Time Management

It's been said that the single most important skill a college student can develop is learning how to make the best use of the time s/he has available. Time management can make (or break) a student's success--both academically and personally.

Learning how to handle time effectively is within the ability of every Nazareth student. Being able to manage time is related to these five important fundamentals:

1) Think about who you are and where you're going.

Think realistically about your goals--short term and long term, and very long term. What aspects of your life (for example, social, academic, spiritual,) are most important to you now? Which ones do you want to focus on to achieve the kind of life you envision for yourself after college? To a great extent, we create our own futures, day by day.

2) Acknowledge that you are the person responsible for deciding how you spend your time.

Your coach, teacher, parent, roommate, boyfriend or girlfriend may be interested in how you handle your time, but you are the person in control of it. Knowing the time wasters that tempt you, and learning how to delegate responsibilities and how to say "No!" will help keep you steadfastly in charge of your time.

3) Become "time sensitive."

Think about your time! Early in your day, note which hours are committed, and which are free to use as you decide; consider productive ways to use those available hours. In the evening, evaluate the effectiveness of the ways you spent your time. Become aware of the amount of time you spend on routine tasks and activities. Estimate the time you need to complete regular assignments. Pay attention to how you use your time!

4) Plan your time, and keep a healthy balance in your plan.

Set aside a time to plan, and write down your plans on schedules, calendars and "To Do" lists. Remember to include appropriate hours for study and work, and also for relaxing, recreation and socializing. Include enough time for sleep in your plan, and for eating well and exercising. Where you can, keep your plans flexible--prepare for the unexpected!

5) Remember, "It's easier to keep up than it is to catch up."

Start from the very first day of the semester to complete the assignments given on time, and work ahead whenever you can--particularly in the first few weeks of the semester, before major projects and exams begin to pile up.

Use some of your weekend time to get a head start on assignments for the following week.

Keeping these fundamentals in mind will give you a great beginning in becoming an effective time manager. Your skills may be uncertain at first, but keep working at them, and you'll improve with practice.

Plan and schedule your time. Monitor it, and think about ways you could do things better; adjust your plans to fit your goals, priorities, preferences and learning style.

6. Plan, monitor, adjust--then do it again, until time management becomes second nature. The results will be

-assignments completed on time (and more thoroughly done)

-goals achieved

-a sense of being in control of your life

-reduced stress and a calmer outlook

CONTINUE...