What is Time Management?

The highest achievers manage their time exceptionally well. By using the
time-management techniques in this section, you can improve your ability
to function more effectively even when time is tight and pressures are
high.
Good time management requires an important shift in focus from
activities to results: being busy isnt the same as being effective.
(Ironically, the opposite is often closer to the truth.)
Spending your day in a frenzy of activity often achieves less, because
youre dividing your attention between so many different tasks. Good time
management lets you work smarter not harder so you get more done
in less time.
Time management refers to the way that you organize and plan how
long you spend on specific activities.
It may seem counter-intuitive to dedicate precious time to learning about
time management, instead of using it to get on with your work, but the
benefits are enormous:

Greater productivity and efficiency.

A better professional reputation.

Less stress.

Increased opportunities for advancement.

Greater opportunities to achieve important life and career goals.

Failing to manage your time effectively can have some very undesirable
consequences:

Missed deadlines.

Inefficient work flow.

Poor work quality.

A poor professional reputation and a stalled career.

Higher stress levels.

Spending a little time learning about time-management techniques will

have huge benefits now and throughout your career.
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Time Management
Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising
conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities,
especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity.
It is a meta-activity with the goal to maximize the overall benefit of a set
of other activities within the boundary condition of a limited amount of
time.
Time management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and
techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks,
projects, and goals complying with a due date. Initially, time management
referred to just business or work activities, but eventually the term
broadened to include personal activities as well. A time management
system is a designed combination of processes, tools, techniques, and
methods. Time management is usually a necessity in any project
development as it determines the project completion time and scope.
The major themes arising from the literature on time management include
the following:

Creating an environment conducive to effectiveness

Setting of priorities
Carrying out activity around those priorities
The related process of reduction of time spent on non-priorities
Incentives to modify behavior to ensure compliance with timerelated deadlines.

Time management has been considered to be a subset of different

concepts such as:

Project management: Time Management can be considered to be a

project management subset and is more commonly known as project
planning and project scheduling. Time Management has also been
identified as one of the core functions identified in project
management.[1]
Attention management: Attention Management relates to the
management of cognitive resources, and in particular the time that
humans allocate their mind (and organize the minds of their
employees) to conduct some activities.

TIME MANAGEMENT
Developing time management skills is a journey that may begin with
this Guide, but needs practice and other guidance along the way.
One goal is to help yourself become aware of how you use your time
as one resource in organizing, prioritizing, and succeeding in your studies
in the context of competing activities of friends, work, family, etc.
First: try our exercise in time management:
How do you spend your time each day?
Strategies on using time:
These applications of time management have proven to be effective as
good study habits.
As we go through each strategy, jot down an idea of what each will look
like for you:

Blocks of study time and breaks

As your school term begins and your course schedule is set, develop
and plan for, blocks of study time in a typical week. Blocks ideally are
around 50 minutes, but perhaps you become restless after only 30
minutes? Some difficult material may require more frequent breaks.
Shorten your study blocks if necessary-but don't forget to return to
the task at hand! What you do during your break should give you an
opportunity to have a snack, relax, or otherwise refresh or re-energize
yourself. For example, place blocks of time when you are most
productive: are you a morning person or a night owl?
Jot down one best time block you can study. How long is it? What
makes for a good break for you? Can you control the activity and
return to your studies?

Dedicated study spaces

Determine a place free from distraction (no cell phone or text
messaging!) where you can maximize your concentration and be free
of the distractions that friends or hobbies can bring! You should also
have a back-up space that you can escape to, like the library,
departmental study center, even a coffee shop where you can be
anonymous. A change of venue may also bring extra resources.
What is the best study space you can think of? What is another?

Weekly reviews
Weekly reviews and updates are also an important strategy. Each
week, like a Sunday night, review your assignments, your notes, your
calendar. Be mindful that as deadlines and exams approach, your
weekly routine must adapt to them!
What is the best time in a week you can review?

Prioritize your assignments

When studying, get in the habit of beginning with the most difficult
subject or task. You'll be fresh, and have more energy to take them on
when you are at your best. For more difficult courses of study, try to

be flexible: for example, build in reaction time when you can get
feedback on assignments before they are due.
What subject has always caused you problems?

Achieve "stage one"--get something done!

The Chinese adage of the longest journey starting with a single step
has a couple of meanings: First, you launch the project! Second, by
starting, you may realize that there are some things you have not
planned for in your process. Details of an assignment are not always
evident until you begin the assignment. Another adage is that
"perfection is the enemy of good", especially when it prevents you
from starting! Given that you build in review, roughly draft your idea
and get going! You will have time to edit and develop later.
What is a first step you can identify for an assignment to get
yourself started?

Postpone unnecessary activities until the work is done!

Postpone tasks or routines that can be put off until your school work is
finished!
This can be the most difficult challenge of time management. As
learners we always meet unexpected opportunities that look
appealing, then result in poor performance on a test, on a paper, or in
preparation for a task. Distracting activities will be more enjoyable
later without the pressure of the test, assignment, etc. hanging over
your head. Think in terms of pride of accomplishment. Instead of
saying "no" learn to say "later".
What is one distraction that causes you to stop studying?

