Manage Your Time

create an organized place to study

A supportive,organized study space can helpyou reduce interruptions and keep you focused. Have all your study tools- pencils,pens,books,papers,files.notes,acalendar,asemesterschedule, andstudyteamandinstructornamesandphonenumbers- inoneplace,so that you won't waste time looking for items you need. Keep only one project on your desk at a time, and file everything else away or put it on a shelf. I f you have children, include a study area for them, close to yours, where they can work quietly with puzzles, crayons, or books. This will allow study time together and create a lifelong study pattern for them.

discretionary time

Although this is your "free" time, you should spend it on the most important things in your life, such as relationships with family and friends; service to the community; intellectual development; and activities that give you joy and relaxation and that contribute to your physical, mental, and spiritual well- being. These should tie in with your Jong-term goals of being healthy, feeling centered and peaceful, and having loving relationships.

be flexible

Around children, certain kinds ofstudying are realistic, and other kinds are hopeless. Carry flash cards lo use as )UU cook dinner or while supervising childreds homework or playtime. Quiz yourself. preview chapters, skim summaries, review definitions, do a set number ofproblems, brainstorm ideas for a paper, outline a speech, review equations, sketch a drawing, or explain a chapter out loud. Save the work that requires deeper concentration for time alone.

communicate with your employer

Communicateyour goals to your employer, and point out how learning additional skills will make you a more valuable employee. Some companies offer tuition reimbursement programs or even allow time off to take a class.

Study in the library

Ifit is difficult to study at home, studyin thelibrary. Once you enter, your brain can turn to a serious study mode. Sitting in a quiet place and facing the wall can reduce interruptions and distractions. You can accomplish far more in less time, and then you can enjoy your friends and family.

interruptions

Interruptions steal time. They cause you to stop projects, disrupt your thought pat- tern, divert your ancntion, and make it difficult to rebuild momentum. To avoid time wasters, take control by setting priorities everyday that will help you meet goals and reduce interruptions. Don't let endless activities, e-mail, texting, and other people control you. For instance, if a friend calls, set a timer for 10 minutes or postpone the call until later, after you have previewed an assigned chapter or outlined a speech. Let calls go to voicemail if you are studying, or tell the caller that you will call back in an hour. Combine socializing with exercising or eatinglunch. I f you watch a favorite program, turn the television off right after that show. The essence o f time management is taking charge o f your life and not allowing inter- ruptions to control you. Complete Personal Evaluation Notebook 3.6 to deter- mine the sources of your interruptions. (Also see Worksheet 3.3 on page I 06 to identify your time wasters.)

Convergent thinkers

Many time-management strategies are designed for people with left-brain dominance. Left-brain dominant people like routine, structure, and dead- lines. They tend to be convergent thinkers because they are good at looking al several unrelated items and bringing order to them.

develop a positive attitude

Negative emotions, such as anger, jealousy, worry, and resentment, can eat up hours of time and sap your energy. Instead, resolve to have a positive attitude and use affirmations. Think, "I get 10 work on my project today," instead of"I have to work on this project." Feel grateful that you have the opportunity to be in college. Resourceful and positive attitudes don'i •! justhappen;theyarecreated.

model successful behavior

Returning to school sends an important message. It says learning, growing, and being able to juggle family, a job, and school are possible, worthwhile, and rewarding. Jt is important for children to see their parents setting personal and professional goals while knowing that the family is the centeroftheir lives. You arc modeling the importance ofgetting an education, setting goals, and achieving them.

divergent thinkers

Right-brain domi- nant people like variety, flexibility, creativity, and innovatiott. They are usually divergent thinkers because they branch out from one idea to many. They are good at brainstorming because one idea leads to another. They arc able to focus on the whole picture. How- ever, they can also learn to break the global view of the whole project into steps. break each of these steps into activities, and schedule and organize activities around the big goal.

look into online options

Seeifanyofyourclassesare offered online or at alternate times, including evenings and weekends. An online class may fit better with your schedule. but it requires just as much commitment as any otherclass- maybeevenmore.SeePeakProgress3.4on page 96 for tips on taking online courses.

