Time management is key to success in college!
Starting college can be an exciting new venture, however, it can also be demanding, especially on your time. You may find yourself thinking, “How am I going to do all this?” Well time management is the key.
Time is a valuable resource, and many of us think we have too much to do and never enough time to accomplish everything on our plate. However, the reality is that we all start out with the same amount of time (e.g. 24 hours each day). How we use that time is what counts. While some events/activities, such as work schedules, etc. may be externally controlled many are internally controlled. Internally controlled events/activities allow us to make choices, and so we can over extend ourselves or learn to manage our time wisely.
Good time management consists of:
Setting goals that can be realistically accomplished
Assuming responsibility for your own use or abuse of time
Time management will help you:
Develop priorities (a list)
Avoid procrastination/wasting time
Improve your ability to be productive
Reduce stress and anxiety
So how do we go about developing a good time management plan? Here are some tips that may be helpful:
Utilize a monthly calendar
Take a look at your syllabus for each class to identify when assignments are due
Factor in your class schedule, work schedule, family and other obligations, commitments, appointments (don’t forget about things like meal preparation, transportation, children’s activities, etc.)
The next step is setting up your monthly calendar:
Transfer all due dates to the calendar for
Estimate the time needed to complete each assignment
- On scrap paper break each assignment into a series of manageable steps and estimate the time needed for each step
- Tentatively reserve a block of time for each on your monthly calendar (will define further on weekly planner)
Schedule study and reading time
- Tentatively schedule at least 6-9 hours per week for each class on your monthly schedule (rule of thumb is 2-3 hours for each course credit)
- Tentatively schedule extra hours of review time for the week before each exam on your monthly calendar
Schedule time for other commitments
- Write down any scheduled appointments on your monthly calendar
- Write down other appointments as you schedule them on your monthly calendar (see handout of sample calendar)
Now it’s time to set up your weekly planner:
Set aside time each week to complete your weekly planner
You will need the following:
- Your completed monthly calendar
- Blank weekly planner for the upcoming week
- Your class schedule for the upcoming week
- Your work schedule for the upcoming week
- Other appointments/commitments for the upcoming week
List the following fixed time commitments for the upcoming week on your weekly planner:
- Getting up time (including shower, coffee, etc.)
- Any other fixed time commitments
- Look at your monthly calendar – “what do I need to do for school this week”
- Write down all information on a scrap of paper
- On the same scrap of paper add anything else you need/want to do (e.g. house work, socialize, watch your favorite TV show, etc.)
- Decide which are high priority items and mark with H
- Decide which are low priority items and mark with L
- Review remaining items. If they are medium priority mark with M.
- Schedule time for H items
- Schedule time for M items
- If time permits, schedule L items
Here are some additional tips for effective time management:
Eliminate unnecessary tasks from your schedule
Don’t over commit – learn to say NO
In order to achieve an effective time management plan, it is important to weed out and eliminate unnecessary projects/tasks to focus on more important ones. This automatically frees up time for priority items and reduces overall workload. In addition, perfectionism can add to the workload as more time is spent trying to achieve perfection. Just do the best you can.
Planning study time is also an important part of your effective time management plan.
- Plan at least two study hours for every hour spent in class
- Study difficult (or boring) subjects first
- Avoid scheduling “marathon” study sessions
- Know your best time of day
- Use idle waiting time (such as time between classes, etc.)
- Set a regular study time
- Choose a place with minimal or no distractions
- Use the library, Academic Support Center, etc.
- Stand or take a brief walk (as needed) to remain awake and alert
- Change location if you start to slack off
- Make an agreement with family members about study time
- Avoid noise and other distractions
- Notice how others may monopolize your time
- Hang a “do not disturb” sign on door
- Ask yourself, “What is the one thing I need to accomplish today?”
- Ask yourself, “Did I just waste time?”
- Ask yourself, “Am I beating myself up?” (be forgiving to yourself)
- Ask yourself, “Can I do just one more thing?” (stretch yourself)
For more information, please see online PowerPoint presentation on Study Tips.
In summary, remember it’s not how much time we have, but how we use it. There will always be 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, etc. It’s important to set realistic goals for ourselves and establish priorities. To set up an effective time management plan, it is helpful to use a calendar and weekly planner. Transfer all dates, assignments, appointments, and commitments onto the calendar/weekly planner and follow the above time management tips.
Please feel free to contact us @ 508-678-2811, ext. 4450 with any questions and/or if you need any additional support.
janainaart
snowghoul
origamiaround
yousharknotpass
annaxmalina
jacobvanloon
dailybridgerton
germansingergirl