Time Management LEARNING SKILLS

What is time management? The use of time to increase your efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity.

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What the Research Shows Effective time management... • reduces emotional stress

• reduces academic stress • improves problem solving ability

• improves academic performance • is the top predictor of Grade Point Average (GPA)

• is a skill highly valued by employers Sources: Misra & McKean (2000), George et al. (2010), Josephs & Hahn (1995) ILEARNING SKILLS GROUP 2015 COPYRIGHT © LEARNING & TEACHING CENTRE

Key skills involved in time management

• Goal setting • Prioritizing • Planning and scheduling http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/timemanagement/g/timemanagement.htm

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1. Goal setting: S.M.A.R.T

• Specific • • • •

Measureable Attainable Relevant Time bound

Which is the S.M.A.R.T goal? • I am creating a new website this year • I am writing 500 words a day for my new 30 page website on Best Restaurants in Sydney by Dec 2015. http://www.smart-goals-guide.com/smart-goal-examples.html ILEARNING SKILLS GROUP 2015 COPYRIGHT © LEARNING & TEACHING CENTRE

2. Pioritising •

The tasks you need to complete to reach your S.M.A.R.T goal

•

The different S.M.A.R.T goals you have

•

The other things you need to fit into your daily life

ILEARNING SKILLS GROUP 2015 COPYRIGHT © LEARNING & TEACHING CENTRE

2. Pioritising Example tool: Decision Matrix Important and Urgent (Crises, deadlines: e.g. call the plumber to fix broken pipe, submit assignment by 5pm today)

Important but Not Urgent (Relationship building, planning, recreation)

Not Important but Urgent (Some phone calls, email, and meetings: e.g. taking a phone call from your mother, someone who wants you to proofread their assignment)

Not Urgent and Not Important (busy work, some emails and phone calls, time wasters, pleasant activities: e.g. playing computer games, checking Facebook)

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/10/23/eisenhower-decision-matrix/ S. Covey, 7 habits of highly effective people

3. Planning and scheduling How much time do you need for your study?

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What does the University expect of you outside of scheduled class hours? •complete assigned weekly readings academic reading is complex and you may have to manage a heavy reading load •complete practice exercises or quizzes

•participate in iLearn unit discussion forums •spend time researching or locating additional readings in the library •work consistently on upcoming assignment tasks. ILEARNING SKILLS GROUP 2015 COPYRIGHT © LEARNING & TEACHING CENTRE

Chat time

What strategies will you use for planning and scheduling your time as a Macquarie University Student?

ILEARNING SKILLS GROUP 2015 COPYRIGHT © LEARNING & TEACHING CENTRE

Watch these videos from StudyWISE (2 min. each)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNZtc5pCfLk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awbt_CDfi6Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojSYgPYPtTM

Know the key university dates

Know your assignment due dates Assignment planner Week

LING210

SOC130

1 2 3

4

Tutorial Paper 20%

5 Tutori al Paper 20%

Short Quiz 15%

Other activities

7

8

11

Essay 40%

12

13

Short Quiz 15% Present ation 20%

Group Present ation 20% Blue Mt. Trip

10

Paper 40%

Report 30% Paper 20%

9

Assign ment 20% Short Essay 20%

ACC210

IEC100

6

Exam 50% Long Essay 30%

Exam 30%

Sister visitin g COPYRIGHT © LEARNING & TEACHING CENTRE I LEARNING SKILLS GROUP 2015

Break down the assignment Work back from due dates Week

1

2

3

4

5

SOC130

6

Short Essay 15% Q analysis & reading

First Draft

IEC100

Final Draft

Paper 20% Q analysis & write outline

Other activities

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Research & reading

First Draft & extra research

Final Draft & Proofreading

Blue Mountains Trip

Plan your week in detail Example of a weekly schedule Weekly Schedule Monday

SOC130

Exam study 9-11 am

IEC100

Tutorial 4–5 pm

LING210

Reading (CH 2) 7–8 pm

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Exam study 9-11 am Outline paper 4–6 pm

Lecture 9-11 am

ACC210

Study group in library 11:30 am-1:15 pm

Other activities

Watch an early movie with friends

Friday Exam study 9:15 -11 am

Research for paper 12:45 - 1:45 pm

Start rough draft 3–5 pm

Tute group prep Tutorial 11 am – 2:00 – 2:45 pm 12 pm

Lecture 3-4 pm

Go the gym

Quiz prep 2-4 pm Sleep in

Online quiz due today Dinner out with friends

Online tool Example: Assignment planning calculator http://owll.massey.ac.nz/academic-writing/assignment-planning-calculator.php

Digital tools Example: Google Calendar

Apps http://www.topuniversities.com/blog/top-timemanagement-apps-students-2015

Tips for maximising your time and beating procrastination (see StudyWISE)

Practice: Plan your week See handout

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References Britton, B. K., Tesser, A. (1991). Effects of time-management practices on college grades. Journal of Educational Psychology, 83(3), 405-410.

Campbell, R., Svenson, W. & Jarvis, G.K. (1992). Perceived level of stress among university undergraduate students in Edmonton, Canada. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 75, 552-554. Covey, S.R. (1989). Seven habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. New York: Simon & Schuster

Britton, B.K. & Glynn, S.M. (1989). Mental management and creativity: A cognitive model of time management for intellectual productivity. In J.A. Glover, R.R. Ronning & C.R. Reynolds (Eds.), Handout of creativity, (pp.429440). New York, Plenum Press. George, D., Dixon, S., Stansal, E., Lund, S. & Pheri, T. (2010). Time diary and questionnaire assessment of factors associated with academic and personal success among university undergraduates. Journal of American College Health, 56(6), 706-715. Josephs, R.A. & Hahn, E.D. (1995). Bias and accuracy in estimates of task duration. Organizational behavior and human decision processes, 61, 202-213. Misra, R. & Mckean, M. (2000). College students’ academic stress and its relation to their anxiety, time management, and leisure satisfaction. American Journal of Health Studies, 16. Retrieved from http://www.biomedsearch.com/article/College-students-academic-stress-its/65640245.html Trueman, M. & Hartley, J. (1996). A comparison between the time-management skills and academic performance of mature and traditional-entry university students. Higher Education, 2, 199-215.