Time Management

Reasons for Poor Time Management

Not prioritizing tasks.
Not scheduling daily, weekly, or monthly activities.
Not delegating responsibility.
Not being able to say no.
Not writing down objectives in order to meet deadlines.
Not using a calendar or notebook to organize commitments.
Not shifting priorities to make room for more urgent matters or tasks.
Not reducing clutter and/or unnecessary paperwork.
Not being able to give up total control.
Not being able to avoid procrastination.

Time Management Techniques:

Pomodoro Techniques

Decide what you want to accomplish and estimate how long you will study for. Then break your work into Pomodoro's.
Set a timer for 25 minutes and start studying.
Minimize your distractions during the pomodoro interval.
After 25 minutes take a short 5-10 minute break.
Repeat. (After 4 pomodoros take a longer break for 20-30 minutes).

Bullet Journal

1-2-3-4 System: Construct a Daily log with four signifier columns.
The first column is used to mark quick or easy tasks (group 1)
The second column is used to mark cleaning or tidying tasks (group 2)
The third column is used to mark lengthy or difficult tasks (group 3)
The fourth column is used to mark fun or relaxing tasks (group 4)
For all the tasks you rapid log, put a mark into one and only one of these four columns. The process is to pick one task from each group for a total of four tasks. Do these in order. 1-2-3-4.

Time Blocking

Used for dividing your days into blocks of time, in which you attribute a specific event, task, or activity to each block.
Identify the tasks you need to be accomplished.
Estimate how many hours each tasks should take.
Decide how much flexible time you allot in your schedule.
Review your plan.
Implement time blocking using your favorite calendar app (color code classes, events, tasks, or activity).

Interview Results

We interviewed 37 students on campus and asked three questions. The first question asks, “are you good with time management?” If they answered yes, they’re then asked, “how do you successfully manage time?” If they answered no, they’re then asked, “why are you not good with time management?”

Out of those 37 students, 22 students (59.5%) said they manage time well and 15 students (40.5%) said they don’t manage time well. Those who do manage time well claimed that they do well by using calendars, setting reminders on their phone, using apps that help with time management, and planning ahead. Those who said they don’t manage time well claimed they procrastinate due to distractions, mental health, lack of motivation, and not creating calendars. Overall, there’s a pattern based off the answers students gave that show students are struggling with procrastination and other students who manage well, have a set list.