Time Management

Procrastination and a haphazard approach to schoolwork are typical of many students. Students may procrastinate because studying is hard work and often boring.  There is really only one way to deal effectively with this problem and that is to establish a study routine and set priorities.  That is what time management is all about.

Study Routines

Advantages

• Keeps time from slipping away.

• Takes advantage of the fact that a habit or routine once formed has a momentum of its own.

• Helps to put the student in the right frame of mind for studying.  Certain times of the day become associated with studying.

• Gives the student the security of knowing she/he has a workable plan.

• Forces the allocation of time for various needs and desires and helps to establish priorities.

• Helps to condition others to your needs and encourages them to work their expectations around your schedule.

Why Don’t More People Use Them?

• Studying is hard work and implementing a schedule is hard work.  Few people become good students just as few people become good managers.  Successful people are in part successful because they manage their time carefully.

• Schedules must be specific and detailed to be successfully implemented.  Most people do not plan their schedules in sufficient detail.  For example starting time, quitting time, and break time need to be specifically indicated.

• Objectives must be realistic.  Change must take place gradually.  Start with an achievable number of study hours and build on your success.

• People fail to clue in other members of the family to the schedule to get their support and cooperation.

• People fail to reward themselves to sustain their motivation.  Establish a specific reward for achieving a specific goal or objective.

• Schedules need to be revised after a trial period.  Eventually a routine is established which is generally workable.

Planning a Schedule

• How many hours per week do you want to set aside for schoolwork?  Most students find it necessary to study 15 to 20 hours per week.

Make a list of other activities you want to work into your schedule and the approximate amount of time you wish to devote to them.

• On a schedule grid, block out time for classes and other activities.  Write all of your appointments for each week down on a timetable using colours to represent different types of activities (e.g. blue = class, red = tests/assignments, yellow = work, etc.).  Now you can see where you have free time.

Consider the following points:

• Daytime is usually more productive than night time study.

• Spread your study time throughout the week so no one day will be too heavy.

• While you will want to use some of your free hours (spares) during the day to relax, the spares provide an opportunity to get homework out of the way, thus reducing study in the evening.

• Get your studying in before your recreation.

• Usually students are able to concentrate for 50 to a maximum of 90 minutes.  Plan breaks accordingly.
  
• Specify the length of your study breaks to keep yourself honest.

• Don’t burn the candle at both ends.  You need a good night’s sleep to concentrate in and out of class.

• Give some thought to where you will do your studying and indicate this in your schedule.  Also try to find a place to study that is well lighted, ventilated, cool and free from distractions.

• Consider when to study what. You may wish to set aside some of your study periods specifically for particular subjects.

• Decide on a specific treat to give yourself at the end of the week if you get in the number of hours you have set for yourself.

• Now get the cooperation and support of your family.

• Implement your schedule for one week.  Keep track of the time you do spend on your schoolwork on another schedule grid.  At the end of the week compare the two.  Make adjustments and refreshments in light of your experience.

• An important complement to your schedule is a checklist of assignments, test, etc.  At least once a week allocate time for the various assignments and tests.

• Early in the semester allot time to term papers and the like.  Set aside part of a holiday, a weekend, or perhaps a block of time each week for each of those term projects.

For more info on Time Management, click on this:

http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/downloads/time_
management_2003.PDF