Matching time and priorities How you spend your days is how you spend your life.

What would you say are the activities that matter most to you? Make a list. List everything you do that you value, that is important to you. Include family time, school work, sports, musical practice, whatever is important to YOU.

When you have made your list, assign a number of hours per week that you feel each activity requires. How many hours per week do you want to devote to each one of your important tasks/pastimes/hobbies/obligations?

It might be tempting to say “zero hours” about something you dislike. But thinking practically, we all have obligations that we feel we must handle. For the purposes of this exercise, go ahead and make as realistic an estimate of the time all your needful tasks require.

Okay, so now you have a list of the things you’d like to get done and an estimate of how long each one will take. Let’s call that the Ideal Time Allotment table.

Good. Now, think about how you actually spend your time.

Use the Time Map Template to sketch out for yourself where your time typically goes. Follow the link to show the time map: http://www.cbsd.org/cms/lib010/PA01916442/Centricity/Domain/609/ time%20map%20template%20for%20students.pdf

You might choose to color-code your map. Designate a color for each of your types of obligations and pastimes. Use that color to fill in the hours you normally spend on each.

Now compare your Ideal Time Allotment Table with your Time Map Template. Do you use time in support of your values? Are you making time for the things that matter to you?

Remember: this is about your priorities. If you are spending time on things you consider a waste, you might want to rethink.

These organizational skills resources are available on the Class of 2019 webpage: http://www.cbsd.org/Page/33970 You can always re-draw your time map. Try to use your time so you accomplish your own goals.

If you need additional help with time management or any other organizational skill… Please tell your advisor. Your advisor will contact Mrs. Semisch, who is available to work individually and in small groups with students during advisory.