Your Brain's Space is Precious - Use Spreadsheets
The best advice I was given but never used was how to make an Excel spreadsheet.
I had an English professor that spent half the lesson showing us his spreadsheet. At first, I didn’t think it would be much use to me, as I wasn’t worried about planning my projects out since I had it all planned out in my student planner. But I did admire his work and dedication.
I also didn’t think I would be using Excel spreadsheets except only for when I was working at a company. Yes, naïve me thinking that I would fine holding all my plans in my head. Wow, what a dumb idea that was.
Having a made a few of my own recently, I’m now wishing I would have taken my professor’s advice.
I will agree that spreadsheets are scary at first, but that’s if you’re trying to make one similar to the ones an HR department pumps out. Even something smaller like a financial budget can be overwhelming. For me, I started small with a daily task list. I quickly realized that it was going awhile to build my Excel skills, but I was definitely on the right path to an organized work style.
I remember most of my classmates didn’t have a spreadsheet governing their lives, and again why would they? Most of their projects were planned out by their online student planner. However, only ever doing the bare minimum would keep your head just above the water.
The biggest mistake I made was keeping my plans, projects, and due dates in your head. And I wouldn’t want the same for you. Why fill up your precious brain with basic things like dates, plan outlines, and tasks? You need that brainpower to complete those tasks! You also need a paved road to get you to your destination. A spreadsheet can help with that.
Aside from computer coding and writing, the next most important skill to ever have is organization. So, what better way to practice this than having made your own spreadsheets? Put this on your resume to prove just how organized you are. And if you’re super proud of your work, consider showing it off on your LinkedIn profile by making a template version of it!
The spreadsheet will help you the most if when you’re coffee deprived and can’t remember what you’re doing. This thing will honestly give you purpose at the hardest times in the year. No more dead days. Make this 2019-2020 school year amazing. I know you can.
But wait! It’s dangerous to go alone. Here are a few places to start. These tutorials will help make a schedule with the little time you have left of the summer.
Getting Started with Spreadsheets – Data Camp
Google Spreadsheet Formula Tutorial – Life wire
Creating A Macro – Excel Easy