Time Management

Not sure how your time adds up? Time flies - how is your time spent? The following tips may enable you to create a schedule that works for you - not against you.

General tips for time management

• Write it down - make paper reminders so you can't forget.
• Never dwell on failures as you can do nothing about them and they use up valuable time.
• Never feel guilty about those things that you did not do or accomplish.
• Have a light lunch so you don't get sleepy in the afternoon and be non-productive.
• If you have to wait, use the time to relax, plan or do something that you would have had to use other time for, i.e., reading a page or two from a good book. Always have something in your possession to read.

Create a flexible schedule

• Get satisfaction from every minute of the day, since all time is crucial.
• Seek new techniques each day that can be used to gain time. Use other people's ideas - try it - you may like it.
• Evaluate all habits and eliminate those you don't need.
• Eliminate non-productive activities as soon as you realize them.
• Reserve "open time" for targets of opportunity, last minute decisions, etc.
• Allow yourself diversity in your schedule so you will not get tired of your list of activities and reduce your efficiency or effectiveness.

Plan daily activities ahead of time

• Plan in the evening so you can get a good start on the next day's activities. (Make a schedule for your entire day.) I have lost years - one minute at a time.
• Prioritize your activity list each day and do your best to complete them quickly.
• Use your time allotted for work wisely.
• Get up early each day and get a head start on the day before other people begin.

Make goals that can be attained

• Review goal statements daily and identify those activities necessary to accomplish each and do them.
• Keep your long-term goals in mind even when doing the most insignificant tasks. Never lose sight of your goals.
• Revise your goal statements monthly to eliminate outdated ones and add new ones.
• Remember – time passes, will you?

Organizing your time - make a schedule

• Put in a set of daily activities, including eating and sleeping.
• Put in time for classes, labs, etc.
• Put in time you set aside for study.
• Put in time you set aside for recreation.
• Examine your present schedule and note the amount of time actually expended in study and classwork.
• Note the unused - "wasted" hours in each day (hours between classes, etc.)
• Make up a new schedule, setting aside an adequate amount of study time. A general rule for a study schedule is two hours out of class study time per week for each hour carried. For example, a student carrying 15 hours should schedule 30 hours of outside study time per week.
• In setting up your new study schedule, be sure to utilize those between class hours during the day.
• Be realistic and set aside adequate amounts of time for sleep, meals, and recreation.

Implementing your schedule

• Determine ahead of time a realistic amount of time to spend on an assignment and them make every effort to complete the assignment within those limits. Make deadlines realistic.
• Make allowances for interruptions. Make every effort to keep interruptions to a minimum.
• A person's supply of energy will fluctuate from day to day - allow for this.
• Take short breaks during long study periods (10 minutes per hour is realistic.)
• Attempt to study in each subject every day - this promotes learning and retention.
• Study in a particular area until the material is mastered - but take breaks.
• Apply the schedule. Be flexible and make temporary or permanent changes in the schedule as needed.