Time Management

TIME MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION
Managing your time effectively is essential for those who need to structure their study time around
employment and other activities. Applying time management techniques to your studying will enable you to
concentrate your efforts and achieve greater results for the time expended, leading to better progress and
helping you to keep on top of the work.
Different people have very different approaches to time management and the techniques around it. Some
people find that managing their time comes easily to them, whilst others need to work hard to keep on track.
However, most people will experience some difficulties with time management at some point in their life, and
it is very common for those trying to balance work and study to find managing their time particularly difficult.
Nevertheless, various techniques and tips can guide you through to help you make better use of your time.
KEY ACTIONS
1. Time log
Time management is really about being organised, self-aware and prioritising effectively. You can begin to do
this by monitoring how you currently use your time and then reflecting on how you could use your time more
wisely.
A good tool for this is a weekly time log. You can fill this in with as much detail as you need but it should at
least give you an idea of how you spend your day.
At the end of the week look at the log and break down what you have done into activities which can be
grouped as:
› have to do: activities with the highest priority. These cannot be avoided
› ought to do: can some of these activities be rescheduled?
› like to do: can some of these be postponed?
This will take judgment on your part as you will have to weigh up tasks which have greater importance and
have an understanding of deadlines which affect you. Use this reflection to develop a time plan for the
forthcoming week.
2. Tips
You may find a number of these general pointers on time management to be of use:
› draw up a weekly schedule with specific targets for your studies

› aim to achieve a balance between study, recreation, and other obligations
› have an understanding of what is required to pass the course
› bear in mind assignment deadlines and be realistic about how much time you need to allocate to
study
› take control, decide what you want to find out, and then work at finding it out
› have realistic targets so that you can plan your studies
› don’t procrastinate – there are apps and other web tools you can use to avoid internet distractions
› use small chunks of time to good effect. Think about ways to use different amounts of time and
consider what is the most useful
› have a “to do” list. List the things that you have to do and decide what order to do them in
› consider your own personal body clock. Recognise when you work best and try if possible to schedule
the most difficult studying activities for these times.
› learn to say “no”.
3. Control
Dividing big jobs into smaller sub-tasks will bring work under control and allow you to set targets and to check
your progress (achievement arises out of quite modest activities undertaken on a small-scale). Having control
over your work will also give a sense of achievement and accomplishment.
Organise tasks into strategy and application and think of yourself as investing time in your studies. Some
tasks will require intense concentration and need to be done at times of the day when you are at your best
and have time to spare. Others can be fitted in when you are tired or have less time. Some tasks, such as
essay writing, may need to be spread over several days.
Prioritise your time. There are only 168 hours in a week and consideration needs to be given as to how to plan
and use these hours. Think about what activities take up your time, how much of this is devoted to studying
and if any more study time can be found by reassessing how you spend your time.
4. Structuring time
Time wasters
Think about your attitude to time and time management. Try to identify and be aware of self-inflicted time
wasting activities. Consider how you can alleviate or eliminate some of the following time wasters. This list
identifies some common time wasters (these may not all apply to you but they are some of the most
common.)
› Lack of objectives: Properly define your objectives. Unclear objectives do not enable you to
calculate how long their accomplishment will take nor will you be able to define an effective timetable
› Perfectionism: Trying to get things perfect (this can cause tasks to stack up)
› Lack of consistency: Do not tackle different components of your studies as completely distinct tasks.
Don't reinvent your work every time you read something new on the subject as this will cost time and
effort
› Never-ending tasks: Divide assignments into smaller parts so that you can control them more easily
and monitor your progress. Manage tasks one at a time
› Procrastination: You may be able to postpone a deadline for the submission of work, but if you do
this you could find yourself in the position of having to complete two pieces of work in the time allotted
for one. Try alternating the more tedious with the more interesting pieces of work
› Lack of self-discipline: Studying is almost always a solitary pursuit and you therefore have to rely on
yourself to accomplish your tasks as no-one else can control your commitment or motivation. Try
motivating yourself by giving yourself a reward when you complete tasks satisfactorily and on time.
Disconnect the internet if you find emails and social media distracting
› Displacement activities and socialising: Do not use these as an excuse for putting assignments
off. Make sure you are living a balanced life and consider how much time you can spend socialising
and still get your work done, and vice versa
› Poor planning: Problems with planning ahead and balancing tasks are often root causes of time
management issues.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BOOKS
How to be REALLY productive: achieving clarity and getting results in a world where work never
ends, Grace Marshall
Harlow: Pearson Education, 2015
Get things done: what stops smart people achieving more and how you can change, Robert Kelsey
Chichester: Capstone, 2014
CHECKLISTS
016 Managing your time effectively

150 Handling information – avoiding overload
MODELS
Urgent vs important
WEEKLY TIME LOG
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This publication is for general guidance only. The publisher and expert contributors disclaim all liability for any
errors or omissions. You should make appropriate enquiries and seek appropriate advice before making any
business, legal or other decisions.

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TIME MANAGEMENT

› draw up a weekly schedule with specific targets for your studies

016 Managing your time effectively

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun

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