2.3 Time Management

Time management includes tools and techniques for planning and scheduling time. Usually, its aim is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of personal and corporate time use. Most of the information on time management is found in books, seminar papers and courses and even on the internet. The common points of time management strategies are to-do-list, setting priorities and setting goals. Time management for personal use is a type of self-management.

Planning time and writing to-do-lists consume time and need to be scheduled. Time management strategies are usually associated with the recommendation to set goals. These goals are written down and broken down into a project, an action plan or a simple to-do-list. Deadlines are set and priorities are assigned to the individual items on the to-do-list. This process results in a daily plan with a to-do-list. Some authors recommend a weekly instead of a daily perspective.

Many students discover the need to develop their time management skills when they arrive at the university. Unlike in a secondary schools where teachers frequently structured their assignments and classes filled their day, at the university, a student will have less in-class time, more outside of class work, and a great deal of freedom and flexibility.

2.3 Time Management

Advantages of time management:

	Gain time
	Motivates and initiates
	Reduces avoidance (you know what you need to do)
	Promotes review
	Eliminates cramming
	Reduces anxiety

Think about this, when people think of time management, they usually associate this with the working adult. Can you think of other groups of people who need this?

2.3 Time Management

Planning a daily and weekly timetable

This timetable is very important as it gives you and others an overview of what you are doing during the semester. Points to remember while completing a semester timetable are;

	Complete it as soon as possible
	Enter in the important dates for all your papers
	Schedule important family or personal events
	Schedule important work commitments
	Allow time for preparation
	Schedule your on-campus contact course
	Schedule in examination dates
	Allow time for yourself – plan to work, plan to play

2.3 Time Management

It is important that you share this information with other people, friends and family as they may be able to support you and provide you with some extra motivation to plan your timetable.

Weekly planners	"Things to do today" lists
Although the semester plan gives you an important overview, it is also important to have a weekly plan with your regular commitments entered on it. This would include all your household duties, gym sessions, hours at work, sports practices, prayer time and social time with friends and family.	Many students prefer a daily plan and so a daily "things to do today" list is a good strategy for these people. The 'to do' list requires you to reflect on your progress each day and think about the next steps. So it keeps you focused and motivated.

Think about this

You weekly routine might be a little different from what has been stated above. Can you think of at least 3 things that you do and that is not mentioned above?

2.3 Time Management

Short forms (contractions)

Can
Full form (formal writing)	Short form (informal writing and spoken English)
Cannot	Can't
Could not	Couldn't
Will not be able to	Won't be able to

2.3 Time Management

Pronunciation – short forms

I am	I'm	I am not	I'm not
He is	He's	He is not	He's not	He isn't
She is	She's	She is not	She's not	She isn't
It is	It's	It is not	It's not	It isn't
You are	You're	You are not	You're aren't	You're not
We are	We're	We are not	We aren't	We're not
They are	They're	They are not	They aren't	They're not

2.3 Time Management

2.3 Time Management

2.3 Time Management

2.3 Time Management

2.3 Time Management

2.3 Time Management

2.3 Time Management

2.3 Time Management

2.3 Time Management