Time Management
Time Management
Here's a good way to examine your time management habits. The following time budget worksheets, along with other academic planning calendars, are also available as Microsoft Word documents to help you plan for time management here.
Fill out the time budget sheet. This sheet works like a check book--record only the balance is reflected in hours of time for a week. Some of you will end up with a deficit and others will have 20 or more "extra" hours. This sheet helps you to see where your time is spent.
Time Budget Sheet
| Total number of hours available |
168
|
| Minus hours in class per week |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of study time per week |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of sleep time/personal hygiene per week |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of committed time per week (e.g. job, church, regular meetings) |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of meal time per week (include coffee stops!) |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of exercise per week |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of family time per week |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of laundry, shopping, personal errands per week |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of television per week |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of email, video games, etc. |
- ______
|
| Minus hours of other recreation per week (movies, parties, etc.) |
- ______
|
| Minus other (miscellaneous) |
- ______
|
|
Final Balance (+ or -)
|
__________
|
Key Points for Time Management and Effective Studying
Many educators subscribe to a formula that suggests that you study 2-3 hours per week for each credit hour taken. You can see that those hours add up quickly.
- 13 credit hours = 26 hours
- 14 credit hours = 28 hours
- 15 credit hours = 30 hours
Common sense tells us that the formula won't hold true for every class you take; some classes require more study time and others less time. It all depends on the subject matter, your learning style, your preparedness for the subject matter, or your ability to concentrate! Nevertheless, what the formula should suggest to you is that carrying a full load of classes at the university should feel like you have a full time job! Remember that university work requires much independent study outside of class and homework. Spread your work out evenly over the term and avoid the stress of work piling up or last minute cramming.
Time Savers That Can Make Your Schedule Work
Learn to say NO, be assertive with roommates/friends
Begin; avoid procrastinating
Plan the day, the week, and the term
Set goals so the emphasis will be on the tasks most
important to you
Learn and practice self-discipline
Learn to listen effectively
Seek the help of experts (books, manuals, advisors, friends,
family, etc.)
Expect to succeed
Finish each task before starting another
Avoid interruption
Have a place for everything; keep or return everything to
its place
Study difficult/boring subjects first
Study at the best hour of the day, according to your personal
needs
Study with intervals, pace yourself and plan ahead
Use "waiting time" effectively (3x5 cards, always
carry your notes or a book)
Have a consistent place to study, where you know you work
best
Good Luck!