Time management is your ability to use your time effectively to achieve your goals. It does not mean that you are doing more work. It means that you are achieving your goals quicker with less stress.
- Prioritise - Understand your long-term goals. Understand exactly what needs to be done. Set short-term goals to help you to know what you need to do first.
- What is the most important task?
- What will take the longest time?
- Are you doing tasks that don't need to be done to achieve this goal?
- Be self-aware - Understand how you work and your level of motivation
- Focus - Do one task at a time. Multi-tasking is not always an effective use of time.
- Plan - Planning will save you time. It will ensure that you don't miss deadlines. Some tasks need to be finished before you start another task. Consciously structure your time. Use a diary, to-do lists or a student planner.
- Note important dates and deadlines
- Schedule social and sporting/physical activities as well as lectures and study time
- Evaluate how you currently spend your time
- Keep a log of your activities for a week
- Manage your stress - High stress levels will impact on your performance. Re-evaluate your schedule, adjust your priorities, and ask for help if you are not coping. Pace yourself. Rushing will produce mistakes, which will set you back. Maintain balance in your life.
- Be organised - Organising/filing your resources and keeping a tidy desk or work area will save you time in the long run.
Watch this YouTube video by Entrepreneur on How to manage time with 10 tips that work (3.27 mins)
Also see the TAFE SA Libraries Time Management guide.
For a more detailed module on setting goals, managing time and beating procrastination, visit The Desk.