create a daily to-do-list

Some people like to write a to-do list for the next day, taking some time at the end of a day to review briefly what they want to focus on for the next day. Others like to write their list in the morning at breakfast or when they first get to school or work List the tasks you need to accomplish during the day and map them out on a daily calendar. Circle or place a number J by the most important priority to make sure it gets accomplished. Make certain you build in time for family and friends. Ifyou have children, plan special events. Bear in mind that the schedule should be flexible; you will want to allow for free time and unexpected events. Follow this schedule for 2 weeks and see how accurate it is. You can follow the format ofthe Time Log on page 78, or see Worksheet 3.6 on page 109, which includes a planner for mapping out your daily to-do list. (Sec Figure 3.1 on page 84 for tips on using a daily planner and to-do list and Figure 3.2 on page 85 on using your cell phone to help manage your time.) Once you have written your list, do your urgent, top-priority items. Keep your commitments, such as attending every class, and don't do fun activities until the most important ones are done. When you see important items checked off, you'll be inspired. It's OK ifyou don't get to everythingon yourlist.Iftasksareleftover,addthemtoyournextto-dolistiftheyarestill important. Ask yourself, "What is the best use of my time right now?"

just say no

Tell your roommates or family when an important test or project is due. Ifsomeone wants to talkor socialize when you need to study, say no. Set aside time each day to spend with you r family or roommates, such as dinner, a walk, or a movie. They will understand your priorities when you include them in your plans. See Peak Progress 3.3 on page 94 for additional lips on how to say no and still maintain a positive relationshi.p.

dont expect perfection

You learn any new task by making mistakes. For example, you become a better writer or speaker with practice. Don't wait or delay because you want perfection. Your paper is not the great American novel. It is better to do your best than to do nothing. You can polish later, but avoiding writing altogether is a major trap. Do what you can today to get started on the task at band.

committed time

timeisdevotedtoschool, labs, studying, work, commuting, family, and other activities involving the immediate and long-term goals you have committed to accomplishing. Your committed rime reflects what is important to your career, health, relationships,andpersonalgrowth- whatyouvaluemost.

surround yourself with supportive people

Ask for help from motivated friends, instructors, or your advisor, or visit the Learning Center for support. Sometimes talking out loud can help you clarify why you are avoiding a project. Study buddies or a study team can also help you stay on track Just knowing that someone is counting on you lo deliver may be enough 10 keep you from procrastinating.

write it down

Adailycalendarisvitaltomakingcertainthatyouractivities support your short- and long-term goals. Write down phone n.umbers, e-mail addresses, and office hours ofinstructors and study team members. Highlight in color any deadlines or top-priority activities. Besides a daily calendar, use a master calendar in your study area and allow for variety and change. Make certain you review both your daily calendar with to-do items and your master calendar before you go to bed at night, so that you see the big picture.

break the project into small tasks

Alargeprojectthatseemsoverwhelming can encourage procrastination. Do something each day that brings you closer to your goal. Use a project board or write down steps and deadlines that are necessary to achieve success. For example, as soon as a paper is assigned, start that day to choose a topic. the next day do research, and so on until each step leads to an excellent paper.

keep a calendar

Aninexpensive,pocket-sizecalendariseasytocarrywith you and handy for scheduling commitments, such as classes, labs, and work for the entire semester. This helps you sec the big picture. Review your calendar each week and list top priorities, due dates, and important school, work, and family activities. Each day, review urgent priorities that must be done by a deadline, such as paying fees, dropping a class, or paying taxes. Schedule important activities that support your goals, such as classes, exercise, study teams, and deadlines for choosing a topic. Jot down people to see or call, such as your instructor or advisor, or activities. such as meetings or social events. Remember, the shortest pencil is better than the longest memory. For example, ifyour advisor gives you a code for registration, put it on your calendar at the date and time for your registration. Don't just write your code on your binder or toss it into your backpack The worksheets at the end of this chapter include handy calendars to help you plan your week, month, and semester.

prepare the night before

Avoid the morning rush of getting e\•eryone out the door. The night before, do tasks such as showering. packing luncl1es, and checking backpacks for keys, books, notes. a nd supplies. Good organization helps makes the rush hoW' a little less stressful.

