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Managing study: Time management

Tips on how to study smarter, not harder, based on research and experience

Research shows that all successful people are smart managers of themselves in time. 

Have you thought about planning how you will use your time?

Image credit: Malvestida Magazine. (2019, February 19). Clock hands image [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/FfbVFLAVscw    

Smart time managers make personal choices about what they do every minute of a day. 

Therefore time management is actually about self management.

Time management is about structuring what you can do and when you can do it. 

  • Carefully plan your time
  • Balance your workload
  • Finish your assignments before deadlines
  • Avoid unnecessary stress!

Time management hack: Weekly budget time sheet by Mason Learning Services

Studying changes loved and opens opportunities! The story of the has has helped many students to complete study tasks or goals online. Don't forget to prioritise you family, health and relationships too. In the end, study is just one part of a good life. 

   

  Take a moment to think:

  • What are your rocks or your goals? These will be the things that are very important to you.
  • What are your stones or short-term goals or daily tasks? 
  • What is your sand or the minor tasks that are not urgent or very important? 

Get organised - stay organised!

The checklist shows what needs to be done to stay organised and have a successful term. 

Before you start

♦ Attend orientation

♦ Get your class timetable

♦ Confirm transportation and route to polytech

♦ If you wish, ask for a personal education plan (PEP) to clarify your educational goals
On your first day

♦ Find out where your classes are held

♦ Read course outlines for course objectives, class times, assessments, required materials and tutor contact information

♦ Log onto a campus computer

♦ Get familiar with campus (classes, parking, cafeteria, toilets, Learning Commons/Library)
In your first week

♦ Buy required course materials such as textbooks and stationery

♦ Log in to Moodle and find the pages for your courses

♦ Use a computer or wall calendar to make a plan for the term. Schedule in tests, exams and assignment due dates
Each day

♦ Make a 'to do' list to focus your activities. Refer to your weekly plan to make this list

♦ Do readings and homework

♦ Set aside time to review what was taught in class - Organise notes
Each week

♦ Make a weekly timetable that shows all the tasks in the upcoming week. Set aside time to exercise, relax and spend time with family and friends

♦ Review lecture notes and power points from the week before

♦ Read about next week's topics and tasks

♦ Check your course Moodle pages for additional resources posted by your tutors
Throughout your study

♦ Attend class!

♦ Stay informed of important polytech dates such as registration, fee deadlines and course withdrawal dates

♦ Ask for help when needed!

Study, learning and halving a life outside

 

  • A student has to balance: study, social life, employment, family, sport or
    exercise, sleep, eating, personal commitments, interests and cultural responsibilities. Sometimes that may seem a difficult task.
  • Maintain your health and wellbeing. As students get busy it's easy to neglect the things that maintain our health and wellbeing.
  • Consider how you manage
    • getting physical exercise
    • healthy eating
    • relaxation
    • getting enough sleep so you can stay healthy and reduce stress.
  • Start early on assignments or exam study.
  • When due dates and exams get near, you may need to set priorities.
  • You may need to postpone some personal commitments, to meet deadlines, reduce stress levels and stay healthy.
  • Explain to your family or your community why you need extra time for study --
    ask for their help.

 

Useful links/resources

  9 Best scientific study tips (including how long to study) 

   Create a monthly personalised study calendar

   Assignment timeline planning calculator

   Visual timer for visual people and Explanation 

   Pomodoro technique for study in timed slots with breaks:

       > Pomodoro timer from Study for Future

Image credit: Windows.com. (2020, September 29). Planners [Photograph]. https://unsplash.com/photos/SwHvzwEzCfA

Image credit: Possessed Photography. (2019, September 8). Rerouting [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/0La7MwJhSyo