Top Ten List about Time Management

10) Don’t get too comfortable: sit (or even stand) so that you remain awake and attentive… it’s easier to remember the information you are studying if you’re awake!

9) Turn off your phone: turning off the ringer on your house phone or cell phone can greatly improve your concentration. Let your voicemail take the calls for an hour or two, and see how well your study time improves.

8) Try to combine activities: If you are spending time at the Laundromat, bring your notes to study. If you’re waiting for the bus or the train, study your biology flashcards.

7) Study in shorter time blocks with short breaks between. This keeps you from getting fatigued and wasting time. This type of studying is efficient because while you are taking a break, the brain is still processing the information.

6) Make room for entertainment and relaxation: College is more than studying. You need to have a study time; yet, you need to have a balance as well. Take a break and have some fun!

5) Make sure you have time to sleep: Sleep is often an activity that students use as their time management bank. When they need a few extra hours for studying or socializing, they withdraw a few hours of sleep. Doing this makes the time they spend studying less effective because they will need a couple hours of clock time to get an hour of productive time.

4) Make sure the surroundings are conducive to studying: This will allow you to reduce distractions that can waste time. If you know of times in the residence halls or your apartment when you know there will be noise and commotion, use that time for mindless tasks.

3) Study difficult subjects first: When you are fresh, you can process information more quickly.

2) Identify the "Best Time" for studying: Everyone has high and low periods of attention and concentration. Use your power times to study; use the down times for routines such as laundry and errands.

1) Make a "To Do" list: Write down things you have to do, then decide what to do at the moment, what to schedule for later, and what to put off for a later time period.