CSS Forums - Tips for better time mannagement for students

[SIZE="5"][B]The Value of Time Management[/B][/SIZE]

The value of time management lies not in your ability to control your time, but in the ways you use your time to improve your life. Time management has a number of benefits to you as a student.

[B]It helps you reduce stress.[/B]

Having time to study is much less stressful than trying to cram an entire term’s worth of information into four hours before the exam!

[B]It helps you keep your life balanced.[/B]

Studying all the time does not imply that you are a “good” student. Having a personal life as well as time to relax is important for all students. Balance is vital here!

[B] It helps you to increase your productivity.[/B]

Working long hours leads to a slower pace and tiredness. Planning to complete work within a specified period of time helps you utilize your time more effectively.

[B]It helps you meet your goals.[/B]

If you know where you are going, you’re more likely to get there. Setting goals is a powerful way of motivating yourself to work. It also helps you reduce procrastination that can lead to frustration and stress over uncompleted work.

[B]Time Management Tip 1[/B]

[COLOR="Red"][B]Invest Time*[/B][/COLOR]

Plan study time AND free time carefully to eliminate worry and frustration. Use a combination of monthly schedules and a day-timer to plan. Write a weekly study schedule at the beginning of the term and adjust it throughout the term.

[COLOR="Black"][B]Time Management Tip 2[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Red"][B]Invest in Time*[/B][/COLOR]

If you don’t know where you spend your time, keep an activity log for two weeks. Use the information to help you plan your time. Prioritize activities, assign completion dates, and stick to them as much as possible. Don’t let others direct your time for you.

[COLOR="Black"][B]Time Management Tip 3[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Red"][B]Invest Early*
[/B][/COLOR]
Set up a study schedule at least three weeks before exams. Begin assignments early. Look at the task and how much work it involves. How many pages are there? Is it easy or difficult? Can you break it down into steps? Be generous with estimating needed time.

[COLOR="Black"][B]Time Management Tip 4[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Red"][B]Invest Daily*[/B][/COLOR]

Each day, include time for review of learned material – about 20 to 30 minutes per class per day. This ensures that you are studying regularly, instead of just before exams. If you review or study regularly, preparing for exams will simply be an extension of what you are already doing, which is a lot less stressful than cramming!

[COLOR="Black"][B]Time Management Tip 5[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Red"][B]Invest Wisely*[/B][/COLOR]

Use odd periods of time such as waiting for the bus or time between classes for reviewing or reading. Be aware of your peak periods of concentration – when you are tired or it’s noisy, do tasks that do not require a lot of concentration. Don’t short-change yourself on sleep, especially at exam time.

[COLOR="Black"][B]Time Management Tip 6[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Red"][B]Monitor Your Investment*[/B][/COLOR]

Determine whether you are accomplishing things as planned and adjust your schedule as necessary. Each day, plan to spend one hour doing whatever you want. If you need to, use this “flex” time as study time. Remember that your schedule is a firm, but flexible, guide.

[COLOR="Black"][B]Time Management Tip 7
[/COLOR][B][COLOR="Red"][/B]
Enjoy Your Investment*[/B][/COLOR]
Reward yourself after a successful study session. If you have completed all your tasks for the day sooner than you planned, why not take the rest of the day off? Or, if you feel like continuing, work on tomorrow’s tasks and take time off then. Of course, these options imply that you have worked effectively and efficiently within the identified timeframes!

[COLOR="Black"][B]Time Management Tip 8[/B][/COLOR]

[COLOR="Red"][B]Get Help with Your Investment[/B][/COLOR]
If you need help with developing effective weekly or exam study schedules, contact our office for workshop information or to book an individual appointment.