Time Management for Students

Time Management = Self Management You’re not learning how to manage your time as much as you are learning how to manage yourself.

Effective Time Management Helps to reduce stress Helps you get more things done well Helps ensure your well being Helps improve quality of life

Poor Time Management Causes stress at school, home, and at work Long term stress leads to health issues Can lead to problems in relationships Can lead to quitting your job or school

Time No matter how organized we are, there are only 24 hours in a day. All we can actually “manage” is ourselves and what we do with the time that we have. You can change your behaviors, but you can not change time.

Wasting Time What do you tend to waste time on? telephone calls, TV, internet, email, etc. When do you tend to lose time? Interruptions, mistakes, falling behind, waiting, etc. Procrastination? Do you put things off or do “fun” things first?

Try some of the following strategies and see if they help.

Plan Each Day Planning your day can help you accomplish more and feel more in control of your life. Keep to-do lists, the most important tasks at the top. Keep a schedule of your daily activities to minimize conflicts and last-minute rushes. If you’re a night person, at the end of each day, plan for the following day. If you’re a morning person, plan the day ahead as you’re getting started.

Jump Right In Begin each assignment the day it is assigned. Figure out what needs to be done to complete the assignment Figure out when you are going to do each task Give yourself deadlines for each task Don’t fall behind on other assignments while you’re working on “something big” Address your assignments daily

Prioritize Your Tasks Time-consuming but relatively unimportant tasks can consume a lot of your day. Prioritize tasks to ensure that you spend your time and energy on those tasks that are truly important to you. Set a time limit on “time wasters” like internet surfing or reading email, and stick to it.

Establish Routines Stick to routines as much as possible If emergencies arise, you'll be much more productive if you usually follow routines most of the time. If emergencies arise, you’ll have the energy and flexibility to adjust and deal with them effectively, if you follow routines most of the time.

Limit Distractions Turn off your phone (really!) Close out your email (leave an “away” message) Put a “do-not-disturb” sign on your door Turn off the TV, stereo, ipod, etc.

Use Time Management Tools Know what works best for you: a planner, a calendar, an Outlook calendar, your cell phone, etc. Color code tasks for school, work, church, family, and yourself. This helps to visually organize notes on your calendar . Set your technology to send you reminders of events in advance. It is helpful to post a large month-at-a-glance calendar where the whole household can see obligations and deadlines.

Say No to Nonessential Tasks Consider your schedule before agreeing to take on additional work. Turn off your phone, and call people back when you’re done with your tasks. Learn to say “no” once in a while.

Delegate Take a look at your to-do list and consider what you can pass on to someone else. For effective time management, you need to let other people carry some of the load. Delegate chores or errands to your spouse, your children, roommates, family, or friends. Ask for favors, and learn to say “no” once in a while.

Do Quality Work Perfection isn’t usually possible or necessary. Doing work right the first time may take more time in the beginning, but you will save time and avoid stress. Errors usually result in spending time making corrections, or doing something over again, which wastes your time. This can cause more stress, too.

Break Projects into Smaller Tasks Begin your project the day it is assigned! Assign yourself small tasks to do over time to complete the overall project. Work on tasks a few minutes at a time, perhaps a little each day, until you get them all done. This allows time for corrections or changes before the deadline. Work on tasks you dread for just 10 minutes, and once you get started, you may find you can finish it.

Evaluate How You Spend Your Time Look for time that can be used more wisely. When you are waiting somewhere you don't need to just sit there with nothing to do.. Always take something along to do, such as: a report you need to read a checkbook that needs to be balanced notes you need to review or re-write just a blank pad of paper that you can use to plan, make to-do lists, organize your thoughts or assignments, or shopping lists

Take Care of Yourself! Get plenty of quality sleep Maintain a healthy diet Exercise regularly A healthy lifestyle: improves your focus and concentration, improves your efficiency so you complete your work in less time. avoid illness and stay well so you can be your best

Take a Break When you need a break, take one. Take a walk, and then get back to work. Do some quick stretches at your workstation, and then get back to work. Take a “ten minute vacation” and then get back to work. Take a mental health day to rest and re-energize, but plan it appropriately. Take a Break

How Do You Spend Your Time? Use the following link to determine how you spend your time on daily activities. This exercise may help you find more time in your schedule for studying. http://www.studygs.net/schedule/index.htm

Daily Calendar Example Monday Activity 7:00 – 7:30 Shower, get dressed, eat breakfast 7:30 – 8:00 Drop kids off and drive to school 8:00 – 8:50 English class 9:00 – 9:50 Math class 10:00 – 12:00 Study in library 12:00 – 12:30 Lunch with friends 12:30 – 1:20 Psychology class 1:30 – 3:00 Study in computer lab (online class) 3:00 – 4:00 Pick up kids, get groceries, get home 4:00 – 5:00 Fix supper, help kids w/homework 5:00 – 6:00 Eat with family and clean up

Monthly Calendar Example 1 2 Ecology Club noon 3 8pm Study Group 4 5 Research paper due! 6 7 Oil Change 9:00 8 Choir practice 9 10 11 12 13 Math test! 14 15 16 Presentation in BIO class! 17 18 Psych test! 19 20 21 Birthday party 1:00 22 23 24 25 26 Dr. appt. 11:00 27 28 Hair appt. 2:00 29 30 31

Links http://www.studygs.net/timman.htm http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/col lege-success/116.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/time- management/wl00048 http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newH TE_00.htm