set daily priorities

Be clear about your goals and the results you want to achieve and allow enough time to complete them. Use your to-do list to check off tasks as you complete them. This will give you a feeling of accomplishment..

break projects down into smaller tasks

Begin by seeing the whole project or each chapter as part ofa larger system. Then break it into manageable chunks. You may get discouraged i f you face a large task., whether it's writing a major term paper or readingseveral chapters. Gettingstarted is halfthe battle. Sometimes working for just JS minutes before you go to bed can yield big results. For example, preview a chapter, outline the main ideas for your term paper, or write a summary at the end of a chapter. You will find inspiration in completing smaller tasks, and you will feel more in control Some students find a project board helpful for long-term projects, as shown in Figure 3.3. on page 86 Begin with today's date (or the start date), along with the due date, clearly indicated at the top. Your start date also shouldberealistic- andassoonaspossible.Thenseparatethe"board"into two columns: "Key Activities" and "Date Completed." In the date column, put today's date (or start date) at the top and the project's due date at the bottom. (Some prefer to reverse that, putting the due date at the top and working backwards. Use whichever process works best for you.) With these two dates set, begin in the activities column bylisting in order the project-related tasks that need to be accomplished between the start and end dates. Go back to the date column and start plugging in optimal dates next to the tasks, working from beginning to end. You may find that the time you think you need for each task adds up to a schedule that extends beyond your due date-obviously, that's a problem. Ifso, revise your dates and create a new schedule that achieves your completion date. (Allow time for proofreading and potential setbacks, such as computer problems.)

use your school's resources

Check out resources on campus through the reentrycenter. Set up study teams for all your classes. Make friends with other students who have children. (See Chapter 4 for more resources for returning students.)

delegate and develop

Clarifyexpectations, so that everyonecontributes 10 the family. Even young children can learn to be important contributors 10 the family unit. Preschool children can help put away toys, set the table, and feel part ofthe team. Preteens can be responsible for cookinga simple meal one night a week and for doing their own laundry. When your children go to college, they will know how to cook. clean, do laundry, get up on time in the morning, and take responsibility for their lives. An important goal ofbeing a good parent is to raise independent, capable, responsible adults.

gather everything you'll need to start your project

Clear offa space, and prepare your notes and other materials. Reread the assigumem, and clarify expectations with your instructor or study team. Having everything ready creates a positive attitude and makes it easier to start the task. This strategy is effective whether you're doing a term paper or making cookies.

create quiet time

Discuss study needs and expectations with your roommates or family, and ask for an ag·reement You might establish certain study hours or agree on a signal, such as closing your door or hanging a "Quiet" sign, to lei each other know when you need quiet time.

find good day care

Explore public and private day-care centers, preschools, family day-care homes, parent cooperatives, baby-sittingpools. other family members. and nannies. Lineup al least two backup sources ofday care.

tackle difficult tasks during your high energy time

Do what is important first, while you are at your peak energy level and concentration is easiest. Once you get a difficult or unpleasant task done, you will feel more energy. When your energy dips and you need a more physical. less mentally demanding task, return messages or tidy up your desk

create positive time

Don't buyyour children toys to replace spending time with them. You can enjoy each otherasyoustudytogether,garden,takewalks,read,playgames,orwatch a favorite television show. The activity is secondary to your uninterrupted presence. At bedtime, share your day, talk about dreams, read a story, and express your Jove and appreciation. Your children will remember and cherish this warm and special time forever, and so will you.

Be flexible, patient, and persistent

Don't try to make too many changes ai once, and don't get discouraged if a strategy doesn't work for you. You are striving for excellence, not perfection. Change certain aspects until a strategy fits your style.Ifitworks,doit.Ifnot,trysomethingnew.Giveyourselfatleasi30daysto develop new habits. I t often feels strange and uncomfortable to do any new task or vary your schedule ofdaily events. For example, you might discover that you have a habit ofgetting coffee every morning and spending an hour socializing with friends before your morning classes. Try chang'ing this habit bydoing it only once a week.

increase your physical and emotional energy

Focus on activities that relax you and help you recharge. Schedule time to meditate. walk, and read for pleasure. Exercise. dance, do yoga, get enough rest, and eat healthy foods. Keep a gratitude journal and remind yourself that you are blessed with a full and rewarding life.

