Time Management
Time-management is a vital skill, one that will be necessary inyour chosen career as well as in university. People have different timeclocks and what works for one student might not work for you. Thefollowing are some time-management strategies that you may want to incorporateinto your time-management routine. Test them out to see what works andwhat doesn’t work for you. It might be a good idea to start by monitoringand reflecting on how you currently use your time.
First, some basicstrategies
1. Prioritise! You probably have a lot of things to do, so assess how important and how urgentthe tasks are; then make sure high priority tasks get done first and are notput off on a regular basis. Avoid time wasters!
2. Bespecific! Make the task as specific as possible - we tend to followthrough then, especially if we write it down. For example, instead oftelling yourself “I’ll do some statistics this week,” try “I’ll do 3descriptive statistics problems Tuesday at 7pm.”
3. Smallbite-size pieces! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, so try breaking tasks downinto smaller sub-tasks. Once you’ve started it’s easier to keep going.
4. Use allavailable time! This is an especially good strategy if you are pressedfor time. You don’t necessarily need a block of time in order tostudy. Students often have time between classes, travel time, etc. There are lots of study tasks that can be accomplished in short periods, suchas reviewing main points of a reading or a lecture.
5. Structurethe environment! Find a place, preferably one you can use regularly andwith limited distractions. Make sure you have all the essentials so you have noexcuses.
6. Establisha routine! We are creatures of habit. If you always study at acertain time or day then it will be easier to get into concentrationmode. Also, it is better to study briefly and regularly
7. Usetime management and scheduling tools.
Scheduling Tools andTips
1. Createa master schedule that indicates on a term or year basis whenholidays, exams, reports, essays etc. are due. Post it in a prominentspot!
2. Createa weekly schedule.
o At aregular time, e.g. Sunday evening, plan your week taking into account yourmaster schedule and your study goals for that week
§ Markout commitments such as classes, labs, work, sport, meals, etc.
§ Make alist of your study tasks - be specific and prioritise.
§ Scheduleinto available time slots these study tasks.
§ Considerthe purpose of the study task - if it’s working on an essay,more time will be needed therefore schedule a block of time. If thepurpose is for review, say to scan a text then make use of the odd half hoursavailable.
§ Scheduletasks that may require maximum concentrationduring your “peak” or periods of maximum alertness – this varies fromperson to person.
§ Allottimes for relaxation, exercise, etc. and be sure to include a “Cease study”time that allows time to unwind before sleep (and it gives you something tolook forward to!).
§ Monitorand Evaluate: review what has beenaccomplished at the end of a day and decide if the schedule needs to be changedthe next day.
(See section on Goal Setting for details on how to makegoals).
3. Somestudents work better off a detailed daily To Do List. Again,at a regular time (for example last thing at night or first thing in themorning) plan your day taking into account your master schedule and the studygoals for the week.
4. Whenyou have finished a study task, cross it off your timetable or list.
5. Avoidtoo much detail - a schedule has to remain flexible or it becomes adinosaur! Everyone has different needs; perhaps start with justorganising study tasks for certain classes. Or only list your priorities.
6. Schedulein rewards, for example your favourite TV programme after doing a task you weredreading.
