1

Start Your Semester Start Your Semester Right On TimeRight On Time

Learning Center Shippensburg University

Time Management for Time Management for College StudentsCollege Students

GOOD NEWS

All college students have the same 24 hours each day and the same 168 hours each week

Everyone can learn and develop their own personal plan for time management

BAD NEWS

Some students fall short of the personal management skills needed to use their time wisely

2

3

Why use a time management plan?Why use a time management plan?

To provide To provide structurestructure and and balancebalance among among all of the things you all of the things you needneed and and wantwant to do to do

To provide a road map to To provide a road map to accomplishaccomplish academic and personal academic and personal goalsgoals..

To learn To learn newnew and and differentdifferent time time management skills since college is management skills since college is different from high school.different from high school.

Task #1: PrioritizingTask #1: Prioritizing

What do you HAVE to do?

What SHOULD you do?

What COULD you do?

What would you LIKE to do?

4

What’s What’s Important Vs. Important Vs. UrgentUrgent

What’s Urgent What’s Not As Urgent

What’s Important

• Getting assignments done on time• Reading for class• Meeting deadlines• Studying• Getting to know your professors

• Making friends• Getting a job• Exercise• Getting acquainted with the campus• Staying in touch with family and friends from home

What’s Not As Important

• Checking emails and phone calls• Some meetings• Some social activities

• Technology• Distractions

*Assess what is important for you to do right away and what can wait

*Make a table to see what is most important/urgent vs. not as important/urgent for you

*Adapted from http://www.effective-time-management-strategies.com/time-management-matrix.html

5

Task #2: Making a ScheduleTask #2: Making a Schedule

Once you have prioritized what is most important/urgent for you to do, create a schedule for yourself (daily/weekly/monthly)

Put the schedule somewhere you can see it every day and add new information as needed

Buy a planner or calendar

6

7

Planned Weekly Schedule ExamplePlanned Weekly Schedule Example*Your weekly schedule *Your weekly schedule

can identify specific can identify specific times for:times for:

ClassesClasses Studying/HomeworkStudying/Homework Writing Papers Writing Papers WorkWork Sports Sports

(Games/Practices)(Games/Practices) ROTC ScheduleROTC Schedule Extracurricular Extracurricular

ActivitiesActivities

Tip: Use different colors Tip: Use different colors or highlight or highlight each each activity in a different activity in a different colorcolor for easier for easier viewing.viewing.

Sample Monthly CalendarSample Monthly Calendar

8

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat

1WIFYS C/C Paper Due2HC– Speech Outline Due34Quiz– WH I5Psych Exam Chap 1-4678Fall Break9Fall Break1011HC– Pers Speech12Psych Project Due131415WIFYS Pers. Rough Draft Due1617Art Apprec MidtermPsych Quiz18WH I Midterm1920212223HC Quiz24252627282930HC– Group Project Due31

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat

1WIFYS C/C Paper Due2HC– Speech Outline Due34Quiz– WH I5Psych Exam Chap 1-4678Fall Break9Fall Break1011HC– Pers Speech12Psych Project Due131415WIFYS Pers. Rough Draft Due1617Art Apprec MidtermPsych Quiz18WH I Midterm1920212223HC Quiz24252627282930HC– Group Project Due31

9

Task #3: Avoid Procrastination!Task #3: Avoid Procrastination!

Perhaps the #1 enemy of college success

Strategies:– Ask yourself – Why are you putting specific

things off?– Do not wait until the night before to start a

big project! Start big projects early. Break it into manageable parts.

10

The Keys to Your Time The Keys to Your Time Management PlanManagement Plan

Set precise and realistic goals

Develop a plan for the whole semester

Commit to your plan 100%!

Keep in mind the times of day that you are most effective!

11

More Time Management Hints!More Time Management Hints! Take advantage of small breaks (use half-hours or

hours between classes to get work done)

Participate in a study group for reinforcement of your learning process

Allow time each week to adjust your schedule for unexpected changes or for when more intense studying is required

Look ahead up upcoming events so that you are prepared when they arrive

12

More Helpful HintsMore Helpful Hints

Establish a study routine to study at the same place and time each day

Study as soon after class as possible

Reward yourself– Example: Read and study before your

favorite TV show then reward yourself by watching the show stress-free

13

Get Help Scheduling for Big Get Help Scheduling for Big Projects/PapersProjects/Papers

Try using this URL for research Try using this URL for research paper planning:paper planning:

http://www.lib.umn.edu/help/calculator

14

Where to Get More HelpWhere to Get More Help Learning Center (717) 477-1420 First Floor of Lehman Library: http://www.ship.edu/learning/

AIM participations will receive credit for viewing this Power Point presentation by answering the questions below and emailing your replies to aim@ship.edu.

1. Was this presentation useful?

2. Which part of the presentation did you find most useful?

3. Which part of the presentation was the least useful?

4. What are you going to do now based on what you have learned from this presentation?