Too much to do, too little time? Here are a few ideas to help you manage that precious - and finite - commodity.
1. Set some goals.
These will help overcome procrastination. As much as you don’t want to tackle that assignment, you DO want the qualification. Make your goals SMART.
- Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
- Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
- Achievable (agreed, attainable).
- Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
- Time bound (time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).
- Click here for more information:
- https://www.mindtools.com/a4wo118/smart-goals
2. Make a timetable
Schedule items to complete during different days of the week. Mark in important dates. Review your schedule weekly. Share your timetable with family & friends.
3. Prioritize
Use the 80-20 Rule which claims 80% of the reward comes from 20% of the effort. The trick to prioritising is identifying that valuable 20%. Once identified, focus on those items with the greatest reward.
When prioritizing think about:
- due dates of assignments
- the value of assignments e.g some may be worth 50% of total marks
- questions worth more points than others.
- this is where your effort should go.
4. Make a To-Do List
Best completed at the beginning of the day. Write your tasks down then break them down into smaller, more do-able portions – sometimes known as the Swiss cheese method. Read about it here:
https://cmd.wichita.edu/hackett-in-management-swiss-cheese-approach/#:~….
SOME USEFUL TIME MANAGEMENT SITES:
Holmesglen Library website has useful templates & tips to help you manage your time. Click here:
https://holmesglen.libguides.com/studyskills/timemanagement
Holmesglen Outlook Email
-Online. Perhaps the 'best' online calendar for students
-Can setup/receive appointments inside your email account. You can also go into your calendar and add events like assignment due dates etc.
Calendar Labs https://www.calendarlabs.com/printable-calendar.php
-Printable. Can customise 'study periods' (e.g. for a term or semester)
Google Calendar calendar.google.com/calendar
-Online. Syncs with all devices (e.g. tablets, laptops) and is viewable/editable on all these devices where a user is logged-in
Need more help?
Contact Learning Skills Centre: learningskillscentre@holmesglen.edu.au
"Time" by Nick J Webb is licensed under CC BY 2.0.