Study Skill #1 - Tally your Total Time

Good time management skills are absolutely crucial to effective study habits. Many people have great intentions when it comes to studying but find themselves running out of time and having to throw work together right before the deadline. Balancing all of your commitments can be quite a challenge, so learning now to organize your time efficiently will not only help you academically; it will become a necessary skill used for the rest of your life.

The first step to managing your time is to plan ahead. At the beginning of the term, make a calendar that details commitments you have made, your work schedule, your class schedule, and all assignment due dates. Then start setting aside time for studying and completing projects. Remember to give a fair amount based on how many hours you’re taking. Go through a similar routine at the beginning of every week, just more specific. List out exactly what you’ll be doing that week and when you can study. Finally, make a daily plan – even more specific. Check things off your list once they’re completed; and try to accomplish everything rather than just pushing it off until the next day. Planning ahead will go far in making sure that time doesn’t just slip away from you.

The next step in managing your time wisely is to evaluate yourself. After a few days or weeks of living/working/studying, take a look at all of the things that took up your time. Estimate how much time you spent on activities like eating, traveling, shopping, bathing, socializing, studying, etc. (If you can’t recall, keep a journal so that your numbers will be accurate.) Then consider the list and see if you are surprised at the amount of time you spend on any activities. Access whether or not you are using your time efficiently and spending enough time studying. Identify any time-wasters (Remember that some time spent relaxing is very important to a healthy lifestyle; don’t cut out all down-time as a waste.), and see if there’s anything in your schedule that you need to change.

Finally, follow these few extra time management tips:

• Make your study sessions somewhere between thirty minutes and two hours. Take short breaks every couple of hours.
• Be realistic about how much time you should spend working and how much time you need to relax and recoup.
• Try to set attainable goals so that you’re not sabotaging yourself. This has to do with amount of time as well as the quality of work. Not everything can be perfect.
• Start things well in advance in case you run into problems, and give yourself early deadlines.
• Help keep yourself motivated with rewards.
• Prioritize your work based on when it’s due and how much it’s worth.