Time Management -You NEED This!!! Fall 2013 EGR 105 Foundations of Engineering I

Speaking of Time… “Time is money.” “I don’t have the time.” “I need to be on time.” “Don’t waste my time.” “How much more time do I have?” “My time is valuable.” “Time’s up.”……

What About Time? Only 24 hrs in each day Cannot create more time in a day –(i.e. 25 hrs in a day???) Need to use time effectively Need to “invest” time –(make wise choices) Need to budget time just like money –(prioritize)

Question Can you create more time?

Yes…Well Sort of… You can –work more effectively –work more efficiently Therefore, you can –“make more time” in your schedule

Another Question Can you manage your time?

Observation "You can't manage time, it just is. So "time management" is a mislabeled problem, which has little chance of being an effective approach."

So Then….. What Exactly Do You Really Manage? What do you think?

You Really Manage Your activity during periods of time

Sports Analogy Football What is the primary role of a quarterback in the game?

Quarterback’s Primary Role To manage the game - which means- To manage the clock

How Does Quarterback Manage the Clock? By deciding… What result is desired (outcome) What to do to get result (goals) How to do it (prioritize) When to do it (timing)

One More Question So then how do you manage your activities?

How Do You Do It? By defining outcomes and physical actions required to manage what you do.

Goals vs Outcomes What’s the difference?

Goal a single step on the road to an outcome all steps/goals should be easily achievable

Outcome The desired result that the goals help you achieve

Why Goals and Outcomes? If you only have goals…then –you cannot achieve an outcome –because you have no idea where you are heading

Why Goals and Outcomes? If you only set an outcome and have no goals…then –the outcome remains too far away –you soon give up trying… because you feel it is unobtainable you get discouraged

Exercise (10 minutes) Outcome - be debt free in 2 years Goals - what are they for this? (break into groups of 3-4) Determine a clear set of achievable goals to accomplish this outcome Be able to defend your goals

Open Discussion of Exercise

What Outcomes Are You Planning For? Short-term –Today –For this class –For this semester……. Long-term –For this year –For your degree –For your employment –For your future –For your life…….

Open Discussion of Your Outcomes

What Are Your Goals? Short-term –Today –For this class –For this semester……. Long-term –For this year –For your degree –For your employment –For your future –For your life……..

Open Discussion of Your Goals

Learn to Manage Activities Place a high value on your time (activity management), goals, and outcomes Schedule your activities (time) Make a serious commitment to your study activity (time)

Priorities Need to determine and set your priorities to be able to effectively manage your activities

How Can You Do This? Some suggestions from Franklin Covey (time management training and effectiveness planning) “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”

Priority Management (Stephen Covey – Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) Decide what has high personal value (school, family, health, work, etc.) For each thing to be done decide –How urgent is it? (Requires immediate attention; doesn’t require immediate attention) –How important is it based on personal values? (Important; or not important) Unimportant things, urgent or not ===>Ignore them!<===

Priority Management (Stephen Covey – Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) Things that are both important and urgent (crisis management) must be tended to Things that are important but not urgent – tending to them is the key to overall effectiveness

What To Avoid “The tyranny of the urgent”

What Does That Mean? Avoid being busy with things that are seemingly urgent but are not important ….If not…. You will be very busy all the time - but you will accomplish very little!!!

Managing Activities (Time) Lets focus on managing your activities (time) as a student Key activities for success –Studying/learning the subject –Preparing for and taking tests

Making Up Your Weekly Schedule Block out all of your commitments (family, classes, meetings, part-time work, time to get to and from school, time for meals, exercise, etc.) Remainder of time is available for one of two purposes – 1) study; or 2) recreation Schedule study time to avoid wasting your time

Answer Four Questions In scheduling study time, ask yourself these four questions: -When should I study-now or later? -Where should I study? -What subject(s) should I study? -Who should I study with? -myself (alone) -with others (important and beneficial)

Benefits of Scheduling Your Study Time See if you are overextended More likely to keep up in your classes Gives feedback as to how much you are studying (make it quality time!!!) You’ll learn what you can do and can’t do You’ll find that you have more time You’ll feel much less stressed-out over school

How Many Hours Should You Study? Depends on –How difficult is the course? –How good a student are you? –How well prepared are you for the course and subject matter? –What grade do you want to receive?

Preparing For Tests Schedule time for review “Scope out” tests Practice under time pressure Avoid cramming - no all-nighters Get a good night’s sleep Make sure you have the right materials/tools Arrive early and get settled Look over the entire test before you start

Learning Modes Solitary – You learn by yourself Collaborative – You learn with others “My anecdotal research indicates that about 90 percent of first-year engineering students do virtually 100 percent of their studying alone.” ~Ray Landis Dean Emeritus of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology CSU, Los Angeles

Why Do Students Study Alone? “I learn more studying by myself.” “I don’t have anyone to study with.” “It’s not right. You’re supposed to do your own work.” “I can figure it out by myself.” “I’ve always done it this way.” …. other reasons?????

Benefits of Group Study You’ll be better prepared for the engineering “work-world ” You’ll learn more You’ll enjoy it more You’ll learn more by discussing and working problems together

Strategies For Using Time Develop blocks of study time –About 50 minutes?...more?...less?... –How long does it take for you to become restless? Take breaks –Some learners need more frequent breaks for a variety of reasons –More difficult material may also require more frequent breaks

Strategies For Using Time Schedule weekly reviews –Individually –With study groups (important) Always prioritize assignments –When studying, get in the habit of beginning with the most difficult subject or task

Strategies For Using Time Develop alternative study places –to maximize concentration –free from distractions (quiet) –Or maybe you need background noise Use your time wisely –Think of times when you can study "bits" as when walking, riding the bus, etc., in addition to time blocks

Strategies For Using Time Review studies and readings –before class Review lecture material –immediately after class (Forgetting is greatest within 24 hours without review)

Strategies For Using Time Schedule time to prepare for -critical course events- –Papers –Presentations –Tests –Quizzes (some are unannounced!!!) –Lab reports –etc.

Habits Vince Lombardi (great football and leadership coach) "Winning is a habit. Unfortunately so is losing."

Question How do you create winning habits?

Problem Is… Most people don't plan to fail. ….they just fail to plan.

So What Do You Do? Develop a solid plan to manage your activities (time) Be committed to your plan Be flexible in your plan Establish realistic outcome(s) Determine achievable goals for outcome(s) Obtain and use a planner

Now What? So what’s your game plan to succeed in your engineering studies? …now is the time to get started on this….

Suggestions for You! Obtain a planner…and…start using it NOW Set outcomes and goals for yourself -Short-term -Long-term Establish your priorities Make a plan to budget your time Manage your activities –Track your daily activities - adjust as necessary –Learn how you are spending your time Commit to developing winning habits for success

Assignment 2 List three outcomes for this semester For each outcome provide at least three goals Prioritize your listed outcomes/goals for the semester Indicate at least a couple of ways how you could track your daily/weekly activities to see if they need adjustment Turn in this information to me by next class (9/26) – hard copy typed with your complete name.