1. The A, B, C’s of Time Management
Summer 2013

2. Getting More Miles Per Gallon
Think of the hours in your week as the gas in your car
You all have the same size gas tank yet…..
Some get much further on their tank of gas than others
To get more MPG you have to work smarter not harder

3. A = Attendance
Every hour of time you spend in class saves you 3 hours of study time
If you’re going to cut corners, don’t skip class

4. B = Budgeting Time We all get 168 hours per week
Being a student is a full time job
Keep a calendar to plan out all your weekly activities
Classes
Projects
Clinicals
Reading
Study time (2-3 hour blocks)
Exams
And all other outside commitments
Break projects into small pieces
Chunking – breaking projects into small pieces

5. C = Clutter Procrastination, clutter, and confusion go together
Don’t put things ‘down’ put them ‘away’
The semester leaves no time for procrastination
Eliminate distractions
Do one thing at a time
Clear study area of clutter
Use your wastebasket

6. D = Dirty Jobs
Look at ‘to do’ list for the day and circle the thing you dread doing most -----
Do it first
If you postpone it will hurt your concentration all day and then you’ll procrastinate till tomorrow

7. E = Efficiency vs. Effectiveness
Efficiency is the process of doing something right
Effectiveness is doing the right thing the right way
Decide what needs to be done and do it the right way
Tips for personal effectiveness
Meet basic human needs
Plan frequently
Take breaks
De-clutter and organize work area
Study in quiet place without interruptions
Handle papers only once
Basic human needs – sleep, food, water

8. F = Filing System Be organized – don’t waste time looking for things
Disorganization is a big time waster
Have one notebook for all classes or designated folders for each class.
Think of your brain as a filing system
You can’t just throw things in the general direction of your brain and expect to find it in the file later

9. G = Goal Oriented Identify your goal and write it down
Write down ways to reach your goal
Focus your time and energy on that goal for maximum effect

10. H = Hang In There
Finish the work at hand no matter how attractive doing the laundry becomes
Active avoidance and passive procrastination cost you lots of valuable time
Reward yourself for completing your task at hand

11. I = Investments
Think of class attendance, library time, and study sessions as deposits
Repeated small deposits add up to big rewards (A’s on exams) and store information into long term memory
Cramming goes to short term memory only

12. J = Jot It Down Make lists and use them
Make a list each evening for the following day
Make it manageable and realistic
Rank in order of importance
Will keep you organized and help you avoid wasted motion

13. K = Knocking Off
When you reach a point of diminishing returns stop doing what you’re doing.
It’s a waste of time to go for perfectionism

14. L = Log
Keep an activity log (q 15 minutes) for 3 days to see how you spend your time
Tells you about
Interruptions
How organized you are
When you are most productive
How you waste time
Everyday make a color coded prioritized plan
To set priorities, Do now, Do later, Do whenever, Don’t do, Delegate

15. M = Multitasking Cook the week’s meals in one day and freeze
Barter services
Don’t procrastinate = more weekend and evening time
Study at school immediately after class
Avoid busywork – don’t major in minor activities
It gives a false sense of accomplishment
Don’t take pride in your efforts – Take pride in the results

16. N = No
Learn how to say it
The greatest time saving device ever invented

17. O = Other People’s Time
Know how to divide chores and delegate everything you possibly can
If relying on other people’s time plan far ahead

18. P = Prime Time
Everyone has 2-4 hours each time when they are in top form
Find your prime time and protect it – don’t procrastinate
Use it for high priority items that demand concentration and focus
Procrastinate due to difficult material and fear of failure

19. Q = Questions
Several times each day ask yourself the following questions:
Is this the best use of my time right now?
Is this activity helping me achieve one of my goals?
If I didn’t do this, what would happen?

20. R = Regrets
Don’t waste time mourning what might have been or wallowing in guilt or self pity
Learn how to acknowledge the disappointment and move on to the next opportunity

21. S = Study Tools Have everything you need to study handy Books Notes
pens / paper
Resources
etc

22. T = Tomorrow Tomorrow never comes DO IT TODAY!
Sign at gas station says “free gas tomorrow” so you go back the next day and the sign still says “free gas tomorrow”

23. U = Urgency Urgent things are not always important
Important things are not always urgent
Ignore the pseudo-important things that clamor for your attention

24. V = Vacillating Be decisive
If you give yourself a deadline – stick to it
If you decide your study time is 2:00 – 4:00 then do it.

25. W = Wasters Identify Time Wasters
Children, family, spouse, friends, phone, etc.
Plan breaks for this socialization
Personal Disorganization
Use lists, calendars, planners
Downtime
Keep notebook, study materials handy at all times
What are your time wasters?

26. X = Xeroxing Keep copies of all your important papers and assignments
Photocopy anything you may want to carry with you for quick moments of time to study

27. Y = Yakety Yak
Don’t let the phone or a drop in visitor ruin your study time.
“I can’t talk right now but I’ll call you back at 9”
Leave message on your phone “I’m unavailable until 6 and I’ll get back to you then”

28. Z = ZZZZZZZ’s Schedule rest and relaxation periods
Get the sleep you need so you are sharp and thinking clearly

29. Now…..
Let’s plan your semester!