Time Management
Top 10 tips for better time management
- Look carefully at how you use your time. Keep a diary
- Use a time planner to organise your term so that you know when assessments are due
-
Make a daily ‘to do’ list and stick to it. Use the online assignment scheduler to break your assessment into smaller tasks and create a daily 'to do' list
- Prioritize. Do the most important tasks first
- Plan your study time. A short break every hour will keep you more alert
- Find a good place to study and have it well organised. Ensure everything is set up before you settle down to work
- Divide big jobs into smaller pieces
- Use times during the day when you would otherwise be simply waiting. Even if it is just 10 minutes, have things like flash cards ready to use
- Learn to say “NO”
- Make time for yourself to relax and enjoy life
Top 10 time wasters
- Lack of planning
- Procrastinating
- Interruptions: For example: drop in visitors, pop up e-mails, unplanned or unnecessary telephone conversations
- Surfing the net
- Cluttered desk / poor personal organization
- Inability to say “no”
- Ineffective communication
- Leaving tasks unfinished
- Attempting to do too much
- Ineffective delegation
Top 10 ways to fight procrastination
Procrastination is avoiding doing things which should be done.
- Think positively: Use positive statements such as “"No time like the present" or “ I have done it before and can do it again”.
- Plan: Decide what has to be done and how you are going to do it
- Break bigger tasks into smaller pieces.
- Establish routines
- Do not expect perfection
- Ask for help if you need it
- Be realistic about how long it will take to complete the task
- Remind yourself that it is actually your time you are wasting and the sooner you complete the task, the sooner you can move on.
- Form the habit of celebrating completed jobs - but do get back on task after you have celebrated!
- Get going!!
“Procrastination is the thief of time.” - Edward Young (1683-1765)
Time Management last updated 25 August 2008
