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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

Time management resources LearnHigher tutor video resources: LearnHigher website: LearnHigher Folding Year Planners: ASK (Assignment Survival Kit): University of Reading Study Advice website:

Michelle Reid