Time Management Techniques

From: Becoming a Master Student

1. Schedule fixed blocks of time first
1. Work
2. Classes
3. Meals
4. Sleep

1. Schedule time for fun.
1. Movies/favorite TV show
2. Dinner with friends/family
3. Working out
4. Running errands

1. Set realistic goals
1. Don’t set yourself up for failure

• Can’t do a 4 hour job in 2 hours

1. Only 168 hours in a week

• If you schedule 169 hours, you lose

1. Allow flexibility in your schedule
1. Unexpected things will happen
2. Leave some holes in your schedule
3. May find yourself with extra time to relax!

1. Study two hours out of class for every hour in class.
1. 15/credit hour schedule = 30 hours of study time per week
2. Guideline—you may need more time for some thing and less for others

1. Set clear starting and stopping times
1. Tasks will take the time we allot for them
2. Plan a certain amount of time (I will work on that paper from 1-3) then take a break.

• Do 2 hours of concentrated work

1. Feeling rushed or sacrificing quality is not the aim

• Quality vs. Quantity

1. Plan for the unplanned
1. Things happen—make sure you have time for them

• Cars break down,
• children get sick,

1. Have a back-up plan

• Someone to watch the kids
• Another way to get to school

Use a planner to help you make the most of your time.  Find a system that works for you—everyone approaches time differently. Remember that time is a non-renewable resource—when it’s gone—it’s gone for good.

Weekly

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
8:00	Work	Engl 1020	Work	Engl 1020 Paper due	Work	Away for weekend	Away for weekend
9:00	Work	Work on math	Work		Work
10:00	Work		Work		Work
11:00	Work		Work		Work
12:00	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	lunch
1:00	Math class		Math class homework		Work
2:00					Work
3:00			Finish paper for English		Work
4:00					Work
5:00
6:00
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00

Or Monthly:

September 2007

Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri
Labor Day, No classes		Alan’s B-Day		Papers due: CMMU Writing
Math test			Speech due
Math Test	Paper Due: Writing			Camping weekend!
Math Test			CMMU Quiz