Untitled Document

The Student Wellness Peer Educators

(SWPE)

Time Management

Managing your time successfully implies accomplishing what is most important for you. When you don't accomplish what you truly want, you feel confused, compromised, and frustrated. Many people try to use time management techniques that work for others, only to be disappointed. Often it is because they don't also identify the goals most important to them and gear the techniques toward those goals. Effective time management must include techniques for good prioritizing.

With the pace that society is currently operating under, time management is of ever increasing importance. Most people are aware of the fact that individuals become financially wealthy because of their financial management skills, but few realize that these individuals are also excellent time managers. Managing time is no different than managing money. The better that a person manages their time, the more they can accomplish.

Time management is a skill that can be learned easily, but must be practiced daily. Individuals who are effective time managers are usually effective at many other things because they are organized and are aware of what other tasks have planned to accomplish. The level of organization provided by practicing time management skills will increase productivity and efficiency without a doubt.

Time Saving Tips

Prioritize. Decide on your long term goals and set short term priorities within these goals.
Concentrate. Eliminate self-made interruptions and distractions. Minimize interruptions imposed upon you by others, especially phone calls and drop ins.
Categorize your work, school, household, and personal responsibilities, focus on doing what you have to do, and want to do, one day at a time.
Break down major tasks into small ones so the work is more manageable, you can reward yourself after you finish each step, you keep better track of your progress, and you can avoid trying to do too much or at the last minute. Set realistic deadlines for completing key projects.
List all upcoming commitments and/or important reminders on one central calendar to facilitate planning.
Learn to say no easily and gracefully.
Never do more than major thing at any one moment, although you might shift back and forth among projects.
Develop a system for tracking your daily activities such as the things-to-do list.
Periodically revise your short and long term goals.
Don't worry about the future or feel guilty about the past. Be aware of how the past teaches you, and how your current plans and efforts can improve the future.
If you don't know, ask someone who does.
Organize your home and/or office so everything is accessible, using "active" and "inactive" criteria for placement of materials.
Although daily expense records should be maintained, allocate a certain day each month for financial management (when bills are paid, accounts checked).
If you procrastinate, make sure the deadline isn't too close and don't feel guilty about it.
Organize your wardrobe so that you make full use of those clothes you already own.
Frequent stores, restaurants, service centers, or banks during non-rush or off-hour times (You generally won't find lines at the post office when it's raining).

Specific Techniques

While it is important to develop your own style for managing your time and work, consider how the following techniques might help you.

FIRST, STACK THE CARDS IN YOUR FAVOR. For example:

Use your biological rhythms to your advantage.
- Identify your times of the day when your energy levels are at their highest and do your most important work at those times. For example, if you work best in the morning, do not plan all your studying for the evening.
Optimize your work environment.
- Keep things you need in your work area and make sure the physical environment is conducive to concentration, not just comfort. You may need to experiment to determine the right work environment. For example, some work best in a quiet setting while others work best with background music; some work best amidst clutter, while others need a cleared desk or table; some work best at a place reserved only for study while others work best at a kitchen table; etc. Find what works best for you!
Safeguard blocks of work time.
- Protect your time by saying "no" to various interruptions, activities, requests, or persons. Interruptions are a two-fold problem: the interruption itself, and the expectation of further interruptions. Both reduce your effectiveness considerably. Some interruptions can be avoided by keeping in mind the following:
  - Arrange your work area so that your back is to the traffic flow.
  - Close and use a special space such as a library carrel or an office where friends will be unable to find you.
  - Unplug your phone, or install an answering machine. Return telephone calls when it is more convenient for you, perhaps when you take a study break.

Helpful Links:

How to Control Your Time?	Five Reasons Why We Procrastinate
How Should You Use Your Time?	Myths of Time Management
Scheduling Your Time	Setting Priority

Go back to Topics & Programs / SWPE