TIME MANAEMENT TIME MANAEMENT STRATEGIES STRATEGIES

FOR IMPROVING FOR IMPROVING ACADEMIC ACADEMIC

PERFORMANCEPERFORMANCE

Nursing Study SkillsNursing Study Skills

IntroductionIntroduction Many times students have not had to Many times students have not had to

manage their time efficiently  prior to manage their time efficiently  prior to vocational education because they are vocational education because they are bright and weren't really challenged in high bright and weren't really challenged in high school. school. 

The situation often changes in after high The situation often changes in after high school, because everyone who goes on after school, because everyone who goes on after high school, did well in high school but the high school, did well in high school but the full range of grades are assigned.  full range of grades are assigned. 

Some students who received A's and B's in Some students who received A's and B's in high school are now receiving C's and D's in high school are now receiving C's and D's in college or vocational education.  college or vocational education. 

Those receiving lower grades are probably Those receiving lower grades are probably no less capable than those receiving higher no less capable than those receiving higher grades but often their study skills, including grades but often their study skills, including time management, are less effective. time management, are less effective. 

You can Do itYou can Do it

We all have 168 hours in a week!We all have 168 hours in a week!

To use as we wish; however, some To use as we wish; however, some people make better use of this time people make better use of this time than others. than others.  If you perceive that this is an area If you perceive that this is an area ofof that needs improvement, this that needs improvement, this program program is for you.  is for you. 

Throughout the program, you will Throughout the program, you will learnlearn ways to Use your time moreways to Use your time more effectively.effectively.

If you can identify with any part of the above If you can identify with any part of the above paragraph, working on improving your time paragraph, working on improving your time management may be beneficial to you.management may be beneficial to you.

In this program, you will be given the opportunity to In this program, you will be given the opportunity to assess where your time goes and make some assess where your time goes and make some decisions about changes you would like to make to decisions about changes you would like to make to use your time more effectively.  There is no one right use your time more effectively.  There is no one right way to manage your time; however, it is important to way to manage your time; however, it is important to get to know yourself so you can make good get to know yourself so you can make good decisions about how to use your time.  decisions about how to use your time. 

We all have 168 hours in a week to use as we wish; We all have 168 hours in a week to use as we wish; however, some people make better use of this time however, some people make better use of this time than others.  If you perceive that this is an area of than others.  If you perceive that this is an area of your life that needs improvement, this program is for your life that needs improvement, this program is for you.  Throughout the program, you will learn ways to you.  Throughout the program, you will learn ways to use your time more effectively.use your time more effectively.

ACTIVITY

To begin this program, on a piece of paper make a list of the top five ways you waste your time.

picture of a sunset,

telephone, work, beach setting, trees, computer, etc

TIME MANAGEMENT QUIZTIME MANAGEMENT QUIZ

Do you estimate how many hours you will Do you estimate how many hours you will need to study each week?    Yes Noneed to study each week?    Yes No

Do you meet assignment deadlines? Yes No Do you meet assignment deadlines? Yes No

Do you begin working on semester long Do you begin working on semester long projects early in the semester? Yes Noprojects early in the semester? Yes No

Do you write a daily "to do" list?  Yes NoDo you write a daily "to do" list?  Yes No

Do you prevent social activities from Do you prevent social activities from interfering with your study time? Yes Nointerfering with your study time? Yes No

Time Management QuizTime Management Quiz

Do you begin your study time with your most Do you begin your study time with your most difficult assignment? Yes Nodifficult assignment? Yes No

Do you complete most of your studying during Do you complete most of your studying during your most productive hours each day?  Yes your most productive hours each day?  Yes NoNo

Do you think of being a full-time student as you Do you think of being a full-time student as you would a full-time job? Yes Nowould a full-time job? Yes No

Do you have a job that requires fewer than 10 Do you have a job that requires fewer than 10 hours a week? Yes Nohours a week? Yes No

Do you set specific goals for each study period? Do you set specific goals for each study period? Yes No Yes No

Time Management QuizTime Management Quiz

Do you have a job that requires fewer than Do you have a job that requires fewer than 10 hours a week? Yes No10 hours a week? Yes No

