1. Dr Michelle Reid, University of Reading ADSHE Networking Day 17.06.10 Helping students to manage their time effectively

2. www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice Overview of session What time management challenges do university students face? 3 Ps – three crucial areas of time management Sharing strategies Useful resources – LearnHigher website, video resources and year planners

3. www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice Avoiding your time sponges On a post-it note: Write down one of your time sponges (e.g. facebook, emails, talkative colleagues) Pass the post-it to someone next to you and they write a suggestion for avoiding that distraction

4. www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice Time management at university Modular degrees - simultaneous deadlines 2 nd / 3 rd year can be more challenging transitions More outside commitments - paid work, desire to enhance CV Less independent - more reliant on parents Travel time - commuting / living at home Wider variety of distractions - online time sponges Almost all students have to adapt their strategies

5. www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice LearnHigher research into student time management Planning methods need to be flexible Prioritising often more of an issue than planning Procrastination causes greatest anxiety Formats need to be visual - help students visualise their time usage Flexibility and multi-use more important than being technologically advanced Peer advice and strategies often more engaging

6. www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice Planning Being informed (knowing deadlines, where to find info, visible plans) underpins planning Often students believe planning must be rigid Adapt to suit learning styles / ways of working Build in catch-up time and flexibility Different levels – quick fix, short term, long term Model breaking down project into stages

7. www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice Prioritising The key concept to managing time at university: Students often don’t realise they can’t (and aren’t expected) to do everything Have to be selective – based on personal goals Different learning styles lead to different priorities and use of time Students need to justify their decisions to themselves What are the consequences if I don’t do this?

8. www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice Procrastination Lack of confidence about study practices Overwhelm - failing to plan for multiple deadlines Distractions - socialising, too many commitments Poor concentration - unsuitable study conditions or times Inability to prioritise - failure to identify goals Persistent procrastination - perfectionism or low-self esteem

9. www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice Sharing strategies In small groups: 1) Go to one of the A1 sheets (Planning, Prioritising, Procrastination) 2) Discuss any strategies and resources you have used to help your students in this area 3)Write them on the sheet 4)After 5 mins – move to the next sheet – do the same again and add to the list of strategies

10. www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice Time management resources LearnHigher tutor video resources: www.learnhigher.ac.uk/videoresources/ LearnHigher website: www.learnhigher.ac.uk/learningareas/timemanagement/home.htm LearnHigher Folding Year Planners: www.learnhigher.ac.uk/learningareas/timemanagement/lhyearplanner.htm ASK (Assignment Survival Kit): www.learnhigher.ac.uk/ask/ University of Reading Study Advice website: www.reading.ac.uk/studyadvice

11. Michelle Reid michelle.reid@reading.ac.uk