Using time intelligently can contribute to your academic success. This exercise is designed to assist you in planning a Daily Activity Schedule. In doing so, it will help you to develop a time management chart, avoid procrastination, and take control of your time. As you read through the instructions and set-up your schedule, keep in mind that balancing your activities is most important After all, all work and no play will stress you out, and all play and no work will cause you much frustration. Balance between class, study, work, and leisure activities - that's the key to good time management.
Download a Daily Acivity Scheduler and Planning sheet here
STEP ONE: Fill in all of your 'fixed" time commitments. "Fixed" time commitments do not change in relation to the amount of time it takes for a particular activity. "Fixed" time commitments include: classes, employment, organizational meetings, church functions, meals, sleep, etc.
STEP TWO: Incorporate specific study times into your schedule:
* Using a formula of two hours of study for each hour in class/week, calculate the total hours for studying. Some subjects require more than the formula suggest and some require less time.
* Adjust your hours accordingly.
* Analyze each of your courses and determine your typical workload. How many chapters must you read? What homework assignments or lab reports must be completed? Now pick a day and time for completing your work for each class. Write in what subject you intend to study and what kind of work you intend to do. For example, write in "Psychology: Read Chapter" or "Chemistry: Homework Problems".
* Schedule preparation times for courses that require your participation such as recitations, language classes, and labs. Prep times should be scheduled shortly before the class so that your mind is "in gear" for the subject.
* Schedule review times too, as soon after lecture as is possible. Clarify notes, add information you were unable to include during lecture, and expand on examples given in class. Reviews improve understanding and long-term memory of lecture material.
HINT: When writing in your subjects and corresponding times for the study of each subject, try colour coordinating this information for better visual perception. Use different colors for each course.
STEP THREE: Plan to free-up some personal and social time for yourself. Planning for your personal time can help you to reduce procrastination problems and can offer you something to look forward to after completing your assignments. Remember: relaxation can help you to reduce stress.
DON'T GET YOURSELF BOGGED DOWN
Stay on top of your studies by planning a Daily Activity Schedule to assist you in adjusting to the day-to-day pressures of American college life.
Example Time-Management Exercise
BUSSPP 0020 Managing in Complex Environments
Class Meets from 8-9:30 a.m. M-W-F
BUSACC 0030 Financial Accounting
Class Meets from 1-2:30 T-H
BUSENV 0060 Ethics and the Business Environment
Class Meets from 5:45-7:45 p.m. M-W
BUSHRM 1050 Human Resources Management
Class meets from 1-1:50 p.m. M-W-F
PS 1641 International Political Economy
Class Meets from 8:30-9:30 a.m. M-W-F
Now add up all the hours on your sheet and then subtract that total from 168. What is your overall total? Here is what it should look like- ideally.
Now take into account that some of you will join sports teams or clubs/organizations that will take up 3 hours-per-day. You will also be talking to groups in the colleges and towns. That’s another approximately 21 hours a week which is going to leave you with only 25 hours (at best) in 7 days that are free. Then deal with how to organize the week. How they should deal with “trading” hours.
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