Write "Class" (e.g. ESS 101) in all the time blocks that you spend attending classes, labs, study groups, or workshops.
Write "Work" in the appropriate time blocks.
Write "Trans" in those portions of the time blocks in which you travel to and from campus and to and from work.
Block off with an X realistic amounts of time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Block off and write F-H in blocks of time committed to inflexible family/household responsibilities or personal care. (e.g., laundry, pick up sister, cook, shower).
The empty time blocks are those available for study time and leisure activities. Always schedule study time before you schedule leisure time.
Block off 2-3 hours of study time for every credit you are taking. (e.g., if you are taking 15 credits, you will block off 30-45 hours of study time.)
Try to keep study hours as close to corporate hours as possible: 8am – 5pm.
Finally, any leftover hours are your own to do with as you please. Reward yourself for your efforts.
Tips
Don’t overdo it
Keep your schedule realistic
Set priorities
Be flexible and allow for trade-offs
Remember to allow for more time during midterms and finals
Study some everyday
After oneweek, evaluate your master schedule. Ask the following questions:
Did you over or underestimate the amount of time you needed for each course?
Did you find some conflicts? Can they be resolved?
Did you find some scheduled study time inconvenient? Can they be rearranged?
Did it help you get more work done?
Ideas for Managing Your Time
Establish a routine.
Treat study time as if it were your job
Choose a practical time when you are alert
Pick a quiet place free from other distractions
Set goals – what do you want to learn?
Are they specific and measurable?
Are they challenging and realistic?
Do they have a beginning and a finishing date?
Stay attuned to notes, lectures, text.
Look at your lecture notes for what was stressed
Remember questions the teacher asked
Read subheadings of text or discussion questions at the end of the chapter
Start all assignments.
Develop a time table
Do most difficult and boring subjects first
Schedule according to due date
Prioritize your work
Visualize large projects as a series of small steps
Prioritize your assignments
Devise a schedule: ½ – 3 hours for each hour of class
Alternate activities: reading-writing-reading-writing, etc.
Study 50 minutes, take a 10 minute break
Do not schedule more than 3 hours study time in a row without a break. This is true: Studying long = studying wrong!
Schedule specific tasks
Use last ½ hour for review and memorizing
Studying for exams – one week before exam.
Reserve 1 hour for review for each chapter covered
Reserve 1 hour review for every 1-2 lectures
Add an additional hour for homework review
Study some every day
Save some "insurance time" for extra studying
Analyze your time.
To change, you must understand how you use your time
Decide how you want to use your time in the future
If study time were your job, would you get a raise, or be fired?
Studying on the run.
Write main points of a lecture or chapter on master summary sheet or note cards
Keep master summary sheet or note cards handy so you can study in the car (when someone else is driving!), on the bus, between classes, etc.
Tape record main points and listen to them in the car, or while jogging/walking, etc.
Outside activities.
Don’t spread yourself too thin
Have a good balance
Use your most alert time for studying and use down time for TV, laundry, visiting, etc.