Do you set specific goals for each study Do you set specific goals for each study period? Yes Noperiod? Yes No

Do you begin your study time with your most Do you begin your study time with your most difficult assignment? Yes Nodifficult assignment? Yes No

Do you complete most of your studying Do you complete most of your studying during your most productive hours each during your most productive hours each day?  Yes Noday?  Yes No

Do you think of being a full-time student as Do you think of being a full-time student as you would a full-time job? you would a full-time job? Yes NoYes No

Determining Your ScoreDetermining Your Score

When you have answered all the When you have answered all the questions, to your Time Management questions, to your Time Management QuizQuiz

Scores it, by adding the points for Scores it, by adding the points for each question. each question.

If you have a high total score (15 is If you have a high total score (15 is the maximum score possible), this the maximum score possible), this indicates that you are using effective indicates that you are using effective time management techniques.  If your time management techniques.  If your total score is low, it may be helpful to total score is low, it may be helpful to learn some techniques for using your learn some techniques for using your study time more effectively. study time more effectively.

Four Steps to ImprovingFour Steps to Improving Your Time Management Your Time Management

There are four strategies that can be There are four strategies that can be Very useful for managing time more Very useful for managing time more effectively.  effectively. 

They are:They are:

1) Create a semester schedule1) Create a semester schedule 2) Assess and plan your work load each 2) Assess and plan your work load each week. week. 3) Adjust your plan each day.3) Adjust your plan each day. 4) Evaluate your schedule.4) Evaluate your schedule.

Strategies for accomplishing each of these tasks will be discussed Strategies for accomplishing each of these tasks will be discussed on the next few pageson the next few pages

SStrategies for accomplishing each trategies for accomplishing each of these tasksof these tasks

CREATE A SEMESTER SCHEDULECREATE A SEMESTER SCHEDULE ASSESSING AND PLANNING YOUR ASSESSING AND PLANNING YOUR

WEEKLY SCHEDULEWEEKLY SCHEDULE

ADJUST YOUR SCHEDULE EVERY ADJUST YOUR SCHEDULE EVERY DAYDAY

EVALUATE YOUR SCHEDULEEVALUATE YOUR SCHEDULE

Where Dose Time Go?Where Dose Time Go?

It may seem like there aren't enough hours in It may seem like there aren't enough hours in the week to get everything done.  That may the week to get everything done.  That may be true or it may be that you are not using be true or it may be that you are not using your time as efficiently as possible. your time as efficiently as possible. 

To assess where your time goes, complete To assess where your time goes, complete

the inventory on the next page.  Be as honest the inventory on the next page.  Be as honest with yourself as you can.  Some of the items with yourself as you can.  Some of the items are done every day so those will need to be are done every day so those will need to be multiplied by 7 to arrive at a weekly total.  multiplied by 7 to arrive at a weekly total.  One item may be done any number of times a One item may be done any number of times a week so you'll need to multiply that one by week so you'll need to multiply that one by the number of times each week you do it. the number of times each week you do it. 

After you have responded to all the After you have responded to all the questions, you'll have an opportunity to see questions, you'll have an opportunity to see how many hours remain during the week for how many hours remain during the week for studying.studying.

Number of Hours

per Day

Number of Days per

week

Number of hours per

week

On the average, how many hours do you sleep in each

24 hour period, including those afternoon naps?

Multiply

On the average, how many hours a day do you engage

in grooming activities?

On the average, how many hours a day do you spend

on meals, including preparation and clean-up

time?

X How much time do you spend

commuting to and from campus and how many

times do you do this during a week?  Include the

amount of time it takes to park and walk from your

car or the bus stop to class.

X

On the average, how many hours a day do you spend

doing errands? XOn the average, how many hours do you spend each week doing co-curricular

activities (student organizations, working out, church, etc.)?

On the average, how many hours a week do you work at a job?

How many hours do you spend in class each week?

On the average, how many hours per week do you spend with friends, going out, watching TV, going to parties, etc?

Add the number of hours you are spending each week engaged in daily living activities and school activities.

