How to Develop a System of Time Planning and Management

2. How to Develop a System of Time Planning and Management • Semester Calendar by Months: • The semester calendar should be used to identify due dates each month for assignments and papers, dates of tests, and important nonacademic activities and events. Also include when to begin studying and break study down into tasks. • This calendar should be on the wall in your room or on your desk. Semester calendars can be purchased in college bookstores and local stationery stores.

3. Calendar by Week You should also have a weekly schedule which identifies the time and order in which you will complete the tasks and activities for the week. This schedule is developed each week and reviewed each day to determine whether any changes are needed for the following day because of unforeseen circumstances (e.g., changes in appointments or the need for additional time to complete tasks).

4. Work Ahead of Your Assignments When Possible Before the week begins, assess the workload for the upcoming week or even month, especially major events that may require changes in your schedule. • For example, suppose you know that you are going home for the weekend or have an important social event coming up. In addition, you see that you have a major midterm on Monday morning following the big weekend. You will need to consider changes in your study schedule to prepare for the exam.

5. Do Stay Immediately Current Carry your calendar with you and write down any appointments as soon as you make them

6. Problems in Time Management

7. Uncertainty of What Is to Be Accomplished 1. Lack of, or unclear goals 2. Failure to break down the goals into tasks 3. Lack of awareness about how to manage time or how much time is needed to complete a given task

8. Inefficient use of time One of the most important factors influencing the attainment of goals is the efficient use of time. In high school, most of your time was structured for you because you were in school most of the day. For the most part, your time management involved structuring your study time after school.

9. College life is more demanding because there are more tasks to accomplish. Your class schedule can vary greatly. For example, you may only have classes three or four times a week and might complete your classes by noon. In general, you have to manage more hours of time and do not have your parents around to offer suggestions for how you should do it. (Jones, K. 1998)

10. Time management is an imperative tool that can assist you to thrive in school, work and other personal activities. By learning how to handle your time you will be able to: • Accomplish more • Lead a balanced life • Have more leisure time • Meet targets • Conquer procrastination • Lessen stress

11. Poor Time Management Indicators • Constant rushing (e.g. between classes or tasks) • Frequent lateness ( attending classes or meeting deadlines) • Low productivity, energy and motivation (“I can’t seem to get worked up about anything apart from right before the test.”) • Frustration ( “I always seem to be at the beck and call of others”) • Impatience (“Why doesn’t he give me those notes I asked for!”) • Chronic vacillation between alternatives ( “I’ve been scratching my head for weeks over the topic of this paper. Whatever option I choose is going to put me at a big disadvantage. I don’t know which way to jump”) • Difficulty setting and achieving goals ( “I’m not sure what my role is or what is expected of me.”) • Procrastination (i.e. continually putting off starting a task or activity). This may occur because you fear failing to do a good job or baulk at the effort required from you or there is too much chaos to deal with because you are unorganized.

12. To this list could be added: • Perfectionism or the uncompromising pursuit of exceptionally high standards (“I will only accept one hundred per cent achievement; anything less is failure”.) • This may mean you go very slowly to avoid making any mistakes or try to avoid the task because you fear doing a less than perfect job. Perfectionism is often a cause of procrastination. • Getting bogged down in details (You cannot grasp the main issues because of your over-attention to details.) • Feeling overwhelmed by your workload • Unassertiveness: Take on everything because you don’t say no.

13. WHY!!!!!!!!!!!! • Lack of commitment because you don’t care about the goal. • Fear of failure • Fear of success • Didn’t realize how difficult the task was • General yuck factor!

14. How To Manage Procrastination • Set priorities. • Know the times of day you are most productive for which types of activities • Study • Work • Exercise • Play • Rest and meditation

15. How To Manage Procrastination • Set small, short-term goals. • Make to-do lists daily. • Break down large tasks into small, manageable pieces. • Take care of yourself and have a balanced life. Maybe you procrastinate because you are too out of balance to function.

16. The Essence Of Time Management is knowing what your values and goals are in life. And making the optimum use of your time to achieve these ends.