Habits of Effective Time Managers
HABIT 1: BE PROACTIVE
Being proactive means taking initiative, not waiting for others to act first, and being responsible for what you do. The opposite of proactive is reactive. Reactive people tend to react to what goes on around them. Proactive people act based on principles and purpose. Think about this a little and then write a brief paragraph detailing specific strategies you can use to be more proactive in your own education; focus on how you can take greater control over your semester.
HABIT 2: BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND
Think things through. Plan your work. The carpenter's rule is "measure twice, cut once." Planning requires that you set realistic goals, not only for your courses, but also for the various assignments you have to complete. Take a few minutes to write out your goals and then list the steps to achieve them. You may even want to add the element of time to each task--how long will it take and when can you do it.
HABIT 3: PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST
Make sure to distinguish the goals that are truly important (e.g. completion of a research project) from those that may seem urgent but are really not important (e.g. arranging the weekend's softball game for your buddies). You do not want to spend an inordinate amount of time doing busywork--work that appears productive but only keeps you occupied.
Every activity we do in a given day can be put into four quadrants:
QUADRANT 1: IMPORTANT/URGENTCRISIS
PRESSING PROBLEMS
DEAD-LINE DRIVEN PROJECTS / QUADRANT 2: IMPORTANT/NOT URGENT
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
PLANNING
LONG TERM PROJECTS
QUADRANT 3: URGENT/NOT IMPORTANT
POPULAR ACTIVITIES
INTERRUPTIONS
PROXIMATE PRESSING MATTERS / QUADRANT 4: NOT URGENT/NOT IMPORTANT
TRIVIA
BUSYWORK
PHONE CALLS, TIME WASTERS
Which quadrant of activities do you think people tend to do the most? The answer is quadrant 4 because these activities usually do not cause any stress. The next is quadrant 3 because the "squeaky wheel" gets the grease, so to speak. However, doing quadrant 4 and 3 activities at the expense of quadrant 1 and 2 activities is an insidious form of procrastination. When you manage your time, make sure that you emphasize quadrant 1 and 2 activities. You may even want to list the things you have to do and then place each item in the appropriate quadrant to help you understand which activities require attention and planning.
The secret to effectively managing time lies in quadrant two. If you focus on quadrant 2 activities, you will have enhanced your vision, perspective, balance, discipline, control, and have fewer crises. Try to set aside time each day to work on something that is important but not necessarily urgent as a way of getting ahead. In doing so, you buy extra time later to handle the unexpected events that invariably happen to everyone.
HABIT 4: LOOK AHEAD
Essential to being proactive, as opposed to reactive, is to project ahead. One way to effectively do this is to keep a calendar for each month of the semester. From the syllabi for your courses and the General Information Catalogue, note the important dates such as test dates, due dates of important assignments, times of mid-term and final exams, holidays, registration periods, drop dates, and financial aid deadlines. In filling out your calendars, note the times of the semester that will be difficult for you and begin to develop a plan to address the difficulties you anticipate.
Get a blank monthly calendar
Because there are numerous activities you will have to balance in a given week, the Learning Center staff strongly encourages you to keep a weekly schedule in which you determine the week's work. Blank weekly schedules are also available in JES A332A.
To use our blank schedule, first block in fixed activities, such as classes, labs, meetings, meals, chores, and sleep. Use this as a master schedule template that you will use to make each week's schedule. (Note the blocks of time that have not yet been scheduled; here is your "playing field.) Then, before each week, make a list of study and other tasks that need to be completed; using this list, add study and recreation times to your schedule. Be specific and realistic.
Things to consider while composing weekly schedule
An effective tool for those students who occasionally have more to do than they can keep track of in their minds is the daily "to do" list. First, plan your day at a regular time in the morning or before bed. Then on a 3x5 card or a sheet of paper, list the specific activities you would like to complete for that day. Examine the list and ask yourself does it emphasize quadrant 1 and 2 activities or does it contain a lot of unproductive busywork?
If regularly composing daily "to do" lists is not your thing, consider using one when you find yourself "in the weeds" for example, during mid-terms or the well-known end-of-semester crunch. A well-crafted list can do wonders.
ONE LAST WORD...
If you have never managed your time before, it will take a little bit of time to learn how and to do it. But just like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get. This, in turn, will allow you to schedule time better and faster. The key, of course, is stick with it for approximately 30 days so that you can evaluate its effectiveness. You may discover that you need to make some slight modifications or maybe even visit the Learning Center for assistance.
Do not assume, however, that you have to do everything outlined in this section of the course. Instead identify those suggestions mentioned that will enhance your way of managing time. Perhaps, you prefer to compose daily "to do" lists rather than to maintain weekly schedules. That's just fine. Be discriminating and remember that, in many cases, you will have to modify our advice to fit your learning style.
While you are scrutinizing your use of time, make sure to note any patterns to your wasting time. Also note under what circumstances you use time effectively. No one knows you better than yourself; in most cases, you are your own best friend.