Good morning Son,

You are now 20, with approximately four fifths of your life ahead of you. I want to share with you something I wish my father had been able to teach me directly.

You see, when I was young, we, the family and I, always were working against a deadline. There was no structure about what was most important to do; just that it all had to be done before the beginning of the season or before the garbage man came or before we opened in the morning. Everything was a rush job due right away. What I did not know, was that I was learning how to plan and prioritize and it was not until much later in life that I understood that “Time waits for no man”.

The facts are as follows:

1. There are 168 hours in the week.
2. With 8 hours of sleep per day, you use 56 of those hours per week.
3. Assuming an hour per meal (21 per week) and you are down to 91
4. Classes are 15 hours per week
5. Travel to Work and Work, another 12, leaving 64
6. Hockey Practice, Games & Travel, another 10
7. Leaving a balance of 54 hours per week for primary job, studying.

Based on a 3 to 1 ratio of study to time spent in class, you still have 9 hours per week to experience the college lifestyle.

Here’s the rub, you get sidetracked easily. We all do. Get up at 10 am vs. 7 am, and you lose up to 21 hours per week. Get lost on YouTube, Netflix and Facebook, for 3 or 4 hours a day, another 21 to 28 hours per week (in my case it’s mindlessly watching television). Between those two, 25% of the week is shot. That equates to spending 25 years of your expected lifespan on a bender.

So here is the advice:

1. State you goals.
   1. Keeping your Hope Scholarship
   2. Getting into Med School
   3. Having a few Bucks to Spend
   4. Playing Hockey for fun and camaraderie
   5. Having a good time at school
2. Prioritize them.
3. Determine how much time each takes
   1. Don’t forget Sleeping and Eating
4. Plan your week accordingly
   1. Big Rocks First
      1. Class
      2. Study
      3. Hockey Practice
      4. Work
   2. Smaller Rocks next
      1. Sleeping
      2. Grooming
      3. Eating
   3. Gravel/Sand last
      1. Partying
      2. Entertainment
         1. Facebook
         2. Netflix
         3. Etc.

Move it around anyway you wish but make but make planning a priority.

What is really good about what you have in your life, is balance. There is your full time job; being a student and studying, your part time job; which gives you money and a social outlet, physical activity; Hockey, time for further intellectual stimulus; the Literary Society and time for friendships.

Now all you have to do is fit in the most important parts and stick to the schedule. Remember, as a Doctor, you will be required to schedule in 15 minute intervals. It you think this is tough, wait ’till then.

Love,

Dad