1. Choosing a study place, dealing with distractions
TIME MANAGEMENT 1
Choosing a study place, dealing with
distractions

2. Why Manage Time
Most people do what they want whenever they can and what they have to do when they must
This type of person responds to rather than controls their time demands

3. Why Manage Time
College students spend approx. 11 hours a week studying
Because school is such a large part of your life it makes sense to try to budget the available time in order to maximize it

4. Factors to Consider - Physical
You all know from health science that after eating the stomach requires a large part of our available blood supply to process the food.
Thinking can also require a large part
of your blood supply. Because of this, studying should not follow eating.

5. Factors to Consider - Physical
Another constraint is sleep. If you are sleepy it may be difficult to concentrate. Studying requires a great deal of concentration
Research has shown the best memory retention comes from studying just before you sleep
The last items looked at seem to stay in the consciousness longer and therefore are more readily remembered later

6. Factors to Consider - Physical
Another factor is energy level. Most of you probably are aware that certain parts of the day seem to be your strongest mentally and physically
Some people say they are morning workers. Others like early
afternoon. Still others are
night people. Which are you?

7. Factors to Consider - Physical
If you don’t know, try to find out by examining how you feel during the day. On your daily calendar, write notes as to when you feel the most energetic
Keep this up at least six weeks, perhaps with notes about how well and how long you slept

8. Factors to Consider - Physical
Another factor may be exercise. Most people do better at mental tasks when they exercise regularly
Some even do better right after exercising even though their energy level has been lowered. Part of the reason may be relaxation. After exercising, it is often easier to relax

9. Factors to Consider - Physical
When you are relaxed, you concentrate better. There are many techniques that will help you to relax when studying (see the presentation on test anxiety).

10. Choosing a Study Place
One of the first things that will help you relax is having a comfortable study place.

11. Choosing a Study Place What distractions are around you
A study place should be chosen with the knowledge that it will make a difference in how well you study

12. Choosing a Study Place
It is important to select a comfortable place to study
Your study place should remind you that
what you are doing is studying
Once selected, stock it with study materials
a dictionary
note paper
pens and pencils

13. Choosing a Study Place Do you study in your bedroom turn off the TV
unplug the telephone
tell others in the house to let you concentrate

14. Choosing a Study Place
Some people like to study at a desk, others on their bed, and still others on the floor. It depends on you.

15. Distractions
Your study area and your study time need to be planned to allow you to concentrate
To develop good study habits,
your studying should be at a
regular time and place

16. Distractions
For some people, music is a study aid. Unlike music, television is a proven distraction
The telephone is an unplanned interruption and therefore a distraction
turn off your cell phone
Family or friends interrupting would also be a distraction

17. How to Use Your Study Time
Now that you have chosen your time and place
remind yourself that you truly do want to study
start removing distractions, both physical and mental
put aside thoughts about anything else
then start with routine tasks first
it is similar to a stretching or warm up routine in a physical task
you should build your concentration
also accomplish the easier homework

18. How to Use Your Study Time
Next, examine your schedule and choose harder assignments. Often students like what they consider easy subjects. But this isn’t always a reflection of how hard the subject is. It may be more because of a great or poor teacher, or even which classes you share with friends.

19. How to Use Your Study Time
Once you have identified your harder subjects, they should be broken up into parts that can be accomplished in the amount of time that you know you can concentrate.