1. UCD Access & Lifelong Learning
Time Management
UCD Access & Lifelong Learning

2. Learning Outcomes Setting Goals Schedules SMART Goals
Long term & short term
Schedules
Weekly Planners
Semester Planners

3. Time Management Self Assessment

4. Setting SMART Goals
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound

5. Lifetick
Web App

6. Planning and predicting completion
Using a "To Do" list
Daily/Weekly Planner
Long Term Planner
Assessment Schedule

7. Weekly Time Table and To-Do List

8. Assessment Schedule

9. Google Calendar
Track your Deadlines with Google Calendar
Web App

10. Effective study schedule
Allow sufficient time for sleep, a well-balanced diet, and leisure activities.
Prioritise assignments and other urgent tasks.
Prepare for discussion classes beforehand.
Schedule time to go over lecture material on the same day.

11. Effective Time Management
Monitor your time – make sure you wear a watch.
Using your phone as a watch/clock can lead to distraction/procrastination.
Reflect on how you spend your time.
Be aware of when you are wasting your time and when you are productive.

12. Common difficulties
Perfectionism
Procrastination

13. Are you a perfectionist?
You are never good enough, whatever you accomplish
You can’t complete work or projects, waiting to get them just right
You must always give 100% or else be mediocre or a failure

14. What is perfectionism?
Self-defeating thoughts and behaviours associated with high ideals, not realistic goals.
Often mistakenly seen as desirable or even necessary for success.
Recent studies show that perfectionist attitudes actually interfere with success.
The desire to be perfect can deny you a sense of satisfaction and cause you to achieve far less than people with more realistic goals.

15. Causes of perfectionism
You may have learned early in life that you were mainly valued for your achievements.
You value yourself on the basis of other people's approval.
Your self-esteem is based primarily on external standards.
You are vulnerable and sensitive to the opinions and criticism of others.
To protect yourself you decide that being perfect is the only defence.

16. Negative thoughts and feelings
• Fear of failure.
• Fear of making mistakes.
• Fear of disapproval.
• All-or-nothing thinking.
• Over-emphasis on ‘should’, ‘must’.
• Never being good enough.

17. How is it maintained? Current triggers
Negative predictions – ‘I won’t do it well’
Unhelpful behaviours,
eg avoidance of writing, constant checking
Confirming negative beliefs
Self Critical thoughts – ‘I’ve failed again’

18. 4 common myths with perfectionism
You can’t succeed without it
It gets you the best results
It enables you to overcome obstacles
It helps you achieve and please others

19. What can I do about it? Realize that perfectionism is undesirable
Perfection is an illusion that is unattainable.
Challenge self-defeating thoughts and behaviours that fuel perfectionism.
Cost benefit analysis of keeping high standards

20. Strategies to move forward
Set goals
realistic, reachable, sequential
Experiment with standards for success
Try for 80% or even 60%
Focus on the process not the end result
Evaluate success in terms of what you accomplished and what you enjoyed
Celebrate and learn from mistakes

21. Common difficulties
Perfectionism
Procrastination

22. What is procrastination?
Putting off a task which needs to be done
It can affect our study and writing
We may disguise avoidance by being very busy
We may find things to do that are interesting or even useful, but don't contribute towards the main goal
It may involve feelings of anxiety, stress, guilt, shame and depression

23. Overcoming Procrastination
Use a diary
Prioritise and set achievable targets
Revise targets
Acknowledge progress
Stay focussed
Avoid avoidant activities!
Reward yourself

24. Procrastination – so what can you do about it ?
Aversion to the task
Develop motivation
Find a personal engagement with subject …
… how can I use this idea ?
… what’s significant in this for me ?
Why have I found this difficult in the past ? …
… how is this different now ?
If I had to explain this to others simply, how would I best summarise it for them ?
So which are You – X or Y.
If time use write on OHP – Ask for audience suggestions of motivators and discuss how successful they may be.
e.g.
Supervision and training.
Conditions – amount and urgency of work
Interpersonal relations
Salary
Status
Job security

25. Procrastination – so what can you do about it ?
Impulsiveness / distractions
Long term vision
‘Unpleasant’ tasks first
Short tasks / short term rewards
Involve others in pay-offs
Mix active / passive work e.g. reading
Study groups
sharing research
teaching learning
So which are You – X or Y.
If time use write on OHP – Ask for audience suggestions of motivators and discuss how successful they may be.
e.g.
Supervision and training.
Conditions – amount and urgency of work
Interpersonal relations
Salary
Status
Job security

26. Procrastination – so what can you do about it ?
Time management issues:
Allow more time for assignments …
… draft, leave, edit, redraft
Simple, realistic, daily goal-setting
Link short-term priorities to long-term goals
Lower your expectations ?
So which are You – X or Y.
If time use write on OHP – Ask for audience suggestions of motivators and discuss how successful they may be.
e.g.
Supervision and training.
Conditions – amount and urgency of work
Interpersonal relations
Salary
Status
Job security

27. Procrastination – so what can you do about it ?
Environmental Factors
Ask library staff for guidance
Find your favourite space
Keep it clear, focussed on one activity
Symbolise it ?
So which are You – X or Y.
If time use write on OHP – Ask for audience suggestions of motivators and discuss how successful they may be.
e.g.
Supervision and training.
Conditions – amount and urgency of work
Interpersonal relations
Salary
Status
Job security

28. More Tips! Schedule 25 or 50 minute blocks of study
Choose a place free from distractions
Plan to use “free time".
Use daylight hours
Schedule a weekly review
Be careful not to become a slave to your schedule

29. Track Your Progress with Pomotodo
Web App

30. Good Organisation Stick to a routine Bribe yourself
Take effective breaks
Avoid/Log distractions
Study briefly and regularly