Tips and Tricks 3: Time KU Leuven Karel Joos Study Advice Service October 28th 2013

Managing Time Effectively

Introduction Increasing awareness How to manage your time? Difficulties Advantages

Introduction

How much time do you spend studying? o Number of hours in class per week = ? o Number of hours study time per week = ? o Total load = ?

Introduction Research : The ‘average’ student spends 37, hours a week o including studying, preparing papers, attending courses/ lectures, library/ lab work,.. o For 60 credits, passing in June 1 credit = hours 1 year = 1500 – 1800 hours

Increasing Awareness

Questionnaire

Managing Time Effectively Time management questionnaire points: You're on your way to becoming CEO of a major corporation! points: You’re in control and well organized points: You are managing your time fairly well, but sometimes feel overwhelmed points: Your college career is likely to be stressful and less than satisfying unless you take steps to begin to manage your time more effectively. less than 25 points: Your life is one long roller coaster ride, out of control.

Increasing Awareness: Keep track of the number of o hours spent studying o hours spent not studying After recording : could your time be better/more effectively spent ??

How to Manage Your Time?

Systemizing Do not wait until you feel like having fun in studying Look for a system : o Develop a manageable routine o … that can last for weeks or months System = o Chop into manageable chunks

Examples : Detailed schedule Number of hours/week o On Friday : count If ok, free weekend If not ok, add some hours in weekend Number of hours/day o E.g. 8h/day in total (lectures included) o 2h of individual studying Review previous lecture before next one

Ingredients Goals o As concrete/clear as possible o When did you reach your goal of the day?? Motivation o Pick a major study goal f.ex. Passing an exam : think about the result o break your goal down into steps/substeps o Reward yourself on completion of a step ‘coffee break!’; ‘well done!’; activity…

Some Tips Times of the day when you are most alert Contrast activities : after 2 hours of study, some physical activity Breaks : every 50 min – 10 min ?? Small chunks of time : min o list of small tasks Installing good habits (‘automatic pilot’) o Active recreation : jogging, fitness-training, swimming… Two or three times a week at least 30 minutes per activity.

Don’t Exaggerate

Difficulties

No Overview Short term Long term o overview of things to do in the coming weeks and months. o relevant data and periods like tests, exams, deadlines for papers; other activities, …)examspapers o Calendar or time schedule

Concentration Concentration = fever Set an immediate small goal and refocus your attention o Short term pleasure – pleasure on the long term o Opposite of addiction (pleasure on short term) Distracting thoughts and worries : o write down ? Deal with personal problems o talk to friend, counsellor Remove distracting stimuli o pictures, computer, mobile phone… Change your environment o move your desk or try other places (library)

Fear of Failure Worries about ‘ disastrous’ consequences of a study failure Tendency to judge own possibilities pessimistically. High level of stress (psychosomatic problems, like insomnia, having difficulty to eat, crying fits, feelings of powerlessness and panic) Distracting thoughts : ‘Oh dear, this is going wrong, the professor will think I’m stupid, I’m blushing, I’m really making a fool of myself…’

Fear of Failure (2) Active fear of failure : o perfectionist - control - hardly ever dare to relax o Looking for certainty Passive fear of failure : o confrontation avoidance / escape into relaxation activities

Other Underlying Difficulties Idea of “losing time” Forced to study Passive agression Low self-esteem If admired in the past, … Magic thinking …

Advantages

Time Management: Advantages Reduces stress Increases productivity Makes you feel better o more self-confident, less guilty, frustrated,… Helps you accomplish important long-range goals in life

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Good Luck!