1. SUCCESS MATTERS
Set Priorities
Set your priorities for the term. They may include getting to class on time, finishing papers and assignments by their due
dates, finding a part-time job that fits your schedule, and reading every assignment before the class for which it is due.
Include only items that are important, not everything that you want to do. (For example, if you’ve always had a yearning
to take martial arts class but never got around to it before, it’s reasonable to leave it off your list of priorities.)
To get started, list priorities in any order. Be sure to consider priorities related to your schoolwork,
other work, family, social obligations, and health. After you list them, assign a number to each item
indicating its level. Give a “1” to the highest-priority items, a “2” to the medium-priority items, and a
“3” to the items with the lowest priority.
List of Priorities
Priority Priority Index

2. Now redo your list, putting your number 1’s first, followed by as many of your number 2’s and 3’s to which you feel you
can reasonably commit.
Final List of Priorities
Priority
What does this list tell you about your greatest priorities? Are they centered around school, friends
and family, jobs, or some other aspect of your life? Do you have so many “1” priorities that they will
be difficult or impossible to accomplish successfully? How could you go back to your list and trim it
down even more? What does this listing of priorities suggest about how successful you’ll be during
the term?
Success Matters Set Priorities 5/19/2009