Phase 1, Me Pretending I Know What I’m Doing
During Phase 1, it was honestly just me trying to survive because I didn’t really know how this class works. I kept thinking I was already behind even when I wasn’t. So I tried to stay ahead because once I fall behind, that’s it, game over. I don’t really have free time, but if I see even a small window, I sacrifice sleep just to keep up. I already know I mess up a lot, so I try to prevent future problems before they happen, even if that means stressing myself out early.
Time Management, or Lack Thereof
Chapter 4, The Citation Police
For my topic I want to talk about 4.10.1 Citations and References, especially APA 7th edition formatting. Professors really love citations. I’m not even joking. You can write amazing content, lose sleep, pour your soul into it, and then lose points because the spacing is wrong or something isn’t italicized. And you’re just sitting there thinking, seriously? I still think content should matter more, but I get that formatting is part of being professional. I just need to accept that references are not optional and that tiny details matter whether I like it or not.
MO-110, Controlled Panic
For the MO-110 Word exam, I already took it. What I did was basically spam C.2.1 to C.2.6 assignments over and over again. If I got something wrong, I redid the video in the course and reviewed it again. I also redid Practice Exams A and B at least 2-4 times each because I didn’t trust myself. I probably reviewed four to six hours before taking the exam because in my head I was already preparing for failure. Somehow I didn’t fail, which honestly surprised me. But Excel? Excel is going to destroy me. I already know it. Excel and I have history and it’s not good.
My Survival Manual
If I want to share something, it’s this. People always say, oh this class is easy, accounting is easy, IS101 is easy. For me? No. It’s not easy. I STRUGGLE. My schedule is literally my survival guide. If I don’t follow it, everything collapses. I use checklists because I need to physically see that I did something. Crossing out tasks makes me weirdly happy because at least I accomplished something that day. I don’t feel prepared most of the time. I just do the work and hope for the best. If I pass, that’s a win. If I don’t, at least I know I tried.
Not only did you not fail, you scored a near-perfect on the MO-110 Word certification exam. Great job!
ReplyDeleteCrossing tasks off a checklist makes you weirdly happy? You might not be the only person :-)
Yes, formatting is important and part of being professional but I value content more.
I know your will conquer MO-210 Excel certification exam like you did with MO-110, Kevin ^_^
Hello Kevin. From what I've seen you're always ahead so you have nothing to worry about, as much as I know saying that won't help much. I tend to probably be the worst person I know in terms of time management. I try to keep a planner going like how it works for some people but I never seem to be able to follow it because I forget the planner even existed. I'm actually little jealous of people who can use them properly and can follow the times they set for themselves. You seem very well prepared and I know you'll do well.
ReplyDeleteHello Izzy, don’t let the planner fool you, I actually move tasks around a lot more than it looks. What works for me is keeping tasks as small as possible because if they feel too big, it’s easy to get discouraged. For example, instead of saying “finish Chapter 4,” I’ll set something like “work on 4.1.1 for 20 minutes,” which feels more manageable. Over time, I think my brain just got used to working in smaller chunks like that. So I’m really not as organized as I seem, just trying to stay consistent in my own way.
DeleteHey Kevin, I find it honestly admirable that you have a set way on how you tackle assignments, the results and your actions show far more rather than the negative aspect of believing you are going to fail or just "staying above water" in my opinion. If anything it proves why you are so far and ahead by willing to do what most others aren't. Just being able to do it and consistently at that shows your work ethic.
ReplyDeleteHey James, I really appreciate that, it means a lot. I think what you’re seeing is more the outcome rather than the process, because behind the scenes it’s honestly a bit chaotic. Most days I feel like I’m just trying to stay in motion so things don’t pile up, not necessarily that I’m ahead, just that I don’t want to fall too far behind.
DeleteThere was actually a time I told myself I’d just check one small thing for an assignment, and it turned into a few hours of fixing details I didn’t even notice at first, kind of like opening one drawer and ending up reorganizing everything. That’s usually how I handle tasks, not perfectly structured, but slowly making things more manageable.
That’s also why I try to reply to blog posts one at a time instead of doing something like replying to 37 people in one day. If I look at everything all at once, it gets overwhelming, but breaking it down bit by bit makes it more manageable and realistic to keep up with. I think what comes across as consistency is really just persistence and trying to stay disciplined in my own way. I do appreciate your perspective though, and I’ll definitely use that as motivation to keep going.
