Managing Time

 

Time and eLearning

The amount of time you spend per week online for class and preparing for class varies by the student and by the course. Keep in mind that you need to allow for the time you would normally spend to study, plus the time you normally would have spent in the classroom.

A common guideline is that 1 credit hour of coursework if often equal to approximately 3 clock hours per week of preparation time. A 3-credit hour course then would take approximately 9 hours a week outside the classroom. Remember to add the minimum of 3 hours per week you would normally have spent in class for a total minimum time invested of 12 hours per week.

Additional items to keep in mind:

• eLearning at KUMC is not self-paced.
• KUMC is located in the Central Standard Time zone. If you are located outside CST be aware of assignment due dates.
   

Tips for Helping Yourself Be Successful

• Structure is the hallmark which is the most useful in attaining your goals.  Once set up and in place, structure works like the walls of the bobsled slide, keeping the speedball sled from careening off the track.  Make frequent use of lists, notes to yourself, color coding, rituals, reminders, files, etc.
• Make deadlines for yourself and keep them.
• Break down large tasks into small ones.  Attach deadlines to the small parts.  Then like magic, the large task will get done.  This is one of the simplest and most powerful of all structuring devices.  Often a large task will feel overwhelming to you.  The mere thought of trying to perform the task makes one turn away.  On the other hand, if the large task is broken down into small parts, each component may feel quite manageable.
• Prioritize.  Avoid procrastination.  When things get busy, you lose perspective.  Take a deep breath.  Put first things first.  You have to really discipline yourself to watch out for procrastination and avoid it.
• Notice how and where you work best: in a noisy room, wrapped in three blankets, listening to music, in the library.  Let yourself work under whatever conditions are best for you to keep your focus.
• Know that it is OK to do two things at once: carry on a conversation and knit, take a shower and do your best thinking, jog and make your study plan for the day.
• Do what you are good at!  Always play to your strengths.  Know them!
• Keep a notepad with you. In your car, by your bed, in your pocket or backpack.  When you have an idea, a plan, something you want to remember, write it down.  This will allow you to get it down and return your focus to your project.
• Read with a pen in your hand, not only for marginal notes or underlining, but for questions and other thoughts which will occur to you.
• Color coding.  This deserves a comment.  If you know you are visually oriented, take advantage of this by making things memorable with color.  Virtually anything in black and white can be made more memorable and attention-getting in color.
• Exercise vigorously and regularly.  It helps to work off excess energy in a positive way.  It allows noise reduction within the mind, and it soothes and calms the body.  Make it fun so you can stick with it over the long haul.

Time Management Guidelines

1. Plan your time wisely. Those who fail to plan are planning to fail!
2. Establish goals:
   1. Know where you are going and what you want to accomplish
   2. Be motivated to accomplish your goals
   3. Invest your time in a much more meaningful way
3. Update your goals continuously.
4. Prioritize your goals, using a 1-2-3 ranking. 1=extremely important; 2=somewhat important; 3=little importance.
5. Identify those activities you must accomplish to reach your goals.
6. Identify obstacles that will prohibit you from accomplishing your goals.
7. Schedule your activities, allowing time for: (1) essential activities, (2) routine tasks, (3) previous commitments, and (4) interruptions and crisis situations.
8. Allow yourself “planning time.” Schedule activities for the next day in the evening.
9. Allocate at least one hour a day for uncommitted time to take advantage of targets of opportunity or unanticipated demands on your time.
10. Eliminate “must” activities quickly to allow more time for more demanding activities. Eliminating “musts” will reduce tension and anxiety caused by interruptions and distractions.
11. Prepare a “daily activity list” in priority ranking.
12. Learn to say “No!”
13. Establish a routine of when and where people can reach you. When people know times you are available, they will contact your during that time and not interrupt or distract you throughout the day.
14. Learn to delegate!
15. Ask this question at all times: “What is the best use of my time at this moment in light of my goals?”

Tips For Time Management

•  Get a plan! Without a balance plan that include study time, sleep, exercise, and fun, you can easily drift, burnout, &/or perform below your ability level.
• Create a schedule and use a planner. Even if you don’t use a schedule, it is useful to document how you spend and plan your time. That way you know where you need to adjust.
• Optimize your schedule. Schedule your most demanding study times during your optimal alert time of the day (i.e., if you are a morning person then spend that time studying your most challenging subjects).
• Optimize you fun times. Make sure you schedule recreation for yourself and don’t feel guilty about it—it will only help you perform better when you get back to the books.
• Plan for exams. Make sure you know and optimize your exam timeframe. Balance your studying such that no subject is left behind.
• Avoid falling into a “catch-up” trap. When you fall behind, a common mistake is to go all the way back to where you left off. Instead, keep the memory curve high by working on the most current material before attempting to make up for lost work. Schedule a time to make-up the missed work on the weekend.
• Set priorities. Always make sure you achieve the “vital few” rather than attempt the “trivial many.” Set a daily and weekly priority list of objectives that you must accomplish and stick to it.
• Participate in study groups. Groups help you keep on-task. They sometimes also help you gauge if you are behind in your studies.

Time Management Guides

Use these worksheets to measure your ability to manage and plan your time effectively.

• Available Hours in a Week (PDF)
• Procrastination Quotient (PDF)
• Weekly Planning Guide (Word)

 

Special thanks to Alice Carrot and the entire Student Counseling & Educational Support Services staff for the time management information and worksheets.