Ace time management
- 2. Here’s the truth… Managing your time is not something that you will become a master at, instead it is a continuously developing skill! Think of it as fluid vs. fixed Your weekly, daily, and monthly obligations will change Ex. Exam week vs. not, semester vs. summer, in school vs. working Keep this in mind: There is no ONE RIGHT way to manage time well Keep a metaphorical “tool belt” of resources and ideas on how to stay on top of tasks & manage your time
- 3. Finding HiddenTime Take advantage of time that is usually wasted TIP: Fill in a weekly schedule with everything that happens consistently 7 is a fixed part of your schedule, then look at all the open time/space!! 1. Stay on campus - always carry “pocket work,” so you have something to do if you find an extra moment 2. Look over/reiterate class material immediately after class, during the time you are walking to your car, or waiting for a friend a. Record study information, and play it back when you are getting ready or driving There’s lots of valuable time hidden in every day ** the feeling of not having enough time in the day, usually means you did not prioritize/plan well Prioritizing let’s you focus on the most important things – so even if you don’t get to everything on your list, but only what you deemed high importance, you can look at that as a well managed day! TIP: create a to do list, then put a post it note on top and list the “high important to do’s there”
- 4. Work expands, to fit the time allotted We take as long for tasks as we perceive we have– can you think of an example? In order to combat this effect, set time/work goals for yourself, so you don’t end up working on assignments until the last minute, just because you can Ex. Set an earlier due date for yourself, which gives you time to make edits & review OR not worry about the assignment in the days elaidng up See Time Blocking: A useful technique above!!
- 5. Take time to Save time Keeping in Mind Parkinson's Law, when planning, think about: How long does it take me to complete certain tasks? Where should that time fall into your schedule? Ex. 3 page paper – takes some students 5 hours over the course of 3 days, others 3 hours in one day – whatever it is for you, block that time in your schedule! Take time to organize and plan! Gives you a starting point (where as you may not know what to do first, and then do nothing!) Let’s you look at your day & makes everything in your day/week seem less intimidating Alerts you that you may be stretching yourself thin, which encourages you to have a conversation with someone, assess what’s in your life, cut things out, take a step back and breathe!
- 6. Distractions You will never get rid of a distraction outright, instead think of distractions as something within your control If your phone is a distraction: Use it as a reward to look through for 15 minutes after an hour of work Put it somewhere that is out of sight = out of mind Under a stack of the textbooks/assignments you are working on, in a desk drawer, across the room, in your bag Roommates / family / friends: Work somewhere else! Find another spot on campus, in your Res. Hall building, in your town to complete tasks you are typically distracted from If you go to a different setting, you are likely to get more done in less time, so you can be around them sooner and dedicate time solely to them!