Key Takeaways for review

1. Analyze the impact of your surroundings while you study.
2. Identify your typical procrastination behaviors and make a list of strategies to avoid them.
3. Assess the degree to which multitasking and personal technology may help or hinder your study efforts.

time Management Project: Making the Most of Your Time

Part 1: Create a Time Log (25 points) 

Purpose: Allows you to log how much time, during a week, you spend on each activity of the following activities:

• Class time (# of hours in class)
• Job/work
• Studying
• Commuting/transportation time
• Extracurricular activities (worship, clubs, sports, etc.)
• Family responsibilities (cleaning, cooking, etc.)
• Sleeping
• Eating
• Personal grooming (bathing, hair, make-up, etc.)

Instructions: Use the Create A Log worksheet to thoroughly log your activities for 7 days without trying to change your “typical activities.”

Part 2: 168 Hours in a Week (25 points) – Complete Part 1 first!

Purpose: Allows you to evaluate your Time Log and think about how you are using your time to determine how much time you spend on each various activities, if enough time is spent on the right activities, and when you have your smart hours (the time of day when you are most alert and productive).

Instructions: Use the PART 2 worksheet to evaluate your weekly activities to determine if you are allowning enough time to study.

Part 3: Weekly Time Table (25 points)

Purpose: Helps you develop a weekly schedule that allows you to complete important assignments, projects, activities and other events that you have committed to for the semester.

Instructions:

• Before you fill your Part 4 Time Table, use a highlighter to color any grid that defines your SMART HOURS. When possible, your critical activities should be completed during the highlighted grids (your SMART HOURS).
• Indicate all fixed activities such as class times, work schedule and leisure activities. If work varies, indicate a typical work schedule.
• Indicate at least 2 hours of homework/study time per credit in which you are enrolled, e.g. 12 credits requires 24 hours of homework/study time.
• Indicate time for commuting, meals/grooming, errands, relaxation and sleeping 

NOTES:

• Don’t fill-in every time slot, leave room for necessary adjustments
• Make room for entertainment and relaxation
• Make sure you have time to sleep and eat properly
• Combine activities: Use the “Two-fer” concept. If you are waiting in line, bring your flashcards to memorize.

In at least 2-3 well-written paragraphs (at least 150-200 words), reflect on the following questions:

• What you have learned as a result of completing this project?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• What were your time management strengths?
• What were your weak areas or time management obstacles?
• Did you find yourself procrastinating important tasks?
• Did you have difficulty getting enough study time, sleep, family time, or leisure time?
• How did you adjust your schedule to try to better manage your time?
• Based on this assignment, what strategies will you use to manage your time for the remainder of the semester? (What will you do differently?)

Part 1: CREATE A TIME LOG

At the end of each day, reflect on how you spent your time. Estimate the time for each of your activities (refer to directions for suggested list of activities) and note when you felt most alert.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Part 2: 168 HOURS IN A WEEK

This part can only be completed AFTER you complete part 1 “Create A Time Log”

 Step 1:   Identify your “SMART” hours

Most of us are “smarter” at certain times of the day or night than we are at others.  Everyone has high and low periods of attention and concentration. Are you a “morning person” or a “night person?” Use your power times to study; use the down times for routines such as laundry and errands. The easiest way to determine your SMART hours is to note the time of the day when:

• You can read longer without falling asleep
• Ideas come to you more quickly when you’re writing
• You’re better at communicating your thoughts

—Indicate your typical SMART HOURS each day this week …

All of the following charts mentioned in steps 2-4 can be found in the Your Use of Time section in this chapter.

Step 2:  Review the chart Recommended Study Time. How do you feel about the amount of study time suggested? Are you taking the right number of courses?

Step 3:   Use the Study Time Calculator to figure out how much time you have each week to study. If you have enough time to study, how will you make the most of that time? If you don’t have the time you need to study, how will you think through prioritizing so you can be successful in your academics.

Step 4:   Check out the Balancing Work and School chart. How do you feel about number of work hours suggested per course credits?

Part 3: WEEKLY TIMETABLE

Part 4: Summarize and reflect on what you learned.

In at least 2-3 well-written paragraphs (at least 150-200 words), reflect on the following questions:

• What you have learned as a result of completing this project?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• What were your time management strengths?
• What were your weak areas or time management obstacles?
• Did you find yourself procrastinating important tasks?
• Did you have difficulty getting enough study time, sleep, family time, or leisure time?
• How did you adjust your schedule to try to better manage your time?
• Based on this assignment, what strategies will you use to manage your time for the remainder of the semester? (What will you do differently?)