Maturing and becoming adults leaves people to manage their own time without as much guidance from others. Between the choices of waking up early for a difficult class or getting extra sleep and enjoying the day, the latter is clearly the more preferable option. Situations like this can make it difficult, but it is possible to stay on top of things without relying on others.

As they get older people are expected to be more responsible. The first step in being self-reliant is knowing that this cannot happen overnight. It takes a lot of trial and error for people to find out what will work for them.

The most obvious way to stay on top of things, and the most recommended, is using a planner. These tools can be a great aid in keeping track of tasks to ensure they all get done throughout the day. Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, explains, “The key is not in spending time, but in investing it.” While the hardest part is usually getting up and actually doing the things on the planner, just writing them down can help prompt someone to do them.

Becoming self-reliant doesn’t mean denying aid from others altogether. Having some help actually makes it easier to adjust to adulthood and keeping up with a schedule. For example, it is very easy to get distracted by technology so handing the phone to someone else for some time can prevent it from being a distraction.

Getting work done is difficult when people enjoy going out. Having to sit down in class for a long time or sit at a desk to do work becomes a challenge. This can be overcome by going out somewhere like a park or cafe to complete work. Fun plans can be made after a class to build excitement for going to class and getting through the lecture.

Concentrating on chores or assignments is just as difficult for homebodies as it is for people who like to go out. A home is a place where people feel safe and relaxed without having to do labor outside of chores. The solution for this going somewhere designated for concentration such as a library or the study rooms at a university.

Between the options of sleeping in and being productive, it is obvious which one most people are likely to choose. However, Covey states, “You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, unapologetically, to say ‘no’ to other things. The enemy of the ‘best’ is often the ‘good.'” No matter how good something sounds in the moment, it is best to think about the long-term effects.