Step 2: Managing Your Time

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Taking control of your time  Creating a workable class schedule  Organizing your day  Overcoming procrastination and respecting others’ time

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot Agree? Disagree? Don’t know? 1. I set academic & personal goals to guide how I prioritize my time. 2. I can focus on the task at hand. 3. I use a planner, to-do lists, or other planning devices. 4. I can balance my social, personal and academic commitments.

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot 1. Knowing your goals 2. Setting priorities to meet your goals 3. Anticipating the unexpected 4. Taking control of your time 5. Making a commitment to punctuality 6. Carrying out your plans

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Reflect: What tasks best align with goals & values?  Identify tasks needed to meet your objectives  Rank tasks by urgency  Consider your whole person when setting priorities

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Planners have many styles & prices  Find a planner that can work for you  College might have calendar with important due dates and events that can be very useful for planning

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot 1. Identify time commitments in blocks for the semester for Classes & study time Exercise Work time Family time Social dates

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Set due dates ahead to manage conflicts  Break up large assignments  Consider the “value” of various activities and plan time accordingly  Set due dates for task components

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot Consider:  Expectations  Goals  Tasks  Time to complete tasks  Due dates  Your working style

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Set realistic goals for study time  Use waiting time well  Know the best times to study  Control distractions  Avoid multitasking  Be flexible

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Enter the details on the planner  Use a planner that is convenient for your life style  Back up your planner  Revise schedule as needed

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Determine a realistic workload  Learn to say “no”  Adjust your schedule if you have overextended yourself.

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Align to-do list with time expectations  Note when things are done for a sense of accomplishment

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Fear of failure  Fear of success  Too much of a perfectionist – fear of not achieving real or self- defined standards  Task is boring and seems irrelevant Reflect on why YOU procrastinate.

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot 1. Remember the consequences 2. Create a to-do list 3. Divide a big job into smaller ones 4. Reward yourself when you’re done 5. Minimize distractions

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Plan time & space to concentrate  Schedule time  Minimize interruptions  Read in an environment in which you can concentrate best

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot  Be on time to class  Meet due dates for assignments  Avoid disrespectful behavior in class  Don’t “hog” the discussion  Keep appointment times with instructors

Step by Step to College & Career Success, 4 th ed., by Gardner and Barefoot Agree? Disagree? Don’t know? 1. I set academic & personal goals to guide how I prioritize my time. 2. I can focus on the task at hand. 3. I use a planner, to-do lists, or other planning devices. 4. I can balance my social, personal and academic commitments.