Time Management: a Life Time Strategy

Time Management: A Life Time Strategy

Walker and Schonwetter write in Success Secrets of University Students (2003) that "Effectively managing your time is not just an important challenge of university, but in life. (115) Like most other people, my first attempt at "time management" was using a to-do list. I found to-do lists more or less successful. They are helpful in that they are an attempt to organize time sensitive dates. This is a good thing.

However, personally I've found agendas/daytimers (N/A) and other more complicated scheduling systems to be far more successful. For example, when you are faced with a series of exams you need to divide up your time careful to ensure that you have enough time to go over all your data several times. Stress becomes a problem when you are uncertain about a perceived goal. Thus, breaking down your study information into doable pieces allows students to succeed for two reasons. First, they have been able to take the time during study to move information from their short term to their long term memories. Information in your long term memory is more likely to be remembered. Second, the fact they they have done this study has reduced stress. Stress reduction leads to more successful exams or tests.

Students frequently procrastinate due to stress and worry about tasks (SSUS, 122-124). Some students are overconfident, rebellious or depressed. However, getting a planner and following a daily plan will reduce problems and produce positive results.