• Using your time wisely when studying is a key component of academic success.

    One very important topic is "Activity Management."

    There are four basic steps to improving the use of your time:
     
       1. Create a schedule for the entire semester.
       2. Assess and plan your commitments on a weekly basis.
       3. Monior and adjust daily.
       4. Evaluate your schedule.
     
    1. Create a schedule for the entire semester.
         -Record all known class assignments, i.e., quizzes, tests, projects, papers, etc.
              This allows you to develop a framework for the work load during the semester. You will be able to 
              identify when you have high academic demands and when there is flexibility to do more "fun" stuff.
         -Record all known extra-curriculuar activities, i.e., work hours, club meetings, social commitments, 
         vacations, etc., for the entire semester.
              Doing this allows you to have a more accurate and complete picture of how much time you have during
              the semester to schedule other activities.
       Note: Update your schedule regularly as assignment due dates change, assignments are added, and 
       activities are planned.
     
    2. Assess and plan your commitments on a weekly basis.
         -Make a list of what you have to accomplish during the coming week.
              Include all class assignments, extra curricular activities, work hours, and social events that are planned.
         -Estimate how long each task will take to complete.
         -Identify the date on which you will accomplish each task.
              -Keep in mind that rest and breaks are mandatory inclusions to your schedule.
         -Identify the best time of day to complete projects.
         -Study difficult subjects first.
              You are more likely to concentrate and continue to finish the work that is challenging if you start it first.
              Also, the tasks that you like most will be easy to finish towards the end of your schedule because those
              tasks interest you.
         -Study in the same location every day.
              Like being in a classroom for each subject, studying in the same place is helpful because you begin to
              associate that place with academic behavior. DO NOT study in bed as your bed is made for sleeping and
              may entice you into a nap.
         -Use waiting time for productive behaviors.
              Commuting to and from campus may provide extra time in the day to study for a test or re-read difficult
              passages. Write the information you need for vocabulary or a test on notecards for easy studying.
         -Treat school as a full-time job.
              Adopting an 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. attitude about school trains you to focus on the same types of tasks that an
              adult focuses on during a work day. Also, blocking off this time is effective in helping you get tasks done
              before you become tired.

    3. Monior and adjust daily.
         -Write out a daily schedule at the beginning of each day.
              Using your weekly schedule should make this an easy task. Include unfinished tasks from the previous
              day.
         -Assign priorities to each activity using a numbering system. Try to accomplish tasks in the order of
              importance to reduce your stress.             
     
    4. Evaluate your schedule.
         -Evaluate your schedule in the morning.
              Check if the schedule for the day is realistic given the amount of time every activity will consume. If this
              schedule is not realistic, remove items of lesser priority so your schedule is managable.
         -Evaluate your schedule in the evening.
              Check if you completed everything on your list. If not, reevaluate if the schedule was realistic. Adjust as
              necessary for the next day.