Time Management Tips

Scheduling and managing time wisely are important for the college student.  If you miss important appointments and deadlines you will cause complications to both your academic and social lives.  The following time survey will help you analyze how you now use your time and allow you to set your priorities for busy schedules.

Estimate the amount of time spent on each item, multiply it by seven (days of the week), add all times together and subtract 168 hrs from it (the total possible hours in a week).  The remainder will be your possible study time.  OK - here we go!

1.  Number/hours of sleep each night	______ x 7 = ______
2.  Number/hours grooming  per day	______ x 7 = ______
3.  Number/hours for meals (include prep time)	______ x 7 = ______
4.  Total travel time weekdays	______ x 7 = ______
5.  Total travel time weekends	______ x 7 = ______
6.  Number/hours per week for regularly scheduled functions  (clubs, church, etc.)	______ x 7 = ______
7.  Number/hours chores, cleaning, each week	______ x 7 = ______
8.  Number/hours in class each week	______ x 7 = ______
9.  Numbers/hours per week socializing (dates, etc)	______ x 7 = ______
Now add up your totals	_______
Subtract number hours in a week	- 168
Total number of hours you have allowed yourself to study!	_______

Study Hour Formula
To determine how many hours you need to study each week to get A's, use the following rule of thumb:

Easy class credit hours	_____ x 2 = ______
Average class credit hours	_____ x 3 = ______
Difficult class credit hours	_____ x 4 = ______
Total	______

Compare this number to your time left from the survey to study.  Now is the time when many students might find themselves a bit stressed.  Try this guideline for a week and make adjustments as needed.  Schedule your study time when you are most energized. 

Now that you know how you spend most of your time, take a look at it and think about what are your most important things. Below are some tips on how to budget your time when it seems you just don't have enough:

• Organize and set goals

• Prioritize (by date, deadlines, etc)

• Keep a "to do" list

• Study at your best time of the day (are you a morning person?)

• Eliminate the Urgent - work toward reducing "urgent things" by doing them on time

• Don't put it off - break it into smaller tasks that are easier to accomplish

• Learn to say "NO" to friends and family that interrupt your study time

• Reward yourself  by finishing the job, making a good grade, or getting there on time

Scheduling can become a habit.  Make it work for you.

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Counseling and Student Development Center, George Mason University
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln