Time Management

DTime Management 101

Set your goals and priorities: Review all that you need to complete and decide what is the most important. Be realistic and specifi c when setting your goals. What needs to be done now and what can wait?

Clean your workspace: Keep your desk, room, backpack, and computer clean and organized so you can access needed materials quickly. Devise an organizational plan for storing old materials you may need later so they do not take up space on your desk in your room.

Work with (not against) your personal time clock : Do you work best in the morning or at night? Plan your weekly study schedule around your most productive times of the day. Put easier tasks or errands (i.e. laundry, grocery shopping, sending emails) during nonproductive times, leaving more focused and alert hours for studying.

Organize your classes and due dates: At the beginning of each semester write down all important class due dates (i.e. papers, test, quizzes, projects, etc.) on a paper or electronic planner. You will be able to see when you have busy weeks and plan ahead.

Budget and monitor your time: Take time to your review your plans each day and update your schedule/planner as needed. Overestimate the time needed for academic tasks. If you get done early, move on to something else or reward yourself with a break. Be fl exible and try to allow some time in your schedule for rescheduling. Create a weekly study schedule: Establish a routine for each week. Start with your classes and then add in study time for each class. The more specifi c the better, so pencil in what class you will study and where you’ll be much more productive if you have a set weekly routine helping you know what to work on and when.

Use a planner and to-do lists: Paper or electronic, it’s up to you! Either one is fi ne as long as you use something to record what needs to be done and when. Include your class, work, studying, and organization responsibilities. Also, include your free time.

Know when to disconnect: Turn off your phone or use airplane mode during class and study time to stay focused and manage distractions.

Break larger assignments into small er segments: Take one large paper or project and break it into smaller segments with your own internal deadlines. Follow your plans, stay on track, and avoid working on projects and papers last minute.

Use “hidden” time: When you have 20 minutes between classes or you are waiting for the laundry to fi nish, make use of down time by carrying note cards to study, review notes, or update your calendar and prioritize your activities for the next day.

Learn to say “no, but”: No doesn’t mean that you won’t do something, simply that you are not available at that given time. You may be able to do it on another day or at another time. For example, “I’m not free for a committee meeting tonight, but I am on Monday at 5pm.”