reward yourself

Focus on the sense ofaccomplishment you feel when you make smaU, steady steps and meet your deadlines. Reward yourself with a small treat or break when you complete activities and a bigger reward {such as a nice dinner or movie) when you complete a goal. Work first and play later.

consolidate similar tasks

Grouping similar tasks can maximizeyour efforts. For example, ifyou need to make several calls, make them all at a specific time and reduce interruptions. Set aside a block of time to shop, pay bills, and run errands. Try to answer e-mails at designated times, rather than as each one comes in. Write a list ofquestions for )'Out advisor, instructor, or study team. Make certain you know expectations, so that you don't have to repeat tasks.

study everywhere and anywhere

Ideally, youshouldchoosea regular study location with few distractions, such as the library. However, you should be prepared to study anywhere, as you never know when you might get some unexpected down time. Carry note cards with you to review formulas, dates, definitions, facts, and important data. Take class notes or a book with you to review during the Sor 10 minutes of waiting between classes, for the bus, in line at the grocery store, or for appointments. Digitally record important material and lectures and listen to them while commuting, exercising, dressing. walking, or waiti rig for class to begin. Even lfyou plan well, you will occasionally get stuck in lines, but you can make the most ofthis time.

Focus on a few tasks

It is very important for right-brain dominant people to focus their efforts on one or two top-priority items instead of being scattered and distracted by busywork. Imagine putting on blinders and focusing on one step until it is completed, and then move on to the next step. This creates discipline.

study at your high-energy time

Know your body rhythms and study your hardest subjects during your hig h-energy time. Review the Time Log to determine the time of day when you have the most energy, and complete Personal Evaluation Notebook3.4. Guard against interruptions, and don't do mindless tasks or socialize during your peak energy peri o d For example, i f your peak time is in the morning. don't waste time answering mail, cleaning. or doing other routine work. Use your high-energy time to do serious studying and work that requires thinking, writing, and completing projects. Use your low-energy time to do more physical work or easy reading or previewing of chapters.

communicate with your family

Let famil y members know that earning a college degree is an important goal and you need their support and understanding. Use every bit of time to study before you go home. Once home, let them know when you need to study and set up a specific rime.

balance your life

Reflect on all areas ofyour life and the time you are investing in them. Decide if you are investing too much or too little in each area. Also, look at the roles you play in each area ofyour life. In the family area, you may be a wife, mother, daughter, and so on. In the work area, you may be a manager, a part-time worker, or an assistant. Accompanying each role in your life are certain goals. Some goals demand greater time than others, requiring trade-offs. For instance, you may have a big term paper due, so you trade off a family outing to accomplish this goal. Complete Personal Evaluation Notebook 3.7 on age 97 to determine how you can achieve balance.

use visuals

Right-brain dominant people often like to use visuals. One creativeway to brainstorm, plan, and put your vision imo action is to use a mind map (see Chapter 5, page 155). Use visual cues and sticky notes. When you thinkofanactivitythatwillhelpyoumeetyourgoal,writeitdown.

do the tough tasks first

Start with your most difficult subjects, while you're fresh and alert. For instance, ifyou are avoiding your statistics homework because it is difficult, get up early and do it before your classes begin. Start projects when they're assigned.

study in short segments throughout the day

Studyinginshort segments is much more effective than studying in marathon sessions. Your brain is much more receptive to recall when you review in shon sessions at various times.

Get organized

Think of the time you waste looking for items (and the unnecessary stress it causes). Choose your clothes and pack your lunch the night before, put your keys on the same hook, place your backpack by the door, put your mail and assignments in the same space, and keep records ofbills and important information in your file. Keep an academic file that includes your grades and transcripts, tests, papers, and projects. I f you need to negotiate a grade, you will have the background support you will need. Make sure you save and back up any important work created on your computer and can easily retrieve it (to avoid losing hours ofwork).

integrate learning stules

Visualize )'Ourselfcompleting a project, and create a vision board of your goals and dreams. Use auditory cues by recording yourself talking through ideas and project plans. Make your project physical by adapting a hands-on approach and working with others to complete your project Ask yourself, "Is there a way to simplify this task?" Planning is important, even i f you arc a creative person. Peak Progress 3.2 explores the process oflearning to take control ofyour time.

