Developing time management skills is a journey
that may begin with this Guide, but needs practice and other guidance
along the way.One goal is to help yourself become aware of how you use
your time as one resource in organizing, prioritizing, and succeeding in your
studies in the context of competing activities of friends, work, family, etc.
First: try our exercise in
time management:
How do you spend your time each day?
Strategies on using time:
These applications of time management have proven to be effective
as good study habits.
As we go through each strategy, jot down an idea of what each will look
like for you:
-
Blocks of study time and breaks
As
your school term begins and your course schedule is set, develop and
plan for, blocks of study time in a typical week. Blocks ideally
are around 50 minutes, but perhaps you become restless after only 30
minutes? Some difficult material may require more frequent breaks.
Shorten your study blocks if necessary�but don�t forget to return to
the task at hand! What you do during your break should give you
an opportunity to have a snack, relax, or otherwise refresh or
re-energize yourself. For example, place blocks of time when you are
most productive: are you a morning person or a night owl?
- Jot down one best time block you
can study. How long is it? What makes for a good break for
you? Can you control the activity and return to your studies?
- Dedicated study spaces
Determine
a place free from distraction (no cell phone or text messaging!) where
you can maximize your concentration and be free of the distractions
that friends or hobbies can bring! You should also have a back-up
space that you can escape to, like the library, departmental
study center, even a coffee shop where you can be anonymous. A
change of venue may also bring extra resources.
- What is the best study space you can think of? What is another?
- Weekly reviews
Weekly
reviews and updates are also an important strategy. Each week,
like a Sunday night, review your assignments, your notes, your
calendar. Be mindful that as deadlines and exams approach, your weekly
routine must adapt to them!
- What is the best time in a week you can review?
- Prioritize your assignments
When
studying, get in the habit of beginning with the most difficult subject
or task. You�ll be fresh, and have more energy to take them on
when you are at your best. For more difficult courses of study,
try to be flexible: for example, build in �reaction time� when
you can get feedback on assignments before they are due.
- What subject has always caused you problems?
- Achieve �stage one�--get something done!
The
Chinese adage of the longest journey starting with a single step has a
couple of meanings: First, you launch the project! Second,
by starting, you may realize that there are some things you have not
planned for in your process. Details of an assignment are not always
evident until you begin the assignment. Another adage is that
�perfection is the enemy of good�, especially when it prevents you from
starting! Given that you build in review, roughly draft your idea and
get going! You will have time to edit and develop later.
- What is a first step you can identify for an assignment to get yourself started?
- Postpone unnecessary activities until the work is done!
Postpone
tasks or routines that can be put off until your school work is
finished! This can be the most difficult challenge of time
management. As learners we always meet unexpected opportunities
that look appealing, then result in poor performance on a test, on a
paper, or in preparation for a task. Distracting activities will be
more enjoyable later without the pressure of the test, assignment, etc.
hanging over your head. Think in terms of pride of
accomplishment. Instead of saying �no� learn to say �later�.
- One is one distraction that causes you to stop studying?
- Identify resources to help you
Are
there tutors? An �expert friend�? Have you tried a keyword search
on the Internet to get better explanations? Are there specialists
in the library that can point you to resources? What about
professionals and professional organizations. Using outside
resources can save you time and energy, and solve problems.
- Write down three examples for that difficult subject above?
Be as specific as possible.
- Use your free time wisely
Think
of times when you can study "bits" as when walking, riding the bus,
etc. Perhaps you�ve got music to listen to for your course in
music appreciation, or drills in language learning? If you are
walking or biking to school, when best to listen? Perhaps you are in a
line waiting? Perfect for routine tasks like flash cards, or if
you can concentrate, to read or review a chapter. The bottom line
is to put your time to good use.
- What is one example of applying free time to your studies?
- Review notes and readings just before class
This
may prompt a question or two about something you don�t quite
understand, to ask about in class, or after. It also demonstrates
to your teacher that you are interested and have prepared.
- How would you make time to review?
Is there free time you can use?
- Review lecture notes just after class
Then review lecture material immediately after class.
The first 24 hours are critical. Forgetting is greatest within 24 hours without review!
- How would you do this?
Is there free time you can use?
Review your ten applications above.
Select one, and develop a new study habit.
Try something you have a good chance of following through
and accomplishing. Nothing succeeds like a first
successful try!
Try the University of Minnesota's
Assignment Calculator
Develop criteria for adjusting your schedule to meet both your academic and non-academic needs
Effective aids:
-
Create a simple "To Do" list
This simple program will help you identify a
few items, the reason for doing them, a timeline for getting
them done, and then printing this simple list and posting it
for reminders.
- Daily/weekly planner
Write down appointments, classes, and meetings on a chronological log
book or chart. If you are more visual, sketch out your schedule First thing in the morning, check what's ahead for the day always go to sleep knowing you're prepared for tomorrow
- Long term planner
Use a monthly chart so that you can plan ahead. Long term planners will also serve as a reminder to constructively plan
time for yourself
Website overview: Since 1996 the
Study Guides and Strategies web site
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