In the last newsletter I introduced the concept of learning styles and referenced time management - developing time management skills is a journey that will need practice and guidance along the way.
The goal is to help you become aware of how you use your time, and balance competing activities (family, work, and interests) with educating yourself. Try this exercise to gauge these issues on the Study Guides website at http://www.studygs.net/schedule/.
You also need to develop a schedule, but before you do you need to analyze how you use your time, and how you would like to use your time efficiently - here are a few suggestions, but go to the Time Management Guide for a complete list:
- Develop blocks of study time
About 50 minutes? How long does it take for you to become restless? Some learners need more frequent breaks for a variety of reasons More difficult material may also require more frequent breaks - Develop a "to do" list and prioritize assignments.
When studying, get in the habit of beginning with the most difficult subject or task. - Develop alternative study places free from distractions to maximize concentration.
- Got "dead time"?
Think of using time walking, riding, etc. for studying "bits."
Try the University of Minnesota's Assignment Calculator.
Additionally, try to develop criteria for adjusting your schedule to meet both your academic and non-academic needs.
The State of Minnesota's Mindquest Academy's also offers free courses, one of which is "Managing College Success" with sections on Managing Time, Goal Setting, Motivation, Procrastination, and Health and Wellness.
See the website at http://www.mindquestacademy.org/ to register with an instructor. Next time we'll discuss stress management; that goes quite well with time management! Meanwhile, I hope this finds you well.
