TIME MANAGEMENT

Managing Your Time

• Take control of your time

• Locus of control can be internal or external

• Use a calendar or planner

• Using your memory as your only planner means forgetting important events and deadlines

Using Time-Management Tools

• An academic calendar shows all the important dates specific to your campus

• Make note of important dates and deadlines

• Review your syllabus and create a preview; record daily commitments

• Use different colors for each category

• Create monthly, weekly, and daily calendar views

Tips as you create your schedule:

• Provide details

• Reserve study time for each class and each assignment

• Allow for emergencies by finishing before due dates

• Remember you may have to rearrange your schedule a few times

• Schedule for both work and pleasure

When organizing your day:

• Set realistic goals

• Use waiting, commuting, and travel time to review

• Look for a job that allows you to study during down time

• Limit distracting and time-consuming communications

• Avoid multitasking

• Be flexible, and schedule breaks

Procrastination

Procrastination the habit of delaying something that needs immediate attention

Reasons students procrastinate:

• Fear of failure or success

• Perfectionism

• Being easily distracted

• Difficulty organizing and regulating their lives

• Difficulty following through on goals

• Viewing the assigned task as too far into the future

• Considering the task boring, irrelevant, or busy work

Tech Tip: Get Digitally Organized

• Use a free electronic calendar or phone app

• Select the device and platform you would be most likely to use

• Collect schedule information

• Use collected information to set up your electronic calendar

• Avoid distractions online

• Pick a time every week to review your schedule

• Optional: Add work schedule, other commitments, or social events

Overcoming Procrastination

• Remind yourself of the consequences

• Create a to-do list

• Break down big jobs into smaller steps

• Avoid doing things that might seem more fun

• Find a comfortable place to study without distractions

• Say no to friends and family members, and ask them to help keep you on track

• Shut off and put away all electronic devices

Dealing with Distractions

• Distractions may push you off course and away from your intended goals

• Become aware of what distractions trip you up

• Consider how much control you have over them

Managing Your Energy

• Energy is an essential resource

• Recognize your daily pattern, and establish a routine around it

Strategies to take care of yourself:

• Take time to relax and restore energy

• Take brief naps

• Eat healthy snacks, and drink plenty of water

Establish a Routine

• Establish a study routine based on your daily energy pattern

• Set a specific time to study

• Schedule down time for yourself

Setting Priorities

How to set priorities:

Ask yourself:

• Which goals are important?

• Which goals are most urgent?

• Don’t ignore long-term goals in order to meet short-term goals

• Maintain a term calendar and to-do lists with schedules and deadlines for each task

Find a Balance

Make time for:

• Social and extracurricular activities

• Time spent alone and time spent thinking

Don’t Overextend Yourself

• Take on only what you can handle

• Learn to say no

• Assess your time commitments, and let go of one or more if you are feeling stressed

Stay Focused

If you temporarily forget your purposes for coming to college:

• Remember to finish what needs to be done before you move from work to pleasure

• When you have competing responsibilities, manage the conflict by talking to the people involved

Appreciating the Value of Time

• Time is a valuable resource

• Punctuality is expected in college, work, and elsewhere

Basic guidelines for respectful behavior in class:

• Get to class on time

• Be on time for scheduled appointments

• Avoid behaviors that show a lack of respect

• Make transportation plans in advance

Scheduling

Questions to ask:

• When do I want to schedule breaks for relaxing or for spending time with friends?

• Do I want to avoid returning to my residence hall between classes?

• How much time do I need to allot in order to get from one class to another?

Scheduling Classes in Blocks

Benefits:

• Allows you to cut travel time if you commute

• Might provide more flexibility for other commitments

Drawbacks:

• Falling behind in all of your classes if ill on a class day

• Possible fatigue from sitting in classes all day

• Limited study time between classes

• Risk of multiple exams on the same day