The Importance of Proper Planning

 

Image Credit: Enviso

By Olufunmilola Oludare 

The phrase “failing to plan is planning to fail” has become almost cliché but it is not untrue or deniable. Planning is the basis of achievement, it guides actions and influences outcomes. Without it, the best intentions may falter. Therefore, thoughtful preparation is important to turning aspirations into tangible results.

Planning can be defined as the process of thinking and preparing in respect of an event or activities designed to achieve a particular or set goal. Planning is usually but not always based on foresight, vision, structure, delegation of tasks and so on. Essentially, it is the fundamental capacity required for a mental time travel. Specifically for students, the importance of proper planning can not be overstated, it is the time thread of the average student. Talk about attending social events, classes, group meetings, tutorials, church or mosque services and even observing leisure, planning is at the very center. Many a time, students struggle with planning and prioritizing when it comes to academic work, religion, leisure and extra curricular activities. 

However, planning isn’t always straightforward; it exists in shades of grey. Planning is important but we face challenges in executing our plans. Unexpected events, sudden tests, illnesses, or financial constraints can easily disrupt the best-laid strategies. This shows that flexibility is just as important as preparation in sorting life’s uncertainties. I speak as one of you, nothing disrupts your plans like lack of funds; it demotivates you, disorients you and renders you absolutely indifferent to the things you have to do. Besides, na who chop dey plan. I speak for myself now, whenever I'm hungry, my productivity dwindles. 

This is to say that planning and being productive is not a fanciful wish, it comes with “a lot of what ifs” and “how's”. However, this is not the peak of the epic. We can not always control the outcome of situations but we can always choose how to act and react towards these uncertainties. This point is where planning, scheduling and preparations come in. 

Students also make the mistake of putting their eggs in one basket, i.e, failing to make allowance for a plan B when plan A has not shown prospects of full feasibility. This is not to say that a plan B is always needed but, a plan B might be unavoidably used whenever A has tendencies to fail. 

In respect of examinations and tests, planning to study might be very dicey; sometimes your brain is tired and can't read further and beyond the 6 hours you planned to utilize and at times, you're burnt out and just need to rest. It is all understandable, if planning came with a 100% success rate, the world will be a better place. My message to you is this: you can't afford to wing it through school and life in general, you must have a blueprint for guidance and direction. And if things change along the way, it'll be in the record that you tried and gave it your best.

In all, planning is essential for proper but not necessarily routine living; it gives foresight and vision. Being caught unawares may happen once in a while but, it won't be your default setting, you can always say “I foresaw this’, ‘ expected this” not always “I didn't see this coming, I never expected this”. Now that exams are approaching, you're presented with a few more weeks to plan and prepare. Do what you need to, don't wait, don't slack and success will be yours. Happy Examination in Advance!