I only have 1 class which is ENG 102 and we usually use MLA formatting 9 revision or edition but hopefully I'm almost done with English classes, I speak it well but the class isn't really my favorite, I'd say I'm more of a Math or even Science guy more. It's fair to say that, Kevin, you are always ahead of the curve which is good, so I'm glad you are punctual that tells me what kind of work ethic you have, I commend that!
ReplyDeleteHi Nicholas, I like how honest your comment is, it feels very natural and not overthought. The part where you said you prefer Math or Science over English made me laugh a bit, because I feel like everyone has that one subject they quietly try to escape from. For me, it is not even the subject sometimes, it is the formatting that comes with it, like MLA suddenly becomes the main character instead of the actual content. It is good though that you are almost done with your English classes, that already sounds like a small victory.
DeleteAlso, I appreciate what you said about being ahead of the curve, even if I do not always feel that way myself. Most of the time I feel like I am just trying not to fall behind rather than actually being ahead. It is like walking on a moving walkway, you are still moving forward, but you are also aware it can speed up at any moment. I think staying consistent matters more than being fast anyway. Your comment about punctuality is a good reminder too, because sometimes just showing up and doing the work already puts you ahead.
Hi Kevin!! I get what you mean about feeling like you’re constantly trying to stay ahead just to avoid falling behind. IS101 can feel like that at first because everything is very step-by-step and missing one small detail can make it feel like everything is wrong. The citation part is real too 😭 APA formatting can feel super picky, but you’re right that those small details matter in school and professional settings, even it’s annoying sometimes but understandable.
ReplyDeleteHey Vania, I get what you mean about trying to stay ahead, sometimes it feels like if you blink you miss something and suddenly everything is marked wrong. I had moments like that too where I double checked everything and still felt unsure, like the system was just waiting for me to mess up one small detail.
DeleteThe citation part honestly feels like one of those things that should be simple but somehow turns into a puzzle. You think you did it right, then one tiny format issue shows up and suddenly it looks like you did nothing at all. It makes sense why they are strict about it, but it still tests your patience.
I think what helped me a bit is just accepting that the small details are part of the process, even if they feel excessive. It is like training your brain to slow down and actually notice things you would normally ignore. Not fun, but I guess useful in the long run.
At this point I just treat it like a game of catching tiny mistakes before they catch me first. Sometimes I win, sometimes the assignment wins, but at least I know I am getting better at spotting those details over time.
Hey Kevin, so far it seems you're doing an awesome job! A class like this is probably tailor made for someone with your dedication; I'm pretty sure you'll complete everything with flying colors. Also I agree, content should matter more and often times many people overlook it and focus on aesthetics, like spacing, fonts, etc....Hope you're having a great semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Jay-R, I appreciate the confidence but I swear it doesn’t feel like flying colors on my end, more like crawling through Excel while it judges me quietly in the background. You’re right though, content should matter more, but sometimes it feels like fonts and spacing are secretly part of the final boss fight. Like you can have the right answer, but if it doesn’t “look right,” Excel just side eyes you and takes points anyway. I’m trying to focus on getting both parts down, but not gonna lie, the aesthetic part sometimes feels like it has higher standards than the actual data. Still, I’ll take your optimism and pretend I know what I’m doing half the time.
DeleteHi Michael. I can relate to your experience with your worry that Phase 2 would be scary. I was also worried about that because we have to memorize how different parts for each function that we use. What part of Excel are you most worried about right now?
ReplyDeleteHi Makell, I relate to what you said about memorizing all the parts of each function because that’s exactly where it starts to feel overwhelming. For me, I don’t really take it slow; I tend to overanalyze everything and end up second-guessing even the steps I already understand. The part that gets me the most is figuring out when to use one function versus another, especially when they look similar but yield different results. It turns into this loop where I want to make sure everything is perfect, and that’s where the panic kicks in. I still put in the best effort I can, but sometimes that pressure makes it harder than it needs to be. I guess I’m just trying to find a balance between understanding it and not overthinking every single detail.
DeleteHey Kevin, it sounds like you got very stressed out in the beginning of the semester and couldn't slow down. Your mind seemingly went into overdrive and there were no breaks, I guess that's part of being pessimistic you didn't believe in yourself when it came to time management and success. In moments like this where you ultimately succeeded way ahead of the class do you consider it a success? Wow I love your planning ahead and holding yourself accountable it's amazing what you can do when you focus. For me sometimes it's better to fall behind to kick myself in the butt a bit. I got too comfortable being ahead and lost sight of the goal.
