I happen to think that I have relatively decent time management skills. I (almost) always get all my assignments in by their respective due dates, I make schedules both on paper and in my head to keep myself on track. I think that something a lot of people forget to consider when they think about time management is scheduling time for relaxation and social time. When I was growing up, everyone always talked about the importance of making time for all my work, but time for friends and time for yourself is just as important, I think, just not in ways that are so clearly stated. If you mismanage assignments, you get bad grades and it's obvious. If you mismanage time for yourself or those important to you, the results a bit more covert. You get stressed, let relationships wither...I'm sure we all know the phrase "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."
But there are lots of ways to improve on time management specifically for work and studying. I'm taking the LSAT this year, and I am not enrolled in any expensive study program so I have to take one online. Since I'm going to need to develop my own schedule and carve out time specifically for studying the LSAT, I read the article "How to Build a Realistic Study Schedule" by Amanda Collins. All of her tips were a bit intuitive, but reassuring nonetheless to see that I can accomplish my goals this semester by creating a study schedule around my job and my classes, and making sure that I reserve only as much time as I need.
I also read "The Psychology of Checklists" by Lauren Marchese. I am a huge fan of checklists. I've always found that physically writing my goals and responsibilities makes them not only real but accomplishable. I liked her idea of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals. This semester I also have to write a research paper for my Honors thesis. Even though I don't think I can get it all written this semester, what with my classes and the LSAT, I want to get the lion's share of it done. Putting it off until next semester would be risky because I am a senior this year, and I need it done before graduation.
I think that all these skills will help me not only in this online class, but in my other endeavors as well.
(will add photo later, my computer is refusing to download images)
I heartily agree with a checklist mentality and making time for non-work. Once a certain threshold is crossed, productivity just drains out of me, and I turn into a very miserable person. Having a decent balance between social and productive activities is one of the few things I've really, truly learned about myself over the last two years.
ReplyDeleteI'm prepping for the GRE while this final semester drags out, and checklists are saving my life. Do I finish even half of what is placed on the list? Sometimes. But even the act of writing down tasks helps me remember their importance, and keeping all my responsibilities in one place ironically helps me with the "Oh God I'm drowning in due-dates" effect. I also take wicked satisfaction in scratching out finished goals.