The A, B, C’s of Time Management

The A, B, C’s of Time Management Summer 2013

Getting More Miles Per Gallon • Think of the hours in your week as the gas in your car • You all have the same size gas tank yet….. • Some get much further on their tank of gas than others • To get more MPG you have to work smarter not harder

A = Attendance • Every hour of time you spend in class saves you 3 hours of study time • If you’re going to cut corners, don’t skip class

B = Budgeting Time • We all get 168 hours per week • Being a student is a full time job • Keep a calendar to plan out all your weekly activities • Classes • Projects • Clinicals • Reading • Study time (2-3 hour blocks) • Exams • And all other outside commitments • Break projects into small pieces

C = Clutter • Procrastination, clutter, and confusion go together • Don’t put things ‘down’ put them ‘away’ • The semester leaves no time for procrastination • Eliminate distractions • Do one thing at a time • Clear study area of clutter • Use your wastebasket

D = Dirty Jobs • Look at ‘to do’ list for the day and circle the thing you dread doing most ----- • Do it first • If you postpone it will hurt your concentration all day and then you’ll procrastinate till tomorrow

E = Efficiency vs. Effectiveness • Efficiency is the process of doing something right • Effectiveness is doing the right thing the right way • Decide what needs to be done and do it the right way • Tips for personal effectiveness • Meet basic human needs • Plan frequently • Take breaks • De-clutter and organize work area • Study in quiet place without interruptions • Handle papers only once

F = Filing System • Be organized – don’t waste time looking for things • Disorganization is a big time waster • Have one notebook for all classes or designated folders for each class. • Think of your brain as a filing system • You can’t just throw things in the general direction of your brain and expect to find it in the file later

G = Goal Oriented • Identify your goal and write it down • Write down ways to reach your goal • Focus your time and energy on that goal for maximum effect

H = Hang In There • Finish the work at hand no matter how attractive doing the laundry becomes • Active avoidance and passive procrastination cost you lots of valuable time • Reward yourself for completing your task at hand

I = Investments • Think of class attendance, library time, and study sessions as deposits • Repeated small deposits add up to big rewards (A’s on exams) and store information into long term memory • Cramming goes to short term memory only

J = Jot It Down • Make lists and use them • Make a list each evening for the following day • Make it manageable and realistic • Rank in order of importance • Will keep you organized and help you avoid wasted motion

K = Knocking Off • When you reach a point of diminishing returns stop doing what you’re doing. • It’s a waste of time to go for perfectionism

L = Log • Keep an activity log (q 15 minutes) for 3 days to see how you spend your time • Tells you about • Interruptions • How organized you are • When you are most productive • How you waste time • Everyday make a color coded prioritized plan

M = Multitasking • Cook the week’s meals in one day and freeze • Barter services • Don’t procrastinate = more weekend and evening time • Study at school immediately after class • Avoid busywork – don’t major in minor activities • It gives a false sense of accomplishment • Don’t take pride in your efforts – Take pride in the results

N = No • Learn how to say it • The greatest time saving device ever invented

O = Other People’s Time • Know how to divide chores and delegate everything you possibly can • If relying on other people’s time plan far ahead

P = Prime Time • Everyone has 2-4 hours each time when they are in top form • Find your prime time and protect it – don’t procrastinate • Use it for high priority items that demand concentration and focus

Q = Questions • Several times each day ask yourself the following questions: • Is this the best use of my time right now? • Is this activity helping me achieve one of my goals? • If I didn’t do this, what would happen?

R = Regrets • Don’t waste time mourning what might have been or wallowing in guilt or self pity • Learn how to acknowledge the disappointment and move on to the next opportunity

S = Study Tools • Have everything you need to study handy • Books • Notes • pens / paper • Resources • etc

T = Tomorrow • Tomorrow never comes • DO IT TODAY!

U = Urgency • Urgent things are not always important • Important things are not always urgent • Ignore the pseudo-important things that clamor for your attention

V = Vacillating • Be decisive • If you give yourself a deadline – stick to it • If you decide your study time is 2:00 – 4:00 then do it.

W = Wasters • Identify Time Wasters • Children, family, spouse, friends, phone, etc. • Plan breaks for this socialization • Personal Disorganization • Use lists, calendars, planners • Downtime • Keep notebook, study materials handy at all times • What are your time wasters?

X = Xeroxing • Keep copies of all your important papers and assignments • Photocopy anything you may want to carry with you for quick moments of time to study

Y = Yakety Yak • Don’t let the phone or a drop in visitor ruin your study time. • “I can’t talk right now but I’ll call you back at 9” • Leave message on your phone “I’m unavailable until 6 and I’ll get back to you then”

Z = ZZZZZZZ’s • Schedule rest and relaxation periods • Get the sleep you need so you are sharp and thinking clearly

Now….. Let’s plan your semester!

The A, B, C’s of Time Management