| 1. |
Buy a day planner and
keep it with you most of the time. Schedule everything:
classes, work, meals, exercising, socializing, sleeping.
Everything.
Tip: Know when you are most productive
and schedule around that. If you’re a morning person,
start your days early and get stuff done!
|
| 2. |
Create a semester summary.
Using the syllabus from each class, write down in one place
all the due dates and tests in all your classes.
|
| 3. |
Update your plans as necessary.
Due dates can change, new assignments are given, and your
social life is ever changing. Be flexible, but be prepared.
Tip: Bring work with you everywhere
so you’re never wasting time. You can catch up
on reading or review notes while waiting in line, sitting
at the doctor’s office, or doing laundry.
|
| 4. |
Prioritize. Make a list
of what you have to accomplish during the coming week,
and prioritize your activities by using what is called
the ABC system. A items must be done; B items are important,
but not top priority; C items are optional.
Tip: For some of these activities, such
as class meeting times, it is obvious how much time is
required. For other activities, it is essential that
you realistically estimate the time it will take to complete
them. For example, you may think a five-page paper will
only take an hour, but actually it may take four hours
because you didn’t estimate time for researching,
editing, footnoting, and printing the paper in the computer
lab. Of course, you now have to make up the three additional
hours by giving up something else such as social time,
exercise, or errands.
|
| 5. |
Think ahead. Each evening or morning, create
a daily schedule or “To Do” list. This should
only take a few minutes if you have created your weekly
list. Try creating a daily “To Do” list even
if you do not implement the other time management ideas
listed here. Using 3¥5” index cards is great
for “To Do” lists because they are inexpensive
and easy to carry in your backpack, purse, etc. Bill Daniels
always used index cards to organize his day as well as
serve as reminder notes to himself.
|
| 6. |
Evaluate your strategies and schedule.
Take time to evaluate how these time management tools are
working for you. If they are helping, it will be easier
to see how you can spend your time more effectively. If
they are not helping, try individualizing these strategies
for your needs or recommit to trying them again. |
