Riverside City College Counseling Department Time Management Presented by: Riverside City College Counseling Department

TIME MANAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE 1. Do you ever get the feeling that there aren’t enough hours in the day? A. No B. Occasionally C. All the time 2. How often are you right on time for things? A. Always B. Half the time C. Practically Never 3. Describe your week so far: A. Productive B. Fairly productive C. A disaster

What are your priorities? If you fail to plan…you plan to fail!! Everyone is busy – there is no way to do everything. You need to identify what is most important to you. Take a minute to think about what is important to you now and later in life – what will benefit you the most? Write down your top 3 priorities. YOUR EDUCATION BETTER BE IN YOUR TOP THREE!!

Where does all the time go? We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Have you ever wondered how some people manage to get so many things done in a short amount of time? Think about where does your time go and complete the handout – WHERE DOES ALL THE TIME GO?

Identify your “smart” hours Most of us are “smarter” at certain times of the day or night than we are at others. You are smarter when… You can read longer without falling asleep. Ideas come to you more quickly when you are writing or thinking. You are better at communicating your thoughts EARLY MORNING…MIDMORNING…NOON…EVENING? KNOW WHEN YOU ARE SMARTEST AND STUDY THEN!!!

Discovering Peaks and Slumps “Smart Hours” Complete the handout – Discovering Peaks and Slumps. Now that you know your “smart” hours – peaks and your slump hours – use that information to guide your study time selection. When you choose to study is very important!

Weekly Time Management Schedule How to Plan Your Time Complete the handout – Weekly Time Management Schedule 1. SCHEDULE FIXED BLOCKS OF TIME FIRST Start with class time and work time, these times are usually determine in advance. Other activities must be schedule around them. Then schedule essential daily activities (sleeping/ eating). Be realistic about how much time you take for these functions.

How to Plan Your Time 2. INCLUDE TIME FOR ERRANDS The time we spend buying thing, paying bills and doing laundry is easy to over look. These little errands can destroy a tight schedule. Plan for them and allow the travel time. 3. SCHEDULE TIME FOR FUN Fun is important. It takes time to digest new ideas and new challenges. Recreation deserves a place in your priorities.

How to Plan Your Time 4. SET REALISTIC GOALS Don’t set yourself up for failure. There are only 168 hours in a week. If you schedule for 169 hours, you have already lost. (Handout: Where does all the time go?) 5. ALLOW FLEXIBILITY IN YOUR SCHEDULE Leave holes in your schedule. Unexpected things will happen. Think about setting time aside each week for them. You can use it for emergencies, spontaneous activities, catching up, or new opportunities. COMPLETE THE TIME MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST

How to Plan Your Time 6. STUDY 2 HOURS FOR EVERY 1 HOUR IN CLASS Three hours for science. Engineering students may want to allow more study time for some subjects. Look at the time not just the quantity.

How to Plan Your Time 7. AVOID SCHEDULING MARATHON STUDY SESSIONS Whenever possible study in shorter sessions. Three 3-hour sessions are usually far more productive than a 9 or 10 hour session. When you do study in long sessions, stop and rest for a few minutes every hour. Study several subjects and avoid studying similar subjects back to back.

How to Plan Your Time 8. SET CLEAR STARTING AND STOPPING TIMES Tasks expand to fill the time we allot for them. Plan a certain amount of time and stick to it. The goal here is to push ourselves a little and discover what our time requirements really are. 9. PLAN FOR THE UNPLANNED The best plans can be shot by the unexpected. Cars break down, you get sick, you must work more hour, etc. It pays to have a back-up plan. Thinking about this now can save you hours in the future.

The ABC’s of goal achievement- Plan and Prioritize Time Management The ABC’s of goal achievement- Plan and Prioritize 1. My “To Do” list for today: 2. Prioritize using ABC’s (A) Must do- Items with a high value or of all of the items listed it will help you with your goal the most, will give you 80% of your desired success. (B) Medium value, you may need to do but not now. (C) Low value, may give your 20% of your goal. 3. Ask: Will this give me 80% or 20% of my goal? Will it help me achieve my long term goal?

Time Management A’s are 80% technique and 20% brains! Effective Time Management Strategies Semester Calendar Weekly Study Schedule Prioritized “To Do” List A’s are 80% technique and 20% brains!

Develop & Follow A Study Schedule You know what is important to you - review your priorities! You have identified your “smartest” times of the day or night, complete a study schedule that works best for you! You have got to allow for two hours of study time for every hour in class! That has to be a priority if college is a priority to you now and for your future! THE WAY YOU USE TIME OR WASTE TIME IS A MATTER OF HABIT!

HANDOUTS The following handouts are to be used with this presentation: Where does all the time go? Discovering Peaks and Slumps

HANDOUTS The following handouts are to be used with this presentation: Weekly Time Management Schedule Time Management Checklist

Time Management PLAN YOUR TIME WISELY!! THANK YOU! 18