Newswise — Time Management• After the first week of class prepare a term calendar. Get a large calendar that divides the term into months. Write in important dates such as due dates for major projects, assignments, papers, quizzes, mid-terms and final exams. Remember to include the value of each of these tasks - for example 30% of you total mark. This term schedule will give you a visual overview of all the requirements for all your courses. Post the schedule in your study area so that you can review it regularly.
• Look ahead two or three weeks to see what assignments are coming up. If you have a major project due in that time, divide it into subtasks and plan to include some of those subtasks in your schedule for the upcoming week.
• Plan your time. Using a weekly planner with 30-minute or 1-hour blocks. Specify in each block what task you arecompleting. This keeps you more accountable than a running “to-do” list.
• Prioritize. At the beginning of each week make a long list of all the things you should, want to, or have to do in the upcoming week. Refer to your 4-month calendar. Go through the long list and prioritize your goals for the week. You could code your goals according to the following system:
A - top priority - must doB - medium priority - good but not essentialC - low priority - can survive without them
If you consider your academic work a full-time commitment, you should be giving priority to your studies, so going to class, studying, and working on assignments will be on your A list.
• If you are taking a full course load and are working more than 15 hours/week, you may find yourself overextended. Eventually, something will give. Either your studies will suffer or your job will suffer or you will suffer burn out. You have a choice - cut back on the number of hours you work or cut back on your course load. Be prepared to live with the consequences of your choice.
• Monitor your time management. Set aside time at the end of each week to reflect on how well your schedule worked. Ask yourself, “Am I studying when I said I would? Did I meet all my goals?” If so, organize your schedule for the upcoming week.
If not, ask yourself, “Why didn’t I meet my goals?”- Did I set unrealistic goals?- Did I waste time on trivial matters?- Did I procrastinate and not do the tasks I said I would?
Studying • In general you should allot two hours of study time to every one hour of lecture time. For example for a course with three hours of weekly lecture you should dedicate six hours of “study” time. Studying can include reviewing lecture notes, completing course readings and starting assignments.
• Schedule time for reviewing notes as soon as possible after a lecture, preferably within 24 hours.
• Work on your most difficult subjects during your peak energy times when your mind is fresh.
• In a long study session, build in time for short breaks. Get a feel for how long you can work before you need a break. You may need to work for shorter periods when you are doing something that requires a high level of concentration. When you take a break, do something that has a definite end. Don’t try to fool yourself into thinking that you will watch television or surf the Internet for a while; it is too easy to lose track of time this way.Resources
• Familiarize yourself with the academic and student supports on campus. By becoming familiar with what is available you will know where to go for help as soon as a problem arises.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, these services were designed to help students - let them help you!
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