ReplyDeleteHello Zakiyyah, I really relate to what you said about the stress and the tendency to overthink, because that is exactly where I find myself most of the time. I do not necessarily struggle because the material is too slow, but more because I tend to analyze every step to the point where it becomes overwhelming. Planning ahead has helped me stay on track, but at the same time it creates this pressure to always be ahead rather than simply keeping pace. I appreciate your point about sometimes allowing yourself to fall behind in order to regain focus, although that is something I personally find difficult to accept. My mindset automatically shifts toward staying prepared at all times, even if it means adding unnecessary stress. I think I am still working on finding a balance between being disciplined and not overloading myself mentally.
DeleteHello, Kevin. In Phase 1, I was also trying to survive, for me the class was a little bit confusing at first, and I always used to fall behind. I believe that time management is really important to stay consistent. I also would do the same thing as you use lunchtime or use hobby time to see what I need to do and prepare for what's next. I'm going to replicate your survival manual schedule to have a little bit of time management, get my work done, and prepare myself.
ReplyDeleteHello Mizrain, I appreciate your perspective on Phase 1 because I had a similar experience trying to adjust to the pace and expectations of the course. Time management sounds straightforward in theory, but in practice it requires a level of discipline that is not always easy to maintain. I think your approach of structuring your time and using small windows, like lunch breaks, is a practical strategy for staying consistent. I also agree that having a clear plan helps reduce the feeling of falling behind, especially in a course that moves quickly. In my case, I tried to stay ahead as much as possible, although that often came with added pressure to maintain that position. Your idea of replicating a structured schedule is a strong approach, especially for maintaining long term consistency. At this point, it feels like we are not only learning technical skills, but also developing better habits in managing our time and workload.
DeleteHello Kevin, we have heard so much about and how well you are doing even as you are struggling it's truly amazing. Persevering through the challenge and even getting ahead is no easy task, I tend to back down from the challenge and procrastinate work I find difficult. Finding a method that has worked for you is great, I need to start implementing one of my own.
ReplyDeleteHi Valeria, I appreciate you saying that because honestly it does not always feel like I am doing well, it feels more like controlled chaos most of the time. I agree with you, the hardest part is not really the work itself, it is staying consistent and not falling into that procrastination cycle. What helped me was treating even small bits of time like they matter, even if it is just doing one task instead of waiting for the “perfect” time. Once you start building that rhythm, it gets a little easier to keep going.
DeleteI think you already have the right mindset since you are willing to try something new, and that is usually the hardest step. Just do not wait too long to start, because from experience, the longer you wait, the more dramatic your brain makes everything seem.
Hi Kevin, I really relate to you when it comes to time management — my second blog post is literally titled “Procrastination vs. Me” haha. And I completely understood the part about APA citations… I used to complain so much last semester in my BUS101 class because I always forgot to add double spacing in APA format and my professor would take points off for that. But in the end, I understand the point of making everything look professional and organized (even though remembering it still annoys me lol).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I can’t help but say that I really admire your discipline and the way you organize yourself. And trust me, I’m not the only one who can see the results of all that effort.
And I heard you already passed Excel, right? How was it? I’m taking it this Friday night and I’m extremely nervous :(
Hey Alexandra,
Delete“Procrastination vs. Me” really does sound like a title that deserves its own series, because I think most of us are in that same ongoing battle. And APA formatting, I agree, it feels like it exists just to test how much attention to detail we actually have left at the end of an assignment. I used to think I was done, then APA would remind me I was not.
About Excel, I will be honest with you, it *is* a bit trickier than it looks. It is not just about getting the correct answer, it is about getting it the way the program expects. It is like saying the answer is 4, you might think 2 times 2 equals 4, but Excel sometimes insists on 2 plus 2 equals 4, and if you do not follow its logic, it will act like you are completely wrong even though you are mathematically correct. That is where most of the frustration comes from, you are not just solving the problem, you are also trying to match the program’s thinking.
The good thing is, once you recognize that pattern, it becomes more manageable. It stops being “What is the answer” and becomes “How does Excel want me to think about this,” which is a different mindset but one you can adapt to pretty quickly with practice.
You will do well on Friday. The nerves are normal, but you already understand more than you think. Just remember, Excel is not judging your intelligence, it is just very particular about how it wants to be understood.
You're doing great Kevin, actually more than great, you're basically done with the course. For citations, so far I feel like my professors have been looser with works cited pages than they were in high school. To make it less time consuming, I use a works cited generator and go through it to see if it missed anything (it usually does).
