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Time Management. Myths of Time Management. There’s too much to do: I can’t handle it all. There’s plenty of time; I can do that later. I’m busier than usual right now, so it makes sense to shift some tasks off to another time. Re-scheduling something to a later time is procrastinating.
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Myths of Time Management • There’s too much to do: I can’t handle it all. • There’s plenty of time; I can do that later. • I’m busier than usual right now, so it makes sense to shift some tasks off to another time. • Re-scheduling something to a later time is procrastinating. • This little task is not important. • Planning my time just takes more time. • The busier I am, the better I’m using my time.
How to Get Organized • Determine how you spend your time • Track a week of your time • Use a pocket notebook • Track things like • Time you woke up • When you had meals • When you had class • Include little things • Phone calls • Buying a muffin • Checking email between classes • Just mark down the event, don’t need details • Spend special attention on how much time you spend on each event
How to Get Organized… • Determine how you spend your time… • Crunch the numbers at the end of the week • How much time did you spend studying each day? • How long did you linger in he dining hall? • How many time a day did you check email? • How long did it take to do the thing you did • Note the patterns • When were your most productive work periods? • Where did you tend to lose time • Did you tend to procrastinate? • How would you rate your overall efficiency as a time manager?
How to Get Organized… • Be Persistent • Need to keep that journal for at least a week • Planning your semester • Set priorities and goals • What you want to accomplish and why • Make a list of all your priorities and goals for this semester • Priorities and goals has standards • Positive: “Attend class every day” instead of “Don’t skip class” • Precise and measurable: “Earn a 3.5 GPA” instead of “Get good grades” • Achievable and realistic: “Score 90% or better on every chemistry exam” instead of “Score 100% on every chemistry exam” • For each goal set smaller, immediate objective: If your goal is to get an A in calculus, what is your immediate goal for this week? • Collect the big dates • Check school calendar for academic dates • Add dates from your class syllabi: exam dates and major milestones • Add all personally import dates • Build the calendar • Mark in red the dates that contain multiple items
How to Get Organized… • Manage your time • Weekly • Fixed schedule: classes, part time work, sports practice • Add big picture calendar for week • To do list • Everything to accomplish in a day • Divide bug picture responsibilities into daily chunks • Leave some wiggle room • Be flexible with your study time • Schedule downtime • Schedule bedtime
How to Get Organized… • Tools • Get help • Calendars and gadgets • Daily planner • Regular notebook • Personal Data Assistant (PDA) • On-line tools • Microsoft Outlook • iCal • Yahoo calendar • Web destinations • http://www.prenhall.com/success/ Prentice Hall Student Success Site • http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_00.htm Mind Tools
Strategies on Using Time • Develop blocks of study time • How long before you become restless? • More difficult material may require more frequent breaks • Schedule weekly reviews and updates • Prioritize assignments • Begin with the most difficult subject or task • Develop alternative study places free form distractions • To maximize concentration • Got “dead time”? • Think of using time walking, riding, etc. for studying “bits” • Review studies and readings just before class • Review lecture material immediately after class • Forgetting is greatest within 24 hours without review • Schedule time for critical course events • Papers, presentations, tests, etc