1. Time Management

2. Outline How busy will you be in grad school? Self-assessment The five categories of time management Tips to increase your efficiency

3. About me… Ruslan Suvorov – Linguistics –rsuvorov@iastate.edu Bernie Anding - Chemistry –bjanding@iastate.edu

4. Time Management and You Graduate School –it’s a job, not an extension of your undergraduate education –you will work flexible hours weekends, breaks, etc.

5. Time Management and You –50% TAs: expected 20 hours per week –RA: expected at least 20 hours per week –Conclusion: you are going to be busy

6. How good is your time management? Questionnaire taken from mindtools.com –scoring –Can be broken down into 5 categories: 1)Goal setting 2)Prioritization 3)Scheduling 4)Managing interruptions 5)Procrastination

7. Goal Setting This is step one… Benefits of goals: –achievements –you’ll notice accomplishments –avoid daily “grind”

8. Goal Setting What should your goals be? Start big, then set smaller goals designed to achieve the large goal –example: Overall goal: Earn PhD –publish 4 papers –serve on a collegiate committee –teach a stand-alone course –It doesn’t hurt to start thinking about your CV already

9. Prioritization You will always have something to do Make sure what you are doing is the most important thing toward achieving your goals Urgent vs. Important Must be done soon e-mails grading reading for class Vital to your career manuscripts thesis These are what help you achieve your goals

10. Prioritization Make “To Do” Lists:

11. Prioritization Make Prioritized “To Do” Lists: 1)write down all the things you have to do 2)grade them A through F A is most important A is not necessarily urgent 3)follow the list doing A’s first, B’s second, etc.

12. Prioritization Make Prioritized “To Do” Lists: YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT COMPLETE YOUR “TO DO” LIST IN ANY ONE DAY …try not to get frustrated

13. Scheduling Now you have goals and priorities… –create a schedule to keep on track Pickle Jar theory –large pickles, golf balls, marbles, and sand –A-list priorities are the large pickles

14. Scheduling in application: –Make daily schedules: 1)identify the time you have available 2)block out time for A-list activities 3)leave time for distractions 4)fill in space time with urgent activities –use planners or other electronic tools if they help

15. Scheduling and don’t forget to schedule BREAKS!!! –nobody is a machine –it makes you more efficient in the long run

16. Scheduling This includes SLEEP!

17. Managing Interruptions Another look at Important/Urgent activities: Try to minimize interruptions Learn to manage interruptions

18. Managing Interruptions Some interruptions are part of the job –Don’t scare interruptors away!! –they will most likely be labmates and students

19. Managing Interruptions Tips: –Rate the urgency of interruptions –Set “available” and “unavailable” time if you have regular interrupters, schedule meetings with them –Learn to say “no” or at least limit the time you give to these interruptions

20. Procrastination The most obvious waste of time Know yourself Learn the steps you need to take to beat procrastination –tips: Do tedious chores (like cleaning glassware) immediately before they pile up avoid unnecessary perfectionism scheduling helps you get motivated

22. Tips Limit Internet usage for non-academic purposes: –LeechBlock for Firefox Disable email notification pop-ups (unless needed) Avoid sitting at the computer all the time Change study/work locations: –Your office, lab, library, MU, coffee shops

23. Tips Turn off/silence your cell phone when at work Work/study with a partner who can prevent you from getting distracted Do not bring work home: –No computer at home –Necessary for those with families; helps motivate you to stay on task during work hours

24. Questions Please fill out the evaluation before you leave