MANAGE YOUR TIME BETTER
There are only 24 hours in your day, just the same as everybody else's...
...so how do you end up frustrated, angry, behind in your schoolwork, and exhausted before you fall into bed each night? Maybe because you don't know how to use those 24 hours to your advantage.Learning to manage your time can turn your outlook around.
Record Where Your Time's Going Now.
A good place to start is figuring out how you use your time now. Use a notebook, diary or weekly planner (available at paper goods stores) to faithfully keep track of how you use your waking hours for one week. The results will probably surprise you.
Start Looking Forward.
The next step is to start using your notebook to do some planning ahead. If you get eight hours sleep a night, you have 112 hours per week to do everything you need to do. That includes going to class, eating, athletic events, social activities, dressing and undressing, playing with your hair, time spent travelling between places, studying, student organizations, telephone and Internet time, etc. Be sure to schedule time for all these in your 112 hours. Then try sticking to your schedule for a week. This should give you a good idea of what your real priorities are!
If you have trouble, chances are you tend to procrastinate - meaning, you put off doing things until the last possible minute, or don't do them at all. Among the more common excuses used by procrastinators are:
"One more day won't make any difference, I'll just put that off until tomorrow."
"It won't matter if I'm a few minutes late, no one else will be on time."
"I can't start writing my essay until I know exactly what the first paragraph will say."
"I work best under pressure."
"I'll just surf the net for 15 more minutes..."
The Magic Two-Letter Word.
Once you schedule your time, you need to learn to say NO to things outside your schedule. For example, saying no to going out because you need to get your homework done. Realize that turning down an invitation doesn't mean you'll never be asked to do something again. Making a decision based on what you know is best for you at the time, leads to greater respect from your friends.
No Phone Calls, Please.
Stay away from the telephone when you're trying to get work done. If it's really important, they'll call back.
Be a Calendar Girl.
Use a monthly calendar to help you plan out your study time on a weekly schedule. At the beginning of each school term, spend an hour with your calendar to enter all important dates (exam period, essay deadlines, etc). As you receive more deadlines, enter the dates on your calendar. Then estimate the time needed to prepare for each of these. For example, if your history paper is due the eighth week of the term and it usually takes you four weeks to write a paper, start work on the paper the second week of the quarter, allowing yourself an extra week for typing and an extra week for unexpected disaster. If you stick to this schedule, you'll amaze yourself by having the paper finished in the seventh week. The rule-of-thumb is "Plan ahead by working backwards."
By counting backwards like this, you'll be surprised how well you're using your time and how much better your grade will be when you're not under pressure. And, by being really honest with yourself and taking account of all your priorities, you'll be able to socialize and do after-school activities without feeling guilty.
Don't Forget Time for Studying.
Be sure to schedule time in your planner for study breaks. Your brain works best when it has sufficient oxygen, which means taking a breather now and then. Your concentration is enhanced when you go hard at a task until you feel yourself fading, then give yourself time to recharge. A good system is to work for 45 minutes and then break for 15. But watch yourself - more than 15 minutes is more than a break!
It's Not So Bad!
If you're not used to managing your time, you may be thinking "Ugh... if I do this I will be a slave to my calendar!" That's a normal reaction. But the truth is, planning your time this way actually leads to a greater sense of freedom and accomplishment because you're IN CONTROL of your life. That's all time-management is - managing your life more effectively (and wearing a watch!). By following these suggestions, you'll be happier, more satisfied, and more productive. Try it!
