HOW TO STUDY IN COLLEGE

Chapter 2 – Managing Your Time

About time . . .

Precious, irreplaceable commodity Use of time can determine success or

failure in college or on the job 1987 survey - college freshmen spent 1/3

of waking time in social/leisure time – nearly twice that spent on studying

2009 study – Facebook/Academics Gain time in two ways: doing a job in less

time than usual, using small blocks of time you usually waste

Saving Time

Our habits save or waste time Eliminate bad habits that waste time Develop good habits that save time Identify areas of “hidden” time

Create a record of daily activities to see where to save time.

Change your time habits

Defy Parkinson’s Law (work expands to fit the time allotted). Set difficult to reach deadline for each task,

strive to meet deadline. Reward yourself for goals reached – relax,

take a break, chat, have a snack . . . If you don’t meet a deadline, hold back the

reward and set another goal.

Change your time habits

Obey your alarm clock: Avoid the snooze button! Set the clock for the time you want to get

up, not the time you want to start getting up.

Change your time habits

Take “time out” Reward with regular, short breaks Learning in small stretches instead of one

continuous stretch helps retention (cramming doesn’t work!)

10 min. every hour – being consistent should help you study with more energy, and you have something to look forward to.

Change your time habits

Jot down thoughts: Obligations, stray ideas

Make the most of “hidden time” Carry pocket work Use your mind when it’s free – study cards,

puzzles, etc. Use info in audio format – recordings of

lectures, podcasts pertaining to studies Employ spare-time thinking – recall

info/obligations Use your Subconscious – write down ideas as

soon as they occur (even in your sleep!)

Using Time Schedules

Time Schedule – a game plan (for a day, a week, a semester) for what you want to do and how you’ll do it. Provides greater control

Makes plans seem more manageable Allots time for all tasks (not just the ones you

enjoy), so you’ll do them Discourages laziness Schedule review sessions to avoid cramming

Using Time Schedules

Time Schedule – a game plan (for a day, a week, a semester) for what you want to do and how you’ll do it. Encourages relaxation – no wasted time

worrying about what to do next Saves time – helps shift smoothly between

activities Provides freedom – frees you from time’s

control – can help avoid habitual lateness Increases flexibility – disorganization wastes so

much time, there’s no time for flexibility.

Three-part scheduling plan

Master schedule Basic structure for organizing activities

weekly schedule Adds specific details to master schedule – helps

adapt time to changing priorities daily schedule

Puts the weekly schedule into a portable form; brief yet specific list of day’s tasks and the time blocks you plan to accomplish them in.

Despite different functions, all three follow the same guidelines, covered in the next slides

Three-part scheduling plan - guidelines Plan time in blocks – method for breaking up

responsibilities and dealing with them one by one.

Don’t waste big blocks – save small assignments for little bits of time

Study during prime time – figure out when you're at your most productive

Study before recitation classes and after lecture classes

Include non-academic activities – such activities are necessary for overall mental and physical wellness

Use the Task-Based Principle of Ivy Lee Every evening write down the 6 most

important tasks for the next day in order of priority

Every morning start working on task 1 and continue until finished . . . Keep going through tasks

At the end of the day, get rid of list and start over.