timemanagement

Time Management

drawing of alarm clock

Does anybody really know what time it is?

Does anybody really care?

Why should I manage my time?

drawing of man trying to move the hand on a large clock

Good time management helps you get the things done you need to do, and helps reduce stress!

Lessons on Time management - a story

The professor stood before his Philosophy 101 class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up the very large and empty mayonnaises jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full?

They agreed it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He then once more asked if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous --- yes.

The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and proceeded to pour the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

" Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, " I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life".
" The golf balls are the important things ---- your family, your partner, your health, your children, your friends, your favorite passions --- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full".
" The pebbles are the other things that matter, like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff." "If you put the sand into the jar first", he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you". "Pay attention to the things that are important to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out for dinner and dancing". "There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first. --- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. the rest is just sand"

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.

The professor smiled and said "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there is always room for a couple of beers".

But I don't like being tied to a set schedule.

Sorry, but you aren't as spontaneous and flexible as you think!

Chances are, when your alarm clock goes off in the morning, you hit the snooze button the same number of times every morning. When you finally get out of bed, you follow the same routine to wash, and get dressed that you do every day. When you dress, which sock do youput on first? Your left or right, it's always the same! When you brush your teeth, where does your toothbrush start? It's always the same spot! When you put on a coat, which arm goes in the sleeve first? It's always the same!

These habits or patterns help us get through our day without having to think about every little thing we do. Most of these habits have no effect on how we do academically, but some may actually be leading you toward failure or they may actually have caused you to fail in the past.

If you hit your snooze button 10 times every morning and are still on time to your first class, that's not a problem. But, if you hit your snooze button once every day, and are always five minutes late, that's a problem. Do the following examples of poor patterns sound familiar? When you try to study, do you have trouble concentrating? Do you spend 3/4 of your study time preparing your study area and only 1/4 of your time studying? Have you ever said ``My teachers don't treat me fairly''? Do you schedule classes early even though you like to sleep in? When your alarm goes off, do you keep ``snoozing'' until you end up arriving late for classes or appointments? If some of these examples sound like you, then you may have

``PROGRAMMED YOURSELF TO FAIL!''

Programmed to fail means that the loops of your life, the patterns and habits that you use for your daily survival contain ``gliches'' that lead to failure. You place yourself in situations that you know you don't do well, and then blame the situation.
If you choose to adopt the study habits and patterns in this book, you can eliminate the ``glitches'' and move toward success. The key is understanding that YOU CHOOSE! We are quick to place blame outside of ourselves, but we must learn to accept responsibility for what we feel and do.

WHO CONTROLS YOU?

YOU DO!

The first step to managing your time effectively is to see what you are doing now.	The links below take you to activities which will help you look at your current patterns.
	Schedule
	Schedule tally
	Know yourself

Flexibility is knowing what you are going to do but not being afraid to change. Avoid future schedule conflicts by planning ahead.
Do you know where all your classes are? Who your instructors are? How to get a hold of them? and What texts, if any, you need for your classes?	Know your classes
Do you know the General Education Requirements?	Do you know the degree requirements for your major?
Do you keep an appointment/assignment calendar?	Students who do, will have on average, a higher GPA than students who don't.

But most calendars have a built in complication; they only show part of the standard academic time period. Quarters run for three months. Most calendars are day/week/ or month at a glance.
You need to make a quarter at a glance calendar. First put in all the important things in your life (your golf balls). Include all the important things that determine your grades in your classes - test dates, assignment due dates, etc. You should put it in a spot where you will see it every day, by your refridgerator, your bathroom mirror, next to the TV. That way, you won't be surprised by anything "popping up" on you at the last minute.	Quarter Calendar

Planning a schedule: What should be in your schedule:

Scheduling classes:

Plan your schedule wisely, select classes at times when you are alert. Avoid classes at times when you are tired or when they may conflict with other activities (e.g. sunbathing, soap operas, naptime).
Don't overburden yourself. Keep class hours to a minimum, especially if you have family obligations, work, have lab courses, or are experiencing unusual emotional strain or changes(stress).
Don't schedule back to back classes if at all possible, and NEVER schedule more than two classes in a row (you will tax your memory and your stamina). Use the time in between classes for immediate review and preparation for your next class.
Schedule classes at about the same time every day. Scheduling classes only two or three days a week is not recommended. If you work, try to work the same time every day, and go to class the same time every day. Patterns help reduce stress.
Schedule special activities (play, meals, appointments, auto repairs, tutors) at other than class time. Remember these words:"I can't make it at that time; I have a class. Can we do it at another time?"

Study:

Recreation:

Play - Set aside some time for yourself every day. Do what you like to do for fun, to unwind, to "goof off"(games, movies books, dance, etc.).
Exercise - The goal of exercise is to increase strength, endurance, and flexibility. Exercise includes activities that use large muscle groups that can be maintained continuously and is rhythmical and aerobic in nature. Examples of good exercises include running, jogging, walking/hiking, swimming, skating, bicycling, rowing, cross-country skiing, rope skipping, and various other endurance game activities.
Relaxation - Relaxation includes activities which limit the sensory input and physical activity of your body, e.g. yoga relaxation, transcentential meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, positive imagery, or simply sitting in a quiet space with no distractions, breathing deeply and allowing the tension and stress to leave your body.

Eating:

Eat at about the same times each day.
I recommend a diet like the Zone. Eat a well balanced meal containing fats, protein, and low density carbohydrates. The ideal ratio is one part fat, two parts protein, and three parts carbohydrate.
Eat lower on the food pyramid - less meat, especially beef.
Eliminate junk food from your diet.

Sleep:

Sleep at at about the same times each day.
Try to sleep enough so you can wake rested, usually 5-7 hours per night.

Patterns

Our bodies like rhythms and patterns
Try to do similar things (gross physical actions) at about the same time every day.