1. Build a monthly calendar.

1. Make or buy a large monthly calendar.
2. Be sure it has large blocks of space for each day.
3. As soon as you learn about test and exam dates, as well as paper deadlines, enter them on the calendar.
4. Enter all other major events which will occur in your life during the semester.

2. Build a weekly schedule.

This schedule will make you aware of how much time you actually have each week and will help you use that time effectively.

* Schedule the following activities:

1. Work
2. Class time
3. Recreation and family time
4. Eating, sleeping, exercising, cleaning, etc.
5. Outside commitments -- meetings, church, etc.

* Schedule 2 hours of study for each hour of class, and fill in specific study times:

1. Schedule study time in one-hour blocks when possible
2. Try to schedule study periods before and after classes
3. Work on the most difficult subjects when you are most alert
4. Schedule breaks and rewards
5. Leave some study time open for priority items
6. Make a daily "to do" list.

This list should be made the night before or first thing in the morning and can be written in a small notebook or on a 3x5 card:

1. Prioritize items you want to do.
2. Keep the list with you.
3. Cross out items as you finish them.

4. How to make the best use of your time.

1. Plan your day in advance -- before you go to bed or the first 20 minutes of the day.
2. Do the most important things first.

* Block out sections of time for the upcoming week for major activities.

1. Don't let interruptions destroy your big plan.
2. Fill up idle time with small tasks: balance your checkbook, memorize a list, organize your notebook, clean, etc.

* Long or short car trips are great for memorizing information.

1. Tape note cards up around the house with formulas, definitions, etc. The bathroom and the kitchen are good places for the cards to be hung.
2. Rest; if you are tired and run down, you'll have a hard time concentrating.

All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy

1. It should be 5-10 minutes long.

2. It should represent a change of activity.

3. It should start with a review and end with a preview.

Action That is Rewarded Occurs More Frequently

GUIDELINES FOR USING REWARDS

1. Reward small units of accomplishment.

2. Give yourself the reward immediately after the accomplishment.

3. As a reward, use anything you value.

4. Make the reward proportional to the accomplishment.

DEVELOPING A STUDY TIMETABLE

1. Write down the number of hours used for classes and labs.
2. Write down the number of hours spent on a job, if you have one.
3. Write down the number of hours spent on sports and school activities.
4. Write down the number of hours needed for routine activities like eating, dressing, etc.
5. Write down the number of study hours and which subject you will study during each hour (check to see that you are following the guidelines).

1. Study your most difficult subjects in the morning.
2. Spread out your study of each subject over the week.
3. Study the same subjects at the same time each day.
4. Don't study similar subjects one right after the other.
5. Schedule related study periods before discussion classes and after lecture classes.
6. For each hour you spend in class, spend about two hours studying.
7. Leave some study time to allocate as needed.

1. Plan two hours of study time for every hour you spend in class.

2. Study difficult subjects first.

3. Avoid scheduling marathon study sessions.

4. Be aware of your best time of day.

5. Use waiting time.

1. Use a regular study area.

2. Don't get too comfortable.

3. Use a library.

1. Pay attention to your attention.

2. Agree with living mates about study time.

3. Notice how you misuse time.

4. Get off the phone.

5. Learn to say "No."

1. What is one thing I can accomplish toward my goal?

2. Is this a piano?

3. How did I just waste time?

4. Would I pay myself for what I'm doing right now?

5. Can I do just one more thing?

 

Mark your answers below.

                (B)ig problem (O)ften a problem     (S)eldom a problem

Planning

1. Not setting goals ___ ___ ___

2. No daily plan ___ ___ ___

3. Priorities unclear or changing ___ ___ ___

4. Leaving tasks unfinished ___ ___ ___

5. Crisis management ___ ___ ___

6. No self-imposed deadlines ___ ___ ___

7. Attempting too much--unrealistic time estimates ___ ___ ___

8. Personal disorganization/cluttered desk ___ ___ ___

9. Duplication of effort ___ ___ ___

10. Confused responsibility and authority ___ ___ ___

11. Multiple bosses ___ ___ ___

12. Doing it myself ___ ___ ___

13. Involved in routine details ___ ___ ___

14. Ineffective delegation ___ ___ ___

15. Lack of motivation ___ ___ ___

16. Not managing conflict ___ ___ ___

17. Not coping with change ___ ___ ___

18. Telephone interruptions ___ ___ ___

19. Drop-in visitors ___ ___ ___

20. Lake of self-discipline ___ ___ ___

21. Too many interests ___ ___ ___

22. Inability to say "No" ___ ___ ___

23. No standards, progress reports ___ ___ ___

24. Incomplete information ___ ___ ___

25. Meetings ___ ___ ___

26. Under or over-communicating ___ ___ ___

27. Unclear communication ___ ___ ___

28. Failure to listen ___ ___ ___

29. Socializing ___ ___ ___

30. Snap decisions ___ ___ ___

31. Indecision/procrastination ___ ___ ___

32. Socializing ___ ___ ___

33. Decision by committee ___ ___ ___

34. Perfectionism ___ ___ ___

TIME-SAVERS TO THE RESCUE

1. Learn to set priorities on things like projects, tasks, meeting agenda items, routine items and interruptions.

2. Start with top priority items -- don't get sidetracked by the little things that will nibble away at your day.

3. Fight procrastination -- do it now if it is important.

4. Subdivide large, tough tasks into smaller, easily accomplished parts.

5. Establish a quiet hour when interruptions are screened out and your co-workers know that you are concentrating on major projects.

6. Learn to say "no" when you have something important to do, when the additional work/task/project is out of your area of responsibility, or when it can just as well be done by someone else.

7. Learn to delegate on a regular basis.

8. Accumulate similar tasks and do them all at one time.

9. Minimize routine tasks -- spend only the time they deserve. Also, shorten low-value interruptions and throw away junk mail when it arrives.

10. Avoid perfectionism. Remember, while excellence is a goal to strive for, perfection is probably not a time-efficient goal.

11. Avoid over-commitment. Be realistic about what you can do in the time available.

12. Don't over-schedule. Allow some flexible time for crises and interruptions.

Adapted from Ferner 189-98

ACE Center

Questions or Comments? Email us at ace-center@stchas.edu