Time Management and Organizational Strategies

Taking Control of Your Time and Your Life Why is this important? Why is this important? Time seems to “slip away” Time seems to “slip away” Promotes authority over our lives and ourselves Promotes authority over our lives and ourselves Characteristic of successful people Characteristic of successful people

Determining Your Needs Document Document Categorize time spent on Categorize time spent on Class attendance Class attendance Study time Study time Work Work Commute time Commute time Social Social Family Family Other Other

Assess and Evaluate Ask yourself: Will the way I am spending my time contribute to my college success? Do I need to make adjustments? Which college related areas will require more of my time? Am I willing to make the necessary changes to achieve college success?

TIME TOOL #1 – A Calendar Long-range perspective Long-range perspective BIG picture BIG picture Due dates Test dates Holidays, vacations, special events Target dates

TIME TOOL #2 – A Weekly Schedule Balanced Balanced Study time – 2 hours per week per credit hour Study time – 2 hours per week per credit hour Regular time-regular place Regular time-regular place ASAP after class ASAP after class Utilize odd hours Utilize odd hours Limit – No more than 2 hours per course at one time Limit – No more than 2 hours per course at one time Trade time Trade time Cumulative review for each course Cumulative review for each course

Additional Weekly Schedule Tips Color code Color code Post it in obvious places Post it in obvious places Computer-generated Computer-generated Easier to adjust Easier to adjust Include weekend study hours Include weekend study hours

Organizational Strategies: HOW to Get Organized Set Up Your Own System Separate courses Set up a simple filing system Course folders Academic information folders Personal information folders Organize your study area Locate and regularly use an IDEAL study location Minor disasters can be anticipated and avoided

KEY TO SUCCESS Test Period Test Period Follow your schedule for approximately three weeks Adjust as the semester Adjust as the semester progresses. progresses.

TIME TOOL #3 –”To Do List List everything you need or want to get done. List everything you need or want to get done. Set your priorities. Set your priorities. A - Must be done A - Must be done B – Should be completed if at all possible B – Should be completed if at all possible C – Low priority, completed only after doing A’s and B’s C – Low priority, completed only after doing A’s and B’s Prioritize tasks within each group. Prioritize tasks within each group. Developing this habit will increase productivity.

TIME TOOL #4 – Sample Assignment Record Estimate time needed Estimate time needed Library research – estimate and add 2 hours Library research – estimate and add 2 hours Count back from due date Count back from due date Consult Master schedule Consult Master schedule Use the time Use the time

Anticipating and Planning for Courses – Course Planning Syllabi: Your road map for each class After first day in each course fill in the Semester Map Long-range planning begins on day one

TIME TIPS Ask yourself: “What is the best use of my time right now?” Ask yourself: “What is the best use of my time right now?” Utilize small blocks of time that you might normally waste. Utilize small blocks of time that you might normally waste. ALWAYS have study material with you. ALWAYS have study material with you. Tape lecture notes or personal notes and listen while you drive. Tape lecture notes or personal notes and listen while you drive.

PROCRASTINATION: Dealing with Deadlines Putting off = Anxiety/Stress Putting off = Anxiety/Stress Stop “thinking about” the assignment and TAKE ACTION! Stop “thinking about” the assignment and TAKE ACTION! Break down large tasks into manageable smaller tasks Break down large tasks into manageable smaller tasks

MORE HELPFUL TIPS Work when you have the highest level of energy. Work when you have the highest level of energy. Eliminate external distractions. Eliminate external distractions. When tired or distracted, change activities – “Mix it up” When tired or distracted, change activities – “Mix it up” Acknowledge the work you have accomplished. Acknowledge the work you have accomplished.

TO CRAM OR NOT TO CRAM? AVOID CRAMMING AVOID CRAMMING Think about the connotation of the word “cram.” Think about the connotation of the word “cram.” Ineffective study method Ineffective study method Inhibits storage of information in your long-term memory Inhibits storage of information in your long-term memory LEARNING OVER A PERIOD OF TIME USING REPETITIVE PRACTICE IS A MORE EFFIECIENT AND EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR RETAINING INFORMATION.

PRIORITIZING: The Balancing Act KEEP SIGHT OF YOUR GOALS KEEP SIGHT OF YOUR GOALS ATTEND CLASS ATTEND CLASS IDENTIFY YOUR RESPONSIBLITIES IDENTIFY YOUR RESPONSIBLITIES PRIORITIZE PRIORITIZE SCHEDULE SCHEDULE JUST DO IT! JUST DO IT!