The Most Essential College Survival Skill TIME MANAGEMENT The Most Essential College Survival Skill Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon Points To Ponder College students and professors agree that Time Management is the number one barrier to success in college! Commuting students are more susceptible to time management difficulties than traditional college students. Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon Time Eaters College students identify the following as the primary obstacles to successful time management: Problems with organizing time Procrastination The inability to say NO Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

How Much Time Do You Really Have? Using the worksheet provided, shade in the information relating to your weekly schedule. REMEMBER: BE HONEST! Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon Scheduling Activity Shade in the times that you are in class. Shade in the times that you are at work. Shade in your commute times. Shade in any regular social, leisure, or recreational events. Shade in mealtimes. Shade in your typical sleep times. Shade in any other times that are occupied by activities other than studying. Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon The Results? The remaining time on your schedule is time available for studying outside of class AND for unscheduled tasks. Remember that the expectation is that a college student will study 2-3 hours per week for each hour spent in class! Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Procrastinating: Why We Do It You’re overwhelmed (too much to do and you don’t know where to start). You don’t think you have the knowledge to complete the task effectively. You are unclear about what’s expected. The task seems irrelevant to you or you are not interested in the task. You are afraid of getting a low grade. You set unrealistic goals and can’t meet them. An outside problem is affecting your motivation. Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Strategies For Effective Time Management Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon Creating A Schedule Use a Calendar and/or Day Planner and bring it with you to all classes. Use one schedule for all activities (school, work, home, etc.). Develop a semester plan for all tests and assignments. Add these to your schedule. Plan weekly study times into your schedule. Review your schedule often and plan ahead. Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon Prioritizing Try incorporating a Priority Management System into your schedule planning. One option: The Franklin-Covey Model 1 = Urgent and Important 2 = Urgent, but Not Important 3 = Important, but Not Urgent 4 = Not Urgent and Not Important Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Dealing With Procrastination Organize your time. Develop a schedule and stick to it. Set smaller, more manageable goals. Study when your energy level is highest. Build in extra time for emergencies. Don’t neglect your need for relaxation and fun. Reward yourself for tasks successfully completed. Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100

Don’t Be Afraid To Say No! Our society is a “YES Society.” Academics are often viewed by others as a secondary commitment. SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES AND STICK TO THEM TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR ACADEMICS! Kerin Hilker-Balkissoon SDV 100