Time/Task Management Presented by the Tomás Rivera Center Arranged by Dionne S. Dávila

QUIZ Do you estimate how many hours you will need to study each week? Do you meet assignment deadlines? Do you begin working on semester long projects early in the semester? Do you write a daily “to do” list? Do you prevent social activities from interfering with your study time? Do you have a job that requires fewer than 10 hours a week?

QUIZ continued… Do you set specific goals for each study period? Do you begin your study time with your most difficult subject/assignment? Do you complete most of your studying during your most productive hours of each day? Do you treat being a full-time student like a full time job? For every “Yes” you responded give yourself 1point. Tally the total number of points you received.

Results If you scored 8-10 you are doing well managing your time. Maybe you need to change one or two things. If you scored 5-7 you are average and have some good time management skills, but clearly need some more help. If you scored 1-4 you should get a plan together for how you want to address these issues. Good thing for you the TRC can help you with that. Please schedule an appointment with an academic coach!

The goal of time management is to find a balance among all the things you need and want to do.

What’s the 1st step in managing your time?

Types of events worth noting in your planner: Classes Professors office hours and contact info Due dates for papers, projects, presentations, etc. Test and quiz dates Meetings: Advising or mentor meetings SI or Tutoring

The most important word in our Time Management vocabulary is… “NO”

Before Setting Goals Have to determine what you value (What is important to you?) Set priorities Decide what is most important What needs to be accomplished first

Set Goals Setting time/task goals will help you define how you want to live and what you want to achieve. Define for yourself what will be long term and short term goals

Making Your Schedule Work Identify your best time of the day. Study difficult or boring subjects first. Use the same place to study every time. Use the library or a location with very little distractions. Avoid distractions Use “waiting time” to study Treat school as a full-time job -www.ucc.vt.edu/lynch/TMTips.htm

Adjust Your Schedule Every Day Write out a daily schedule at the beginning of each day. As you write out your daily schedule, assess your priorities.

Evaluate Your Schedule Evaluate schedule in the morning Again at the end of the day Re-Assess: a) Is what I’m doing working? If not what do I need to change? b) Divide larger tasks or projects into smaller parts or steps.

Procrastination Avoidance of doing a task that needs to be done Can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, depression and self-doubt Interferes with academic and personal success Not a good indicator of what you are truly capable of So…..don’t put things off…

It’s a misnomer that our talents make us a success It’s a misnomer that our talents make us a success. They help, but it’s not what we do well that enables us to achieve in the long run. It’s what we do wrong and how we correct it that ensures our long-lasting success. -Bernie Marcus Founder of Home Depot