Time is precious. How are you using it?

Take a day to monitor how you spend your time. Write down everything you do, including dressing, eating, travel, relaxing in front of the TV, shopping for groceries, running to the library, picking up from the soccer practice. If you organize these tasks effectively, you may be amazed at how much available time you have.

As a student, it is helpful to look at your time management at TWO LEVELS.

A LONG TERM PLANNER helps you to see the BIG PICTURE of what you have to get done. Start with the big assignments, quizzes and exams. Use a monthly calendar and fill these in first.

Now, working backwards, fill in some preparation times which you will need in order to be ready for the big days. Watch how the animation works backwards.

Remember, these study plans will be IN ADDITION to your daily homework assigmnments but you will find that you will be in less of a panic when due dates come around.

A DAILY STUDY PLANNER will help you organize each busy day so that you can maximize your study time. Plan to spend an hour for each hour of class time. See General Study Tips for other ideas. The daily planner should help you see where you have blocks of time which you can use for quiet study. If you are at school, consider staying in the library to work rather than spending travel time going home. Try to group all of your errands into one block of time rather than making several short trips out.