Managing Your Time

• Budget Time: Make sure to prepare for each class and review your course notes as soon as possible afterward.
• Draw up a master list of "to do's": Note every quiz, midterm, essay, meeting or appointment in your daily planner.
• Be Flexible: Filling in every blank in your daily planner will only cause you frustration when something unexpected pops up.  Allow yourself some room for a buffer.
• Set Priorities: Strike a balance between school, work, family and other responsibilities, so you don't overdo it in one area at the expense of another.
• Plan Ahead: Make a goal to start working on a research paper, or studying for an exam far enough in advance, so that you won't be cramming at the last minute.
• Be Aware: Plan your study times when you have the best concentration, such as early in the morning, or late in the evening.
• Set several small study goals: Break down large and overwhelming assignments into smaller tasks to be accomplished.
• Make use of small blocks of time: Look over your notes for class on the bus or during breaks between classes.

Avoiding Procrastination

• Recognize: Self-defeating problems such as fear, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, poor time management, indecisiveness and perfectionism are all causes for procrastination.
• Identify: Make sure you know your own goals, strengths, weaknesses, values and priorities.
• Compare: Check to see if your actions coincide with the values you feel you have.
• Discipline: Set priorities for yourself and use your time wisely.
• Minimize: Use small blocks instead of long periods of time for studying.  You get more out of 60 minute blocks, with frequent ten minute breaks, than if you were to study for 2-3 hours straight.
• Motivate: Get yourself in the mood to study.  Dwell on success and not failure.  Study in groups if it helps you.
• Set Goals: Make realistic goals for youself to accomplish.
• Modify: Eliminate and/or minimize distractions in your environment.  Don't be too comfortable.  Have everything you need with you.  And be neat!  If you straighten your desk, it could help you reduce daydreaming.