Time Management Tips

Do you find yourself thinking the following statements?

• "I'll start studying right after I download this song."
• "I've got so much to study ... and so little time."
• "I don't know where to begin."

If so, you may benefit from the following tips for managing your study time.

Identify and avoid distractions

Instant messaging, e-mailing, video games, and downloading songs can consume a lot of time. If you find that a certain activity is particularly addictive, avoid it. If that is impossible, plan a 15-minute break for it into your schedule as a reward after studying for one to two hours.

Account for your time

Spend a few days recording exactly how you use your time. Write down everything. Track the time you spend sleeping, eating, working, socializing, etc. Subtract those total hours from 168 (the total hours in a week). Work on creating a balanced schedule. Make sure you budget enough time for sleep, meals, study, exercise, and leisure activities.

Take control

Make a list of all the things that you have to do. Put your priority items on a "to do" list. Make both a weekly and a quarterly schedule. At the beginning of each quarter, review your syllabi and enter all due dates for papers, quizzes, and exams onto your quarterly schedule. Your weekly schedule should include all of the items from your quarterly schedule due for that week plus time to eat, sleep, study, go to classes, work, and socialize-planned through each 24-hour period.