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Time (and Stress) Management

In order to manage your time you will need to:
  • Find out where you are spending your time now
  • Recognize time robbers
  • Learn to plan your time
  • Learn to delegate
  • Take time for yourself
Where are you spending your time?

    We all get only 24 hours within each day – no more – no less. Think of these 24 hours as a whole pie. If one activity takes too large a slice, there will not be enough for others. If something unexpected happens (company drops by) a slice of pie is again consumed. Soon, the pie is gone but you still have more to do.

Track your time for a week!

Write down everything in 15 minute chunks. EVERYTHING!! Before you can manage your time you need to find out how you are spending it. The following chart is an example of what you might use to monitor your time.

Monday       00/00/07

Tuesday       00/00/07

Plan Monitor Plan Monitor
7:15   7:15  
7:30   7:30  
7:45   7:45  
8:00   8:00  
8:15   8:15  
8:30   8:30  
8:45   8:45  
9:00   9:00  
9:15   9:15  
9:30   9:30  
9:45   9:45  
10:00   10:00  
10:15   10:15  
10:30   10:30  
10:45   10:45  
11:00   11:00  
11:15   11:15  
11:30   11:30  
11:45   11:45  
12:00   12:00  
12:15   12:15  
12:30   12:30  
12:45   12:45  
1:00   1:00  
1:15   1:15  
1:30   1:30  
1:45   1:45  
2:00   2:00  
2:15   2:15  
2:30   2:30  
2:45   2:45  
3:00   3:00  

Beware of Time Robbers

  • Recognize what they are and take steps to avoid them!

  • Perfectionism

  • Trying to be superhuman and accomplish everything.

  • Feeling guilty about not being able to “do everything.”

  • Preoccupation

  • Doing things out of habit whether they need to be done or not

  • Repeated activities

  • Day Dreaming

  • Poor Planning

  • Lack of goals, objectives and priorities

  • Procrastination

  • Stress – Worry – Frustration

  • Waiting Time

  • Appointments

  • Meetings

  • Friends and Family

  • Interruptions

  • Telephone

  • Drop-ins

  • Television

  • Family and job demands

  • Negative Factors

  • Attitudes and beliefs

  • Making excuses

  • Undeveloped communication skills
Ten Tips For Better Time Management
  1. Make class time your best study time.

    Come prepared

    - No time to read the whole assignment? - at least survey it
     
    - Review notes from previous class
     
    Listen attentively
     
    - Paraphrase what the professor says in your own words

  2. Make a daily list.
     
    Prioritize the items
     
    - Keep it short - 5 or 6 items - both academic and personal
     
    - Set small specific goals - i.e., read 5 pages in Psychology chapter
     
  3. Make a weekly schedule
     
    -Include all classes, work and extracurricular activities, housekeeping duties, sleeping and eating

    -Blank spaces to fit in necessary activities as they come up.

    -Schedule study time at a ratio of two hours of study per hour of class .
     
  4. Use your daylight hours and minutes.

    Stay on campus
     
    - Find a quiet place to study
     
    - Ease yourself into material by pre-reading first
    Set up blocks of time for study

    Use time in between classes

    - Review notes right before class

    - Review notes right after class

    - Memorize important terms (3 x 5 cards)

    - Make a list

  5. Make a semester calendar.

    Wall or desk calendar for major exams, due dates and meetings

    Pocket calendar - reminder of classes, appointments, meetings, errands

  6. Don't procrastinate.

    Don't let questions about material accumulate

    Instead of trying to get it perfect - just do it

  7. Concentrate on one thing at a time.

    Be active in what you are doing at the time

    Plan and take study breaks, study 30-40 minutes with 5-10 minute breaks

  8. Use your weekly schedule. Learn to say "NO"

  9. Set deadlines and reward yourself.

  10. Be realistic in your expectations of yourself.

    Brought to you by:
     


Barbara Conner
Learning Specialist
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