Total

7

7

4

7

There are 168 hours in a week. Now you can Subtract to find out how many hours remain for studying, since this is not one of the activities included on the previous page.

This will give you the amount of time you have for studying.

?????

How many hours a week do I need for studying?• Most schools recommend that students

study at least two hours outside of class for every hour spent in class, although some recommend even more. 

• Many students are in class for 25 hours per week in class. 

• Therefore, studying at least 50 hours a week

• outside of classes would be recommended.

• Combining the 25 hours a week in class and the 50 study hours outside of class

• students will should plan on spending about 45 hours a week on schoolwork.

Assessment”” My hours indicates that I don't have 50 hours a week to study but I need to study this much to make the grades I want to make.

• Can you reduce the amount of time spent on other activities?

 • If you were going to reduce

these hours, what would you have

• to do to make this change in your schedule? 

• Can you eliminate one or more activities from your schedule? 

• What could you eliminate? 

I do have 30 or more hours a week to study but I don't use them effectively

• The next page in this program discusses several strategies for making your schedule work more effectively. 

• As you read this page, think

about which of these strategies might be most helpful for making better use of your study time.

MAKING YOUR SCHEDULE MAKING YOUR SCHEDULE WORKWORK ! !

Here are some strategies that you may find Here are some strategies that you may find helpful to try if your schedule is not working helpful to try if your schedule is not working as efficiently or effectively as you would as efficiently or effectively as you would like. like. 

When trying any new strategy, it is When trying any new strategy, it is important to practice it regularly and to important to practice it regularly and to practice it long enough that you have a way practice it long enough that you have a way of evaluating whether or not it is helping.  of evaluating whether or not it is helping. 

Tests are good ways to evaluate new study Tests are good ways to evaluate new study strategies.   If you begin a new strategy after strategies.   If you begin a new strategy after one test on which you didn't perform as well one test on which you didn't perform as well as you would like, try a new strategy until as you would like, try a new strategy until you receive the results of the next test to you receive the results of the next test to get an idea whether the new strategy is get an idea whether the new strategy is working for you. working for you.

Identify your best time of Identify your best time of the day!the day!

Studying at your best time of Studying at your best time of the day, whether that is the day, whether that is morning, afternoon, or early morning, afternoon, or early evening, will enable you to evening, will enable you to complete your assignments in complete your assignments in less time.  less time. 

Identify your best time of Identify your best time of the daythe day

Research studies show that Research studies show that what we can accomplish in 60 what we can accomplish in 60 minutes when we're less minutes when we're less fatigued will take as much as fatigued will take as much as 90 minutes to accomplish 90 minutes to accomplish when we are more fatigued.when we are more fatigued.

Study difficult or boring Study difficult or boring Subject Subject 11stst

Study subjects that are more of a Study subjects that are more of a

challenge to you first when you are less challenge to you first when you are less fatigued.  fatigued. 

Save, subjects you like to study for Save, subjects you like to study for later, when you are feeling more tired later, when you are feeling more tired but need to continue to study to keep but need to continue to study to keep up with your workup with your work.  . 

It will be easier to find the motivation to It will be easier to find the motivation to study something you find enjoyable study something you find enjoyable when you are tired than for a subject when you are tired than for a subject you dread studying.you dread studying.

Use the same place to study every timeUse the same place to study every time

Studying in the same place each day is like Studying in the same place each day is like going to class in the same room.going to class in the same room.  

You begin to associate a particular activity with You begin to associate a particular activity with

a particular location so when you are in that a particular location so when you are in that location, you and able to focus on the task at location, you and able to focus on the task at hand more quickly.  hand more quickly. 

Studying on your bed or in your bedroom Studying on your bed or in your bedroom is is notnot advised because you probably associate your advised because you probably associate your bed and bedroom with sleeping, not studying.  bed and bedroom with sleeping, not studying.  It's too easy to take those 10 minute naps that It's too easy to take those 10 minute naps that turn into 2 hour naps.turn into 2 hour naps.

Use the libraryUse the library

Libraries are good places to study Libraries are good places to study because this is the only activity because this is the only activity we do in this environment.we do in this environment.

