Time Management Tips

All college students suffer distractions, whether from extra curricular activities, surfing the Internet, meeting new people or a job. Schools are aware of these factors that can interfere with students' lives and often provide resource that help students to fight time wasting.

Many schools' time management techniques have similar goals. They include the elimination of cramming for tests, reduction of anxiety pertaining to schoolwork and other responsibilities, the gaining of time for other activities and motivation. 

When developing time management techniques in college, it's important that students understand their goals as they pertain to time and have the ability to develop and follow a schedule. Without these factors, it's hard for students to understand the motivation behind their time management. 

Often, on time management sites provided by schools, students may download a scheduler, a weekly, monthly and yearly planner and worksheets pertaining to the distribution of one's tasks. 

The University of Dartmouth (www.dartmouth.edu) includes a downloadable tip sheet which include time management skills. Some pertain to the following: 
- Find ways to build on your success 
- Keep long term goals in mind 
- Plan each day 
- Notice when you're being unproductive 
- Break old and negative habits 
- Concentrate effort on tasks that provide long term benefit 
- Ask for advice 

Penn State University offers a time management page that helps students better understand their time management goals. Tips according to Penn State University include the following: 
- Be specific when setting goals 
- Review lecture notes everyday 
- Schedule fixed blocks of time first 
- Make use of time before and after class 
- Schedule breaks 
- Set clear start and stop times 

Other time management tips include the following: 
- Learn material the first time around 
- Have confidence 
- Learn what works for you 
- Study difficult subjects first 
- Work with classmates