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Study Skills : Introduction to Time Management
Introduction to Time Management : sub-module 1 of 6 of time management
The idea of time management might be new to you. Basically, time management strategies allow you to plan out your time so that you can get things done and have a more balanced, less stressful life. In this module, we’ll explore why you need time management techniques, how to figure out how much time you actually need to accomplish your tasks.
Top Tips
- Figure out how much time you need.Determine the time you need in a week, including for things like sleep and commuting; it’s probably more time than you think.
- Plan one ‘study’ hour per class hour.As a general rule, you should be doing about an hour of out-of-class work like studying, reading, and working on assignments for every hour you spend in class.
- Think ahead in the semester.You will probably have more assignments and tests later in the semester, so it’s good to plan ahead.
Activities
Your Time Management Needs
How do you Spend your Time?
Time management looks different for everyone—especially in college. A recent high school graduate might be adjusting to more freedom and self-directed learning, while a mature student may be juggling classes with work or family responsibilities. No matter your situation, understanding how you currently use your time is the first step toward managing it more effectively. Watch the videos below and complete the time audit to get a clearer picture of your personal time needs and where you might need to make adjustments.
Recent High-School Grad
Recent High School Graduate: Introduction to Time Management - Video Transcript - RTFHow to Be Realistic About Your Time
Once you've assessed your personal time needs- activity opens in a new window, you'll know roughly how many hours you need in a week to meet your personal and school commitments.
Watch this video or read the information below for some tips and tools to help you manage your time and bring some balance to your week.
Questions to assess your time needs
Effective time management means creating a balance that allows you to do the things you need to do without getting completely overwhelmed and stressed. This requires being realistic about how much time you need. Try asking yourself these questions:
There are 24 hours in a day and 168 hours in a week. It may seem like plenty at first. But once you factor in the time you spend sleeping, eating, commuting, and handling everyday tasks, those hours can disappear quickly. What might feel like “just a few minutes” here and there can add up to several hours over the course of a week. You might be surprised to discover how much time is taken up by small, routine activities once you take a closer look.
Depending on your program and course load, a good rule of thumb is to spend roughly one hour outside of class for every hour you spend in class. That means if you're in class for 18 hours a week, you should plan to spend an additional 18 hours on homework, readings, studying for tests, prepping for labs, and other coursework. When you add it all up, that’s about 36 hours per week dedicated to your studies—essentially the same commitment as a full-time job. Understanding this balance can help you better plan your schedule and avoid falling behind.
Think about when you will do your outside-of-class work. Consider the following:
- Spread it out.
If you have six hours of class on Tuesday, you don’t necessarily need to go home and study for another six hours. You could plan that study time for a lighter class day, or on the weekend, when you have more time. When you spread out your study time over 7 days of the week, it will likely take you only 2-3 hours per day outside of class time. Working a little every day will be better for establishing a routine, and it will also improve your learning and memory. - Plan study time for when you are best able to do your work.
Not all hours are created equal. For example, how effective are you at 1 o'clock in the morning? One hour of good quality study time is better than three hours when nothing is sinking in. It’s just as much about quality as quantity. - Consider how your workload might change throughout the semester.
Earlier on in the semester, you likely won’t have a lot of big assignments and tests to worry about; however, as the semester goes on, your workload will increase. You’ll likely have several large assignments and tests due all around the same time. Remember that you can think beyond just one week at a time. If you have several busy weeks later in the semester, it can help to get started in an earlier week, when you have more time.