Identify resources to help you

Are there tutors? An expert friend? Have you tried a keyword search
on the Internet to get better explanations? Are there specialists in the
library that can point you to resources? What about professionals and
professional organizations. Using outside resources can save you time
and energy, and solve problems.
Write down three examples for that difficult subject above?
Be as specific as possible.

Use your free time wisely

Think of times when you can study "bits" as when walking, riding the
bus, etc. Perhaps you've got music to listen to for your course in music
appreciation, or drills in language learning? If you are walking or
biking to school, when best to listen? Perhaps you are in a line
waiting? Perfect for routine tasks like flash cards, or if you can
concentrate, to read or review a chapter. The bottom line is to put
your time to good use.
What is one example of applying free time to your studies?

Review notes and readings just before class

This may prompt a question or two about something you don't quite

understand, to ask about in class, or after. It also demonstrates to

your teacher that you are interested and have prepared.
How would you make time to review?
Is there free time you can use?

Review lecture notes just after class

Then review lecture material immediately after class.
The first 24 hours are critical. Forgetting is greatest within 24 hours
without review!
How would you do this?
Is there free time you can use?

Select one of the ten applications above.

and develop a new study habit!
Try something you have a good chance of following through and
accomplishing.
Nothing succeeds like a first successful try!
Try the University of Minnesota's Assignment Calculator
Develop criteria for adjusting your schedule
to meet both your academic and non-academic needs
Effective aids:

Create a simple "To Do" list

This simple program will help you identify a few items, the reason for
doing them, a timeline for getting them done, and then printing this
simple list and posting it for reminders.

Daily/weekly planner
Write down appointments, classes, and meetings on a chronological
log book or chart.
If you are more visual, sketch out your schedule
First thing in the morning, check what's ahead for the day
always go to sleep knowing you're prepared for tomorrow

Long term planner

Use a monthly chart so that you can plan ahead.
Long term planners will also serve as a reminder to constructively plan
time for yourself
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Time Management Tips For Students

The time management skills and disciplines that you develop as a student
can help you for the rest of your life. Do something today that your future
self will thank you for.
Here are some tips to help you develop good time management skills.

A. Create good study habits

1. Study at the same time each day so that it becomes a habit.
2. Plan for weekly reviews.
3. Set aside blocks of study time (about 45 minutes each).
4. Keep your study area just for studying and get rid of distractions.
5. Write down assignments in every class including the DUE DATE and
then check off items as you complete them.
6. Take advantage of open time windows.
Use the time you spend waiting, walking, riding, etc. to review what
youve learned.
Just before class, quickly review your notes or readings relating to that
class.
B. Plan Properly for Peak Performance
1. Set up a school-year calendar to get a big picture of your semester
dont include too much detail at this point.
2. Schedule your fixed commitments. Block out time for papers, projects,
readings, meetings, scheduled exams, holidays, breaks, presentations,
etc.

Allot time for planned recreation, sports, club activities, etc.

Enter important dates for your social and family life.
Leave free time for yourself so you have flexibility.

3. Make a Weekly Schedule. Once a week block out time on a more

detailed level for important commitments and deadlines you need to
meet. Schedule meetings with yourself to work on back-burner items.

4. Make a Daily To-Do List. At the end of each day organize and schedule
your next day. Include routines, errands, and study time.
C. Follow your plan
1. Dont let peer pressure or the quest for short-term gratification dictate
what you consider important.
2. Focus on the goals youve set for yourself and follow up on your true
top priorities.
3. Align your priorities with your long-term values and goals.

D. Set priorities: Theres always more to do than you have time for
1. Be mindful that the actions you take today will plant the seeds for your
long-term success or failure.
2. Think of the possible actions you can take today that will contribute to
your success.
a. Go over each action youve thought of and ask yourself, What positive
things might happen if I make this a top priority?
b. Ask yourself, What negative things might happen if I dont make it a
top priority?
c. Write down the answers youve come up with and sort things out by
asking yourself three more questions.
1. How good or bad are the best and the worst things that might happen?
2. What are the probabilities of the best and the worst thing happening?
3. How much time and energy would I have to invest?
E. Overcome procrastination
Without a date, youll procrastinate. Whenever you get an assignment, set
a goal for when youre going to start it so you can finish without a last
minute panic.
1. Once youre given a due date on an assignment, count backwards from
the due date to establish a start date. Take into account time youll be
spending on other items like social events, sports, etc. Refer to your
school calendar where youve blocked out time youve committed to other
things.
2. Keep stress to a minimum. Start early to avoid a frantic finish.

3. If you usually wait until the last minute to study or work on an

assignment, instead of making your goal to finish on time, make your
goal to finish early.
4. Remember the riddle, How do you eat an elephant? The answer: A
bite at a time. If its a big assignment, break it into small steps.
F. Look Back From the Future
Things that appear critically important today might seem relatively
unimportant when you view them from a future perspective. Also, things
that appear to be relatively unimportant today might be very important
when you view them from a future perspective.
Looking back from the futurebackcasting instead of forecastingwhich
items will have been the most significant for you to have accomplished to
achieve your ideal week, month, year, and life?
Backcasting one week from now? ..
Backcasting one month from now? ..
Backcasting one year from now? .
Backcasting five years from now? ..
Backcasting from near the end of your life? .
School represents a time in your life that may have a major impact on
how the rest of your life turns out. Your success tomorrow depends on
what actions you take today. Keep that in perspective so that the daily
decisions you make are wise ones.
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