A Report on time management how to improve spending time on studying

Table of Contents
2. Introduction...............................................................................................................................2

3. Literature review.......................................................................................................................2

3.1 Time management...............................................................................................................2

3.2. Study skills...........................................................................................................................3

4. Key findings................................................................................................................................4

5. Recommendations......................................................................................................................6

References.......................................................................................................................................8
1. A Report on time management how to improve spending time on studying

2. Introduction

Time management, is the process of scheduling and distributing of time in accordance to the job

at hand and according to Croft (1996), the process needs the balancing leisure, employment and

studies. Working along the management guidelines is difficult, but with the aid of techniques and

skills it is more productive. With better time management skills, one is bale to improve their

grades, avoid stress and also enhance competitiveness through peak performance. Misra and

McKean (2010) points out that managing one’s time is a significant element in successful study

which includes finding a particular number of hours for studying each week, which simply

begins by allocating one or two hour daily to a module. The aim of this report is to explore the

concept of time management and also to identify the best way of increasing potential study time.

3. Literature review

3.1 Time management

Time management is the processes prioritizing, scheduling and distributing of time in accordance

to the task to be handled as shown by the pickle jar theory. The theory proposes that we imagine

a big jar that is empty, which can hold up to five giant pickled onions, then fill the jar with rocks

ensure the jar accommodates am much as possible; afterwards, pour small pebbles to fit in the

cracks, then fill it with sand later on fill it with water. Certainly, the jar is filled to the rim

(Oshana, 2012). Purposely, the exercise is that the jar symbolizes time and the capacity one

holds. The rocks resembles what we prioritize first to others, the pebbles represents the minor

and less essential tasks or hobbies. Therefore, there is a need to squeeze our life to enhance

carrying out of various tasks, this is represented by the added sand (Oshana, 2012). Finally, there

is water that represents everything else that get in way of superior choices.
Consequently, Bill Gates has been applying theory in all of his endeavors. He endorsed an active

schedule, where he ensures he has encompassed all entailed to him. The schedule proves him to

be workaholic though he has time for family and time to rest. His schedule allows him to act in a

sequential manner (Foley, 1998).

3.2. Study skills

Reading is the skill to understand words that are contained in a text and utilize it for personal

development as well as growth. Reading habits is a practice that a person can develop as a result

of engaging in the intellectual activity (Tidwell et al., 2009). Therefore, study skills play an

important role in empowering a person to attain practical efficiency through well-thought-out

and deliberate patterns of study that help one in mastering a subject and passing of the

examinations. With effective study skills, one can evaluate their academic attainments through

self-study. Notably, while some students have very good and recommendable skills, others

exhibit poor skills (Cottrell, 2013). 

Reading is an activity that is time consuming, hence the reader needs to create time to engage in

the activity. Some of the students read for recreation whereas there are these who read for the

formal request. The difference in the motive for reading effects on how one plans time for

reading (Tidwell et al., 2009). Perhaps, the incessant growth of poor reading habits among the

students, academic performance regarding the examination results has been dismal and this

raises questions on the techniques and the styles they are employing in their studying (Gettinger

and Seibert, 2002). The enthusiasm emanating from the eagerness of engaging in the reading

practices voluntarily, is practically absent among the higher number of students in the school
system (Credé and Kuncel, 2008). More so, this is affected by the time plans both the teacher and

the students are being exposed to, this may be at home or at school.

4. Key findings

Table 1. Time allocations for a week

Each

  Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun week

Sleeping 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 58

Timetabled classes 6 4 0 6 2 0 0 18

Journey time 2 2 0 2 2 1 0 9

Socializing 1 2 1 1 2 3 2 12

Exercise and clubs 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 4

Shopping 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3

Preparing and eating food 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 2.5 3 3 19

Other commitments 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 2 4.5

Total 20 19 14.5 21 17 20.5 16 128

Hours available 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 168

Potential time for studying 4 5 9.5 3 7 3.5 8 40

As a student, I am caught up throughout the day, even although I tend to study less. On

Wednesdays, as shown in the table above, I stayed in a particular location, probably at home

since there is no travel and there are also no timetabled classes. Notably, there is cooking and

eating for three hours and the time spend on studying is extremely high which is recommendable

since I spent over nine hours of the day studying. On another day which was a Monday, less time
is spent on studying, although a lot of time is spent in the timetabled classes. Generally the

movement on the day is fairly done, and time is spent on food, socialization meetings and other

commitments are equitably done. However the potential hours of reading is considered minimal.

As for Tuesday, there is proper utilization of the time. The priorities are accurately allocated

time. Though the day seems busy, there is an issue in time management as there is allocating of

more time in socializing. Moreover, the time spent on reading is considerably little.

On Thursday, there is at least proper utilization of time and allocation of time resources

throughout the day is commendable. Although, very minimal time is spent on studying and more

time is spent on the exercises and clubs. Come Friday, there is an extra hour spent on socializing.