focus for short spurts

Wediscussedin Chapter 1 how concentrating on one task for a short period of time is more effective and helps create a positive, can-do attitude, such as "I'm going to preview this chapter for 15 minutes with full concentration." This is more effective than telling yourself you're going to study for 2 or 3 hours, which creates a mindset that says, "This is too difficult." Seeing how fully you can concentrate in a short amount oftime builds confidence and uses discipline instead ofguilt and willpower. Before you go to bed or when you have a few minutes during the day, use the same strategy: "I'm just going to spend 10 minutes w r i t i n g a r o u g h d r a f t f o r m y E n g l i s h p a p e r . " A s k y o u r s e l f i f y o u c a n d o o n e more thing to get you started the next day.

determine your optimal time to study

Whenyouarefocused.youcanstudy anywhere, anytime. However, to increase your effectiveness, do your serious studying when your energy level is at its peak.

Realize that you can't do it all (at least right now)

You may feel overwhelmed by 1 0 0 many demands and determine that some tasks are better done by others. This does not mean you can offload your responsibilities onto others, but focus on your important priorities and say no to activities that don't support your goals. Consider delegating certain tasks, joining a club later in the year, or participating in a fundraiser when you are on school break. Do social activiiies when your top- priority tasks are done.

do first things first

Youwillfeelmoreincontrolifyouhavealistofpriorities every day. Knowing what you want and need to do makes it easier to say no to distractions. Make certain that these important goals include your health, taking time to exercise, eat right, and relax.

important priorities

are essential activities that support your long-term goals andcreatetheresultsyouwant- notjustfortodaybutalsoforfuturesuccess.These activities and commitments include attending every class, creating study teams, com· plcting homework, forming healthy relationships, planning. and exercising regularly. People who spend time daily on important items prevent crises. For example, i f you build a personal fitness routine into every day, you will increase your energy, health, and overaU sense ofwell-being and prevent medical problems that result from inactiv· ity and weight gain. Long-term priorities must be built into your daily activities.

urgent priorities

are pressing, deadline-driven projects or activities, such as dropping a class. paying your fees, and turning in papers. They directly affect your top goals and priorities, and not completing them on schedule can require even more time to fix the problem. For example, if you don't meet the deadline for adding classes, you have to pay additional fees or may not get into the class. Not paying for classes on time could result in having aU your classes dropped.

maintenance time

hetimeyou spend "maintaining'' yourself. Activities such as eating, sleeping, grooming (showering, styling your hair, cleaning your contact lenses, getting dressed, etc.), cooking, cleaning/laundry, shopping, and bill paying use up your maintenance time.

procrastination

is deliberately put· ting off tasks, and most of us bave been guilty of putting off doing what we know should be done. However, a continual pattern of delaying and avoiding is a major barrier to time management.

trivial activities

make up all the daily stuff o f life, and many arc major time wasters. These unimportant activities can be fun, such as chatting online, going to parties, shopping, and watching TV. They can also be annoying, such as dealing with junk mail-both real and virtual. The key is to stay focused on your impor- tant, top-priority items and schedule a certain amount of time for trivial activities. For example, because checking Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail, or texting friends can quickly eat up your discretionary time, limit these activities to just a few times each day after major tasks arc done. You want a balanced life and need to socialize with friends, but sometimes a phone call or quick visit can turn into an hour-long gossip session. I f this happens too often, you will not accomplish your important goals.

ongoing activities

require continual attention and may be urgent, but they may not be important. For example, as you go through your e-mail, open mail, and answer phone caJ!s, some messages will be urgent (needing an immediate response) but not important for your Jong-term goals. These activities require continual atten- tion and follow-up and should be managed to prevent future problems. Jot down whom you need to see or call Follow up with deadlines and determine ifthese activ- ities support your top goals. For example, maybe you were pressured to join a club orcommunity group that has been taking a 101 of time. You may need to say, "This ls a worthwhile project and I appreciate being invited to attend, but I cannot participate at this time:' Ask yourself i f this activity meets your highest priority at this time.