Time Management

Fiona Brantley

There are 168 hours in a week. Everybody gets the same number of hours, but not everybody utilizes his or her time wisely.

Have you ever had a day where you did very little and then wondered, “Where did all the time go?” This is one of the reasons we schedule important tasks. Now that you are a full-time Georgia Tech student, you will realize how important it is to prioritize your responsibilities and utilize your time effectively. Time Management is a noun AND a verb. It is something that you do. As a result, this unit will focus on sharing tips and tools that will help you better manage your time and yourself in order to be successful.

TIPS FOR TIME MANAGEMENT

 Create a weekly schedule

  • Create a schedule and stick to it.
  • Be sure to schedule:
    • STUDY and HOMEWORK
    • At least 7 – 8 hours of SLEEP
    • Activities of daily living, i.e. laundry, meals, baths—these take time, too!
    • Don’t forget to schedule some fun things to do. If you don’t, you will become resentful and revolt against your own schedule.

Plan your semester

  • Schedule your time at the beginning of each semester
  • Plan ahead for long term projects
  • Include study time for all classes each week
    • This will help you stay on top of your classes and will ensure you’re not “surprised” by a test (or, worse, a week with multiple tests!)

Use the study cycle (PLRS)

  • Preview: Prepare before class—read the textbook and review your notes.
  • Lecture: Attend class, take notes, complete assignments, and ask questions.
  • Review: Review your notes immediately after class. Create a study plan for the material.
  • Study: Review your notes and the textbook. Reflect on any questions you have. Review and restate the main points and ideas.

Prioritize and plan your time

  • Not all time is created equal; an hour spent cramming for a test the night before is not as valuable as an hour spent going over an assignment immediately after it is given

Use an Activity Log

  • If you’re not sure how you’re using your time, keep an activity log one week to see how your time is being spent

Be aware of your most productive times

  • When are you most alert?
  • Consider what times you schedule your classes, based on your own periods of productivity

Monitor and limit time on social media

  • Put your phone on “airplane mode” when you’re studying in order to avoid the temptation of texting, social media, YouTube, etc.

Find the right place to study

  • There are a number of great places on campus to study—find one that works for you
  • Be aware when a study spot is not working. If you study in bed, and find that “study time” quickly gets converted to “sleep time,” find another spot

Learn to say no

  • Be selective about the things you say “yes” to
  • Learn to say “no”—no matter how tempting the activity is—if you don’t have the time to commit

Avoid Procrastination

  • Don’t wait until you “feel like it” to begin each task—act! Sometimes your feelings will get in the way of progress.
  • Try the Pomodoro Technique to help break your work down into small, manageable chunks.

Utilize academic resources

All materials in this section are licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0.