Tips for Time Management
Tips to Better Manage Your Time
1. Concentrate on one thing at a time. Study difficult or boring subjects first while you are still fresh and get this “chore” out of the way to make the rest of the day easier for yourself. Be active in what you are doing at that time.
2. Be aware of your best time of the day. When do you study best? Daytime? Nighttime? Schedule study time during your best study hours for the classes that are hardest or you like the least. Experiment. Get up early, stay up late to see what works best for you. Remember to use your daylight hours and minutes and consider staying on campus between classes and finding a quiet place to study.
3. Use waiting time. Have short study tasks ready to do when you are waiting, such as between classes, while waiting for a friend, or standing in line somewhere. An example would be to carry 3 x 5 cards with you that contain facts, formulas, or definitions, which could be brought anywhere while you are waiting. Use time between classes to review class notes and to again use 3 x 5 cards. Use a tape recorder to make a tape of you reading your notes, which you could listen to on the bus, while exercising, or while walking to class.
4. Use a regular study area. Train your body so that you can focus attention more quickly. Use this area ONLY to study, such as the library or a study lounge, which has good lighting, low noise, and no distractions. Find
a place where you can study everyday that has tables and chairs, is quiet, and has low traffic. If you are studying at a computer table, shut the computer off. This way, you will not become distracted (tempted) with E-mail or Instant Messenger.
a place where you can study everyday that has tables and chairs, is quiet, and has low traffic. If you are studying at a computer table, shut the computer off. This way, you will not become distracted (tempted) with E-mail or Instant Messenger.
5. Study where you will be alert. Do not study where you sleep and avoid chairs and sofas. You need ENERGY, not relaxation.
6. Pay attention to your attention. Keep a note pad next to you while studying to jot down random thoughts that interfere with your studying. Get them out of your mind and onto a paper so that you can refocus on studying. If the task is really pressuring, do it, and then return to your studying.
7. Agree with living mates (roommates, parents, spouses, or kids) about study time. Have set times or a signal to indicate that you are studying and need to be left alone. Try using a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.
8. Get off the phone. Do not use the phone as an excuse to not study. Tell people when they call that you are studying and they should understand. If it is that important they will call back. If you must, unplug the phone, let the answering machine pick up, or go study somewhere else where there is not a phone.
9. Learn to say no. People understand that you need to study.
10. Plan your day each morning or the night before, and set priorities for yourself. If you have morning calls, look up the numbers the night before and leave them by the phone. Get the materials you will need together to complete your morning tasks. Pack your lunch and book bag.
11. Call ahead. Before walking all over campus to get a form or go to a meeting, find out what you need or directions to where you are going.
12. Do just one more thing. Before going to bed, try to do just one more thing to make the day more complete, and eliminate one task for the next day if it doesn’t interfere with a full night’s sleep.
13. Notice how others misuse your time. If someone else, say a roommate, is misusing your time, then you have to do something about that, such as studying somewhere else, where your roommate cannot misuse your time.
14. Be sure and set deadlines for yourself whenever possible, and reward yourself when you get things done as you had planned, especially the important activities.
15. Make class time your best study time. Go to class prepared, and if you do not have enough time to read the whole assignment, at least look over it. Be sure to review notes from the previous class. Listen attentively and paraphrase what the professor says in your own words.
16. DO NOT procrastinate. Do not let questions about material accumulate. Instead of trying to get it perfect - just do it.
17. Be realistic in your expectations of yourself.
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