A Personal Time Survey
To begin managing your time you first need a clearer idea of how you now use your time. The Personal Time Survey will help you to estimate how much time you currently spend in typical activities. To get a more accurate estimate, you might keep track of how you spend your time for a week. This will help you get a better idea of how much time you need to prepare for each subject. It will also help you identify your time wasters.
1. Number of hours of sleep each night ______x 7 = ______
2. Number of grooming hours per day ______x 7 = ______
3. Number of hours for meals/snacks per day
(including preparation time) ______x 7 = ______
4. Total travel time weekdays ______x 5 = ______
5. Total travel time weekends ______
6. Number of hours per week for regularly
scheduled functions (clubs, church, etc.) ______
7. Number of hours per day for chores, errands,
extra grooming (haircuts etc.) ______x 7 = ______
8. Number of hours of work per week ______
9. Number of hours in class per week ______
10. Average number of hours spent per week
on homework
11. Average number of hours spent per week
socializing (dates, etc.) Be Honest!! ______
Now add up the totals: ______
Subtract the above number from 168 (hrs in a week) 168 - _____ = ______
The remaining hours are the hours you have allowed yourself to study.
Study Hour Formula
Use the following rule of thumb to help you make your desired grades—study two hours per every hour in class for an easy class, three hours per hour in class for an average class, and four hours per every hour in class for a difficult class. If more hours are needed, take away some hours from easier courses.
Number of Easy Classes ______x 2 = ______
Number of Average Classes ______x 3 = ______
Number of Difficult Classes ______x 4 = ______
Total Number of Hours Needed to Study ______
Compare this number to your time left from the survey. Don’t get stressed yet! It is not only the quantity of study time but also the quality. This formula is a general guideline. Try it for a week! If it doesn’t work well make adjustments as you go.
Time Management
Helpful items to own:
1. A week-at-a-glance calendar for recording:
appointments due dates special activities
exam dates birthdays other important events
2. A file box with manila folders and labels to store:
Materials of importance:
school records / grades, etc.
financial records / receipts, bank statements, etc.
other important miscellaneous items
Materials of interest:
travel career possibilities sentimental documents
recreation potential projects other miscellaneous documents
3. A small "all purpose notebook" as a record keeper for:
new ideas movies you want to see words to look up
journal books you want to read phrases / jokes you want to remember
4. A week's schedule sheet --procedure for creating an efficient, reasonable schedule:
Make a complete list of all the things you do in a week (examples):
classes extracurricular activities
sleep & morning ritual miscellaneous (allergy shots, letters)
meals convocation
labor free time
exercise study
Determine how many hours you need for each item you listed.
Example: PSY 100A 8 hours
GER 102A 5 hours
Sleep 8 hours
Soccer 2 hours
TOTAL: 23 hours
Be sure to allot extra time for inconsistencies in assignments etc.
Helpful Hints:
1. Never study a subject more than 90 minutes at one time, unless you are enjoying it.
2. Always plan time for yourself every day, no matter how heavy your load.
3. Take relaxing breaks between hours of study.
4. Set reasonable goals for study time. Calculate how much you must do each study time to stay on schedule. Example: I can read seven pages of my psychology text in one hour so I need three hours to complete the chapter.
5. Do hardest assignments when you are most alert. This also assures that you will get these assignments finished.
6. Do not pretend to study. When you sit down to study, do not piddle around. Study!
7. View your schedule as a guide, not a dictator.
Use the attacked time sheet to plan your regular week.
Time / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday / Sunday7:00 AM
8:00 AM
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
10:00 PM