ReplyDeleteThomas, I like that strategy, trust but verify, because those citation generators feel like they work 90% of the time and then casually miss one detail that ruins everything. At this point I treat them like a helpful assistant that still needs supervision. But honestly, if I am almost done with the course, I am going to double check everything like my grade depends on it… because it probably does.
DeleteFirst of all, Kevin, I really love the job you are doing on your blog, you are killing it so far with the layout and design. I really appreciated how real and unfiltered your post was, especially when you talked about time management and thinking you had more time than you actually did because let's be honest that happens to every one of us. The part about Excel made me laugh because I felt the same way but now, I feel more confident about it.
ReplyDeleteIvette, that is exactly how I felt with Excel, laughing a little but also questioning my life choices at the same time. It is funny how something that looks simple turns into a logic puzzle the moment you open it. But I think that is the part that sticks, once it clicks, you realize it was not impossible, just very particular about how it wants things done.
DeleteAvery, I appreciate that a lot, really. From my side it feels less like inspiration and more like controlled panic with a checklist, but I guess that still counts as progress. The balancing part is honestly the hardest, school, work, life, and trying not to fall behind, but I just keep moving forward one task at a time. Also, I agree with you on checklists, at this point they are not optional, they are survival tools.
ReplyDeleteYou're one of those people who likes to be organized; you have a planner, but even so, you feel overwhelmed, as if you hadn't planned enough. Just imagine: I plan what I’m going to do the night before, in bed, before falling asleep—all in my head—but the next day I forget almost everything, literally, and I only do what I remember; then I spend the rest of the day procrastinating until I come up with something else to do. I wish I were as organized as you, but I even forget to do that.
ReplyDeleteJosias, today 05/05/2026 is honestly a perfect example of how disorganized my brain can get sometimes. I literally lost my debit card today and immediately started panicking because now I have to call the bank to cancel it before someone decides to go on a shopping spree with my account.
DeleteThat is why I try to stay organized as much as possible, not because I naturally enjoy it, but because if I do not write things down or keep track of tasks, my brain just throws everything into random storage like an unsorted desktop full of screenshots. Sometimes it feels less like “being organized” and more like damage control for future problems.
Amazing work with your blog post, always inspiring and just the content of writing just makes me want to read again. I feel like you have interesting stories to tell to other people despite how you feel about yourself. The stress does catch up easily but then you prove to yourself and your classmates that there is someone out there trying their best to catch up, only to see themselves way ahead of others. Again, inspiring to see your blog post and your name being mention in every blog post that Prof. Wu does. Godspeed and keep up the good working!
ReplyDeleteHi Desmond, thank you, I really appreciate that. Honestly, I am just trying to survive the semester one assignment at a time while pretending I have everything under control. Seeing my name constantly appear in Professor Wu’s blog honestly feels like I accidentally became a recurring side character in IS101.
DeleteYour post was honestly funny and super relatable 😂 especially the part about sacrificing sleep to stay ahead. And yeah, those assignments always look short at first until you open them and see 20 steps waiting for you.
ReplyDeleteI am going to tell you, sleep deprivation is not a good tactic, but sometimes sacrifices must be made to save your grade.
DeleteHello Kevin, I liked how honest and humorous your reflection was, especially your thoughts on time management and APA formatting. Your dedication to preparing for the MO-110 exam was impressive!
ReplyDeleteHi Tegene, honestly I wish my Excel exam went this smoothly too, but apparently Excel and I are still in a complicated relationship. I guess that just means I need more practice because every time I think I finally understand something, another function appears and frustration rises into me again.
DeleteHey Kevin :) The checklist thing that you told me about when the semester just started also became something I've grown to love! I use a digital one (on my notes app) and I understand the feeling of seeing your list of to-do's suddenly start shrinking and shrinking each time you accomplish something for the day. "I just do the work and hope for the best. If I pass, that’s a win. If I don’t, at least I know I tried." I also a good thing, I'm happy to see that you are being less harsh on yourself.
ReplyDeleteHi Chae, what I learned from your post is that sometimes those numerous tasks and big projects become less intimidating when you break them into smaller chunks. Perseverance becomes easier when you focus on one step at a time instead of worrying about everything all at once.
DeleteHello Kevin. I always love reading your posts, they're very well made! Your "survival manual" checklist is pretty smart, I can see the appeal of physically checking tasks off!
ReplyDeleteHi Scott, seeing something concrete, like a physical checklist and scratching it off, almost feels rewarding to me because it releases that small sense of accomplishment in my brain once I cross it out. It makes stressful tasks feel more manageable because I can actually see the progress instead of just thinking about it.
Delete