0. Time Management
Welcome to the LIFE Center’s time management module. This module provides training for building skills in time management.

1. Introduction Are you constantly at war with your assignment deadlines?
Do you often procrastinate?
Do you underestimate the amount of time an assignment will take to finish?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you could benefit greatly from working on your time management skills.

2. The Importance of Time Management
You may ask yourself, why should I manage my time? I do well in school, so I do not need to know how to manage my time effectively. It doesn’t really matter whether you are doing well in school or not. One of the most important skills for new college students is being able to manage their time effectively.

3. Benefits of Managing Your Time
More time for leisure activities
Reduces stress of uncertainty/decision making
Be happier and healthier
More productive while working
Accomplish more with less effort
Easier to balance activities
Improve quality of life

4. How well do you use your time

5. Time management process
Here are some general steps to help you to manage your time effectively

6. Setting Goals possible personal positive
Can use goal setting in all areas of your life
Gives you a head start on tasks
Your goals should be:
positive
personal
possible

7. Setting Goals Set long term and short term goals
Break down goals into smaller steps to make them easier to manage
Do not use vague goals
Use objective & quantitative measures
Good to stay on track but remember goals can change
(Remember: Goals do not have to be isolated or unrelated, there may be some overlapping.)

8. Prioritize your Time What tasks are most important?
Task’s consequences for not completing on time
How long will each task take?
What things need to be done first?
Upcoming deadlines & obligations
What tasks can be done simultaneously?
Writing a report while riding the train
How much flexible time do I have to allow for unexpected events, assignments, and activities?

9. Prioritize your Time Urgent/Important matrix Urgent and Important
Important, But Not Urgent
Urgent, But Not Important
Not Urgent and Not Important

10. Making a Plan Set up a semester plan
Based on known priorities, make a written plan
Set up a semester plan
Start by placing in all class and lab times on your schedule
Next put in all other time requirements such as work, meetings, gym, hospital, etc.
Mark all projects and exams due dates.

11. Example Plan

12. Remember, do not over plan,
Revisit and Revise your Plan
Last step is to revisit and revise your plan
Ask yourself, am I making progress?
How have I spent my time?
What tasks was I unable to complete?
What have I done to waste my time?
Was procrastination a problem for me?
Remember, do not over plan,
just take an action and adjust your goals.

13. Organize your time How to Stay Organized in College
Try several time management systems until you find one that sticks
Keep your room clean
Stay on top of your responsibilities
Spend a little time each week reorganizing
Plan ahead to stay ahead
Take care of your physical, emotional, and mental health

14. Avoid Procrastination
“Procrastination is the thief of time,” said Edward Young, “So stop procrastinating and stick with your schedule”.
You should understand why you procrastinate. Two common reasons for that:
No clear deadline
Not enough resources
Wonder where to start
Feel overwhelmed
Lack of motivation
Scared of failure

15. Procrastination will lead to:
Increased stress
Poorer performance

16. Time Management Tips
Monitor your time (Spend a few days monitoring your time to find out where it is being used)
Where Does the Time Go? Try This Time-Use Tracker
Use waiting times (Waiting times are the time you spend in between meetings, classes, events, etc.)

17. Time Management Tips
Do not forget to budget in time for sleeping, eating, & exercising
Try to leave some flexibility in your schedule
Visualize long term success

20. Words from the Wise
Harvey Mackay: Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go.
Steve Jobs: Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.
Benjamin Franklin: You may delay, but time will not.

21. Additional resources of Time Management by Madison Jones
Time Management for Students – Article featuring basic time management advice for college students
One of These Days I'll Stop Procrastinating – Ailments for procrastination
Manage Your Work, Don't Let It Manage You – List of tips that include seven suggestions for managing time
How to Avoid Distractions While Studying – Article on avoiding distractions
Effective Study Environments – Advice for creating an effective study environment
The "Big Five" Time Management Tips for Students – Plan, assess, organize, prioritize, and schedule your activities.

22. Additional resources of Time Management by Madison Jones
8 Time Management Tips for Adult College Students – For those adults coming back to school, a time management refresher may be in order.
Key Skills for Time Management – This is a great guide for young people entering the workforce or students.
Students Can't Resist Distraction for Two Minutes – This article talks about the myth of multitasking.
Using a Day Planner – This is a guide for using a planner, which is highly recommended for students.
Study Tips – This article deals with the length of time it is recommended to take breaks, how long and when they should be, as well as how to get into a routine for studying.

23. YouTube resources about Time Management
Time Management – The last lecture by Randy Pausch before his death.
How To Get More Time In Your Day- Video to help you manage your time.
Time Management Mistakes: Strategies for Improving Your Productivity- Video to help you avoid common mistakes on managing your time
The Secret Powers of Time –Video from RSA Animate

24. Now, let’s go to do the right things.