The total hours spent without studying is seventeen hours which is commendable. Notably, the

time allocation to the preference is precise and accurate and time is evenly shared among the

day’s activities. The time spent on studying is fairly done. On Saturday, there is poor time

management in the time for studying as less time is allocated to study through the day, but the

management of the time for the other activities is well distributed among the activities and the

day is highly utilized for there is less waste of time and the student spends twenty hours without

studying. Finally, on Sunday, there is allot of time wastage for the student cannot be account for

six hours. The days is also spent well for there is proper management of time. The allocation of

time to the activities is accurately done, for there is time for studying.

Table 2. Average weekly activity time

 Activity average weekly activity

Sleeping 58

Timetabled classes 18

Journey time 9
 Socializing 12

Exercise and clubs 4

Shopping 3

Preparing and eating food 19

Other commitments 4.5

Total 128

Hours available 168

Potential time for studying 40

According to table 2 above, throughout the week, I was able to carry out the activities in a

precise manner and accurately. However, out of the total available 168 hours, the possible time

to be spent on reading is minimal that is fourty hours. The management of time is poor

considering that less time is spent on studying.

5. Recommendations

There is inconsistency in the studying patterns as observed from the findings in table 1 and 2

above. One should be encouraged to have timetables that act as guidelines for time management,

especially on Wednesday where studying is done for nine hours and the next day for the least

hours of the week. Gates, assures there is consistency in all of his works. He assures he spends

equal time in working throughout the week. Apparently, what guides Gates is the strict

observation of his schedule (BBC News, 2004). In addition, it is important to manage time in

socializing. For instance, on Wednesday, three hours were spent on socializing although to be

more effective, Misra and McKean (2010) suggest that one should have a consistent time

throughout the week on socializing as this will save on the time to study because sticking on the
scheduled allocation of time for study will be even (Neumann et al., 2002). In addition, the

schedule should be well accommodative in that it is flexible enough, in case it is encountered by

a challenge of pullbacks (CIB, 2011). 

On the other hand, priority should also be given to all the activities in a manner that allocates

more time to study. For instance the time spent on preparing food and eating, the thirty minutes

should be spared for studying in that on Saturday one can at least study for four hours

(Hargreaves, 2012). Furthermore, it is important to enforce and set some boundaries when

necessary. In sleeping, the student should assure that the time is considered, hence there is spared

time to actualize all other activities, such as self-study. Actually, the Microsoft Company has

experienced growth for in the schedule of Gates, he prioritizes his activities. He has ensured

work as his first priority, some call him workaholic foe he is cautious about the time spent on a

project (BBC News, 2004). In order for the realization of this time regulations one has to ensure

that they develop the discipline of time cautiousness (Forsyth, 2013). To this regard, one should

always assure the utilization of technical aid such as a watch or clock as this will help them to be

within the time frame.

In conclusion, in as much the student tries there are distractions in the day the student should

ensure he is accountable for and must accommodate time in case of a distraction. The schedule

should have allowance for a rest.

References

BBC News, (2004) "Profile: Bill Gates,”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr//1/hi/business/3428721.stm.

CIB (Chattered Institute of Building). (2011). Guide to good practice in the management of time

in complex projects. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K., Wiley-Blackwell.

Cottrell, S. (2013). The study skills handbook. Palgrave Macmillan.

Credé, M., and Kuncel, N. R. (2008). Study habits, skills, and attitudes: The third pillar

supporting collegiate academic performance. Perspectives on psychological science, 3(6), 425-

453.

Croft, C. (1996). Time management. London, International Thomson Business Press.

Curran, R. (2015). Transdisciplinary Lifecycle Analysis of Systems. IOS Press.

Foley, M. (1998)"Boy Wonder: Microsoft's Bill Gates," Electronic Business.

Forsyth, P. (2013). Successful Time Management. London, Kogan Page.

Gettinger, M., and Seibert, J. K. (2002). Contributions of study skills to academic

competence. School Psychology Review, 31(3), and 350.

Griffin, R. W. (2013). Fundamentals of management. Cengage Learning.

Hargreaves, S. (2012). Study skills for students with dyslexia. Sage.

Misra, R., and McKean, M. (2000). College students' academic stress and its relation to their

anxiety, time management, and leisure satisfaction. American Journal of Health Studies, 16(1),

41.

Neumann, K., Schwindt, C., and Zimmermann, J. (2002). Project scheduling with time windows

and scarce resources: temporal and resource-constrained project scheduling with regular and

nonregular objective functions.

Oshana, R. (2012). DSP for embedded and real-time systems: expert guide. Oxford, Newnes.

Tidwell, D. L., Heston, M. L., and Fitzgerarld, L. M. (2009). Research methods for the self-study

of practice. [Dordrecht], Springer.