Study Guide

TIME MANAGEMENT: How Can I Get It All Done?

The way you use your time and energy can make a big difference as to how successful a student you are. The tips below will be of help to you in making the best use of your time:

Analyse Your Time

Before you can use your time better, you need to know how you're spending your time now. Keep track of your use of time for a week. Mark your time wasters in the following list:

• absentmindedness, forgetting things
• putting things off
• disorganization, lack of planning
• trouble getting started
• daydreaming
• watching TV
• just too much to do
• talking on the phone
• lack of written goals
• worry, lack of confidence
• preoccupied with my problems
• no daily plan
• too much attention to detail
• perfectionism, trying to do everything perfectly
• indecision
• not using waiting/travel time.

Make a Monthly or Semester Schedule

Check your course outlines for test dates and assignment deadlines. Mark them on your schedule. Fill in any other important dates (including major personal commitments) for the semester.

Make a Weekly Schedule

Put in necessary activities first. For example: class schedule, meals, part-time work, sleep time (7-8 hrs).

Plan study times - schedule your most difficult subjects for the times when you are most alert. Also, try to:

• use between-class time for reviewing notes or preparation for your next class
• take a 5-10 minute break each study hour
• alternate the type of studying and/or subject.

Plan recreation time - schedule approximately 15 hours per week for physical activity and for doing things like laundry, shopping, etc.

Allow yourself some free time - leave some blank space for the unexpected, or for subjects that might require more time than you had planned.

Reward yourself - give yourself a reward for jobs well done and for sticking to your schedule.

A blank weekly schedule is included at the back of this booklet for you to photocopy and use.


Make a Daily "TO DO List"

List tasks to be done according to their priority. Use a system like:

• MUST do
• SHOULD do
• COULD do