1. Developing Your Plan for Fall 2002
ECE 1100

2. What are the most common mistakes students make?
Blow off studying
Assume lecture is it (they don’t read their textbooks)
Neglect practice problems
Refuse to ask for help
Don’t form study groups
Procrastinate

3. Optimistic Enthusiasm
The Procrastination Cycle
Guilty Paralysis
I should have started sooner; now I'll never get this done.
Pressured Enthusiasm
There is just time to finish if I start now.
Optimistic Enthusiasm
This time I'll start early
Magical Thinking
I can still do it ... somehow.
Scarlett O'Hara
I'll never procrastinate again!
The Decision
Dr. Doom
Everyone else can do it; what's wrong with me?

4. What do successful students do?
Set challenging and attainable goals
Place studies near or at the top of the list
Complete homework assignments (they practice, practice, practice)
Form study groups
Think about the big picture
Use time management!

5. Why is Time Management So Important? Efficiency Satisfaction
Flexibility
Stress

6. Monthly Schedule

7. Weekly Schedule Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Sunday
6-7 am
7-8 am
8-9 am
9-10 am
10-11 am
11-12 pm
12-1 pm
1-2 pm
2-3 pm
3-4 pm
4-5 pm
5-6 pm
6-7 pm
7-8 pm
8-9 pm
9-10 pm
10-11 pm
11-12 am
12-1 am
1-2 am
2-3 am
3-4 am
4-5 am
5-6 am

8. What is the Rule of 4?
The Rule of 4 indicates that you should spend four times the number of credit hours you are taking on your coursework, every week.
For example, ECE 2317 (a 3 semester credit hour course) meets in class 3 hours a week.
According to the Rule of 4, you should expect to invest a total of 12 hours per week (including class time) for this one class.

9. What is the 60-Hour Rule?
The 60-hour rule is designed to help you estimate the number of hours you can invest in work or other work-related activities, while allotting adequate time for studying.
The 60-hour rule suggests that your semester credit hours x 3 in addition to your work hours per week should add up to less than 60. (Raymond Landis, Studying Engineering, 2000).
Are you taking on too much?

10. Allocation of Hours (16 hour course load) Category Ideal # of Hours
Classes (actual class time) 16
Study
48 (3 hours per class)
Meals
17.5 (2.5 hours a day)
Exercise
3 (3 hours per week)
Sleep
49 (7 hours a night)
Personal Tasks (dressing, hygiene, laundry, commuting) 10
Redshirt 2300 & 2317 Workshops 4
Social Activity/Free Time (extra-curricular activities, partying, etc.)
17.5
TOTAL HOURS
168 (hrs. in one week)

11. Detailed Weekly Schedule-16 hrs.
Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
6-7 am
7-8 am
8-9 am
GET READY/EAT
9-10 am
COMMUTE
S ENG MTH
S CIR.
10-11 am
PHIL
S EM
11-12 pm
S PHIL
CIR. RS WKSHP
12-1 pm
LUNCH
1-2 pm
CIR. EM
2-3 pm
CIR./ENG MTH
EM RS WKSHP
3-4 pm
ENG MTH
4-5 pm
ARTH
S ARTH
5-6 pm
6-7 pm
DINNER
7-8 pm
BBALL
EM LAB
8-9 pm
9-10 pm
S EM LAB
10-11 pm
11-12 am
12-1 am
1-2 am
SLEEP
2-3 am
3-4 am
4-5 am
5-6 am
S ARTH
S ARTH

12. Allocation of Hours (13 hour course load) Category Ideal # of Hours
Classes (actual class time) 13
Study
39 (3 hours per class)
Meals
17.5 (2.5 hours a day)
Exercise
3 (3 hours per week)
Sleep
51 (approx. 7 hrs a night)
Personal Tasks (dressing, hygiene, laundry, commuting) 10
Redshirt 2300 & 2317 Workshops 4
Social Activity/Free Time (extra-curricular activities, partying, etc.)
30.5
TOTAL HOURS
168 (hrs. in one week)

13. Detailed Weekly Schedule-13 hrs.
Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
6-7 am
7-8 am
8-9 am
GET READY/EAT
9-10 am
COMMUTE
EAT/SHWR
10-11 am
PHIL
S EM
S ENG MTH
S CIR.
11-12 pm
S PHIL
CIR. RS WKSHP
12-1 pm
LUNCH
1-2 pm
CIR. EM
2-3 pm
CIR./ENG MTH
EM RS WKSHP
3-4 pm
ENG MTH
4-5 pm
5-6 pm
6-7 pm
DINNER
7-8 pm
EM LAB
BBALL
8-9 pm
9-10 pm
10-11 pm
11-12 am
12-1 am
1-2 am
SLEEP
2-3 am
3-4 am
4-5 am
5-6 am
S EM LAB

14. Know Your Body Concentration Peak Initial Distractions
Concentration Break

15. General Techniques Review Material Within 24 Hours!
Take Regular Breaks
Find a Few Study Areas
View Studying as a Job
Study When Most Alert
Keep Schedules Visible & Use Them
Reward Yourself (Small & Large Goals)!