Time Management

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Orientation 2013David Tross

Why does it matter?

"Time management is the skill which above all others can make the difference between graduating and drop out.”

Ruth Pickford and Sally Brown,

Assessing Skills and Practice

(London: Routledge, 2006), 47

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Time management and study1)Time management is about organising your competing priorities in the limited time available

2) Time management often has very little to do with time

It is about organising your life around what’s important to you, dealing with and confronting more fundamental issues and potential conflicts.

Such as other demands like:

work, family, social life, fun!, travel, relaxation,holiday,sleep

Key difference between under- and post graduate study: self direction and motivation

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Consider the following

• Have you thought about how you are going to fit studying into your wider schedule?

• Can you foresee any problems which may arise?

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Pro-activity before you start

• Check in with family, friends, employers• Identify a quiet space where you can work, at

the time that suits you.. • Identify busy periods: e.g. assignment deadline

dates• Identify library resources, catalogues, e-journals,

reference databases• Consider the resources you need

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‘Rational’ Time Management

Everything’s in place: let’s study! Eastenders

is on !

Procrastination Principles

• Action comes before motivation

• Accept your inner rebel

• And don’t hit yourself with a ‘should’ stick

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Be Time-EfficientYou don’t have more time than you think, but you can do more in the time you have!

People generally over-estimate the time it takes to do stuff, and under-estimate our ability to do it..

• Small pockets of time – around 45 minutes – are more productive: • Record your time: awareness can result in changes• Life-Hacking: ‘Kitchen timer’ Tips

1) 25 minute task 2) race against the clock 3) give daunting tasks 5 minutes• Eliminate busy work e.g things that you do to fill time but aren’t

essential

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Be Proactive Effective time-managers are those who are able to tackle important tasks before they become urgent. This requires a pro-active mindset…

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New Year Resolutions?

Psychologists ( at the University of Hertfordshire) have identified 5 success factors for individuals who managed to achieve their New Years’ Resolutions. These are..

Breaking down goals into small steps Rewarding achievement Telling other people what you’re trying to achieve Focusing on the benefits of success Keeping a progress diary

Why are these specific activities success factors?

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FEAR: Fantasy Experiences Appearing Real

‘Feel the Fear and do it anyway’

Further reading

Stephen Covey: the Seven habits of highly effective people

Oliver Burkeman: Help!http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2006/nov/11/healthandwellbeing.features1

Learning and anxiety: Vince (