Managing Your Time

Video credit: Time Management – Posted by UBCleap on YouTube

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1. When you try to manage your time, what’s your biggest issue?
- I procrastinate.
- I'm too busy
- I forget deadlines
Procrastination is something that we all do, but focusing on the important tasks you need to get done each day, and then checking them off one-by-one is a good way to combat procrastination. Think about what really needs to get done in a given day or week (maximum 7 tasks for the day) and then estimate how long each task will take, then divide your day into manageable chunks. Always over-estimate rather than underestimate the time required and consider your energy cycle to determine when you will be the most productive . But remember, sticking to your plan is as important as making the plan itself.

Also, make sure to also keep a calendar of all of the assignments you have due and any important events so that you are able to plan your time accordingly. Writing them on a paper calendar will give you a constant visual reminder, but phone apps like todist are also effective. Starting early on things will give you time to work and play hard.

For more study tips check out the Exam Prep Toolkit or try the UBC Assignment Calculator to help you determine how long a given assignment will take.
The reality of life is that everyone is busy. What is important is to make the most of your time so that you are able to get the necessary things done. Scheduling your time is an important part of being productive. Make sure to keep a calendar of all of the assignments you have due and any important events so that you are able to plan your time accordingly. Writing them on a paper calendar will give you a constant visual reminder, but phone apps like todist are also effective.

Keeping a weekly and daily schedule is also important to getting real things accomplished. Think about what really needs to get done (maximum 7 tasks for the day) and then estimate how long each task will take, then divide your day into manageable chunks. Always over-estimate rather than underestimate the time required and consider your energy cycle to determine when you will be the most productive. But remember, sticking to your plan is as important as making the plan itself.

For more study tips check out the Exam Prep Toolkit or try the UBC Assignment Calculator to help you determine how long a given assignment will take.
Keeping track of deadlines is an integral part of time management. At the beginning of every semester write down all of the assignments you have due and any important events on a calendar so that you are able to plan your time accordingly. Writing them on a paper calendar will give you a constant visual reminder, but phone apps like todist are also effective.

Keeping a weekly and daily schedule is also important to getting real things accomplished. Think about what really needs to get done (maximum 7 tasks for the day) and then estimate how long each task will take, then divide your day into manageable chunks. Always over-estimate rather than underestimate the time required and consider your energy cycle to determine when you will be the most productive. But remember, sticking to your plan is as important as making the plan itself.

For more study tips check out the Exam Prep Toolkit or try the UBC Assignment Calculator to help you determine how long a given assignment will take.
2. When you are studying, what do you waste the most time doing?
- Using my phone.
- Surfing the internet.
- Socializing.
- I don’t even know.
Getting rid of distractions is important when studying or working on assignments. It’s best to only have the things you actually need to complete your assignments when you’re doing school work, which means putting away your phone or even turning it off all together (your friends will still be there when you turn it back on). If you waste a lot of time on specific apps try an app blocker.
Getting rid of distractions is important when studying or working on assignments. It’s best to only have the things you actually need to complete your assignments when you’re doing school work, which means putting away your computer if you don’t need it, or turning off the wifi if your assignment doesn’t require online research. If you waste a lot of time on specific apps try an app blocker.

If you’re not even sure where your time is being wasted, read this article from College Info Geek which gives you information on various ways to track your productivity.
While it is nice to study with friends, sometimes we get the most work done when we do school work in isolation. Finding a quiet place to study or work will allow you to limit the amount you are distracted by your friends. If you study in short bursts and take frequent breaks, you can use you ‘break’ time for socializing, while still being productive.
If you’re not even sure where your time is being wasted, read this article from College Info Geek which gives you information on various ways to track your productivity.
3. Multi-tasking is the best way to keep on top of all the things you need to get done.
- True
- False
Sadly we all like to believe that multi-tasking is the best use of our time, but the fact is that we all do better work when we work on one thing at a time. When we multi-task we always give one activity more of our attention despite thinking that we are doing two (or more things) well at once. Doing just one thing at a time has become increasingly difficult with the connectivity that the internet and cellphones afford, however staying focused will allow you to use the time you do have more efficiently, leaving more focused time for having fun.
Correct. Unfortunately many of us like to believe that multi-tasking is the best use of our time, but the fact is that we all do better work when we work on one thing at a time. When we multi-task we always give one activity more of our attention despite thinking that we are doing two (or more things) well at once. Doing just one thing at a time has become increasingly difficult with the connectivity that the internet and cellphones afford, however staying focused will allow you to use the time you do have more efficiently, leaving more focused time for having fun.

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Your Turn

At the beginning of the semester write all of your major assignments down on a calendar. At the end of the semester reflect on whether or not this helped you manage your time.

Tell us how it went in the space below.

3 responses to “Managing Your Time”

Bethany Sparks September 16, 2016 at 6:25 am Permalink | Reply

I think writing out my tasks for the day will really help.
Amy Xu September 30, 2019 at 11:28 am Permalink | Reply

Marking out midterms, finals, in-class essays and things didn’t feel like it had much of an impact on the more detailed planning of my day to day list of priorities, but once the days drawled nearer, it helped me stay more conscious of them and made me give myself more time in advance to prepare.
1. Chapman Learning Commons October 25, 2019 at 11:21 am Permalink | Reply
  
  Hi Amy,
  
  That is great to hear! Thank you for your feedback. If there is anything you found more helpful, please let us know in the comments below; we would love to hear more from you.
  
  Thanks so much!

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