If there are reasons you choose If there are reasons you choose not to use the library, try to find not to use the library, try to find another location outside of your another location outside of your room that provides a good study room that provides a good study environment and is relatively free environment and is relatively free of distractions.of distractions.

Avoid DistractionsAvoid Distractions

Many things can provide a distraction to Many things can provide a distraction to studying if we are looking for ways to studying if we are looking for ways to procrastinate.   procrastinate.  

Earlier in this program, you identified Earlier in this program, you identified your top five time wasters. your top five time wasters. 

For the next few weeks, try to find ways For the next few weeks, try to find ways to reduce the frequency with which to reduce the frequency with which these distracters are interfering with these distracters are interfering with your study time.  This might mean that your study time.  This might mean that finding another place to study would be finding another place to study would be helpfulhelpful

Use waiting timeUse waiting time

If you use public transportation to If you use public transportation to commute to and from campus, there is commute to and from campus, there is probably some waiting time involved.  probably some waiting time involved. 

This is a great time to study discrete This is a great time to study discrete pieces of information such as learning pieces of information such as learning vocabulary for a foreign language class vocabulary for a foreign language class or memorizing a chemical reaction or memorizing a chemical reaction sequence. sequence. 

Write this information on note cards Write this information on note cards and carry them with you so you can and carry them with you so you can study your cards during your waiting study your cards during your waiting time.time.

Treat school as a full-time jobTreat school as a full-time job

Try to accomplish as many of your school Try to accomplish as many of your school tasks as possible within a concentrated tasks as possible within a concentrated period of time, such as 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., period of time, such as 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Monday through Friday. 

If you use these hours either for attending If you use these hours either for attending class or studying, you'll have much more class or studying, you'll have much more free time in the evenings and on the free time in the evenings and on the weekends to spend time with friends.  weekends to spend time with friends. 

Your classes are likely to get the amount of Your classes are likely to get the amount of attention they require as well. attention they require as well. 

Treat school as a full-time job Treat school as a full-time job

It doesn't mean that you'll never It doesn't mean that you'll never need to study in the evenings or need to study in the evenings or on the weekends because there on the weekends because there will still be crunch times and you will still be crunch times and you probably will.  probably will. 

However, treating school as a full-However, treating school as a full-time job and adopting the hours of time job and adopting the hours of a full-time job will probably result a full-time job will probably result in better, in better, more efficientmore efficient management of your time.management of your time.

RECAPRECAP

So far in this program, you have had the So far in this program, you have had the opportunity to:opportunity to:

Identify your top five time wastersIdentify your top five time wasters;;

Identify strengths and weaknesses in your time Identify strengths and weaknesses in your time management practices;management practices;

Learn strategies for making a daily, weekly and Learn strategies for making a daily, weekly and semester schedule;semester schedule;

Learn how to evaluate your time schedule;Learn how to evaluate your time schedule;

Assess where your time goes; and, Learn some Assess where your time goes; and, Learn some strategies for improving your time management.strategies for improving your time management.

RECAPRECAP

The next step is to The next step is to set oneset one or or two goalstwo goals that you want to that you want to focus on over the next few focus on over the next few weeks to further improve your weeks to further improve your time management skills. time management skills. 

The next pages will help you The next pages will help you set your goals.set your goals.

GOAL SETTING

Of the strategies that have been discussed, you may be doing some of them pretty well but there are probably at least one or two ways you could still improve your skill in this area.  Think about what you've learned, print out this page, and write down the skill(s) you want to work on during the next few weeks.   Keep them in a place where you'll be reminded of your goals frequently and practice them every day.    

                                     

                      

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Developing good time Developing good time management habits takes time management habits takes time and is hard work.and is hard work.

If you want further assistance If you want further assistance please read the book :please read the book : “ “The One The One Minute Manager”.Minute Manager”.

Be:Be: Time Time ManagementManagement Wise Wise

Be:Be: Structured Structured

Be:Be: Efficient Efficient

BeBe: Organized: Organized

BE: BE: AA Great Great Nurse!Nurse!