Time Management Based on: J.R. Thornborough & H. J. Schmidt, The Successful Medical Student. Randy Pausch, Time Management, Carnegie Melon University.

How many of you…. Plan one week at a time Make a “to do list” Complete the “to do list” Can’t find materials easily Are distracted by interruptions Have a set of learning goals

The most important factors to successful study in medical/dental school are: effective organization management of your time. High productivity in medical (dental) school requires: careful, comprehensive planning

The time famine: Bad time management = stress  In average we waste 2 hours per day because of: A messy desk Inability to find things Being unprepared for class Tired/unable to concentrate

Remember that:  Being successful don’t make you manage your time well  Managing your time well makes you successful

Important ingredients to be successful: Set goals Identify priorities Design a realistic plan Implement the plan

To do lists  Break down things into small steps  Do the ugliest thing first  Follow the Steven Covey’s four quadrant to do model

Urgent Not Urgent Important Not Important Covey’s 4 Quadrant to do model

Activity 1: Please complete the quadrant for next week

12 So next week is not in quadrant 1! 3 Why to do it if it is not important? 4 Why to do it if it is not important? Urgent Not Urgent Important Not Important Covey’s 4 Quadrant

What is procrastination?  Avoidance of doing a task which needs to be done

Why do we procrastinate?  Doesn’t happen because you we lazy

How to triumph over procrastination…  Identify: why are you not motivated or enthusiastic goals, strengths-weaknesses  Set realistic goals, deadlines, priorities  Get a calendar  Identify specific things to do  Set specific dates and times  Ask for help  Reward yourself for accomplishments

Tips  Levels of planning: everyday, week, semester, year  Make study plan and stick to it Find a regular place to study Plan regular times to study Plan goals for study before study period Have specific goals for every hour of study Don’t stop study in a middle of a topic Schedule breaks at logical breaking points Immediate correct if plan is changed Plan for exams  Keep significant others of your life informed about plan and changes

Remember!!!  Elect time by choosing not to do other things  If things are not important, don’t do them  Delegate if possible

Last resort!!! Time journal  Monitor yourself in 15 minute increments for one week  Update journal every ½ hour

Activity 2: Time Management Effectiveness Survey Please read each statement carefully and circle the appropriate number to indicate the frequency in which you engage in the following activities. 15 minutes

Activity 3: Design a Weekly Time Plan Step 1: Identify and select activities of daily living Step 2: Schedule daily and weekly activities Step 3: Identify and select study time Step 4: Identify your catch up time

Activity 4: Compare and contrast your plans!  Turn to the person next to you and discuss the similarities and differences of your two plans.  Share the similarities and differences with the larger group.