chapter 3copyright 2002 houghton mifflin company - all rights reserved 1 by mona j casady chapter...

Chapter 3 Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved

1

By Mona J Casady 

Chapter Three 

Setting Priorities and Managing Time

By Mona J Casady 

Chapter Three 

Setting Priorities and Managing Time

Chapter 3 Copyright 2002 Houghton Mifflin Company - All Rights Reserved

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This chapter offers you guides to:This chapter offers you guides to:

• Prioritize goals• Identify activities and time

requirements• Establish a calendar system

and organizer• Prepare a weekly schedule• Improve time management

skills

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Prioritize GoalsPrioritize Goals

• Begin with long-term goals – what you want to be doing five or six years from now.

• Then identify and rank your short-term goals – what you want to accomplish this term.

• Keep your priorities in mind as you make decisions about how to spend your time.

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Do your activities and time requirements support your goals?

Do your activities and time requirements support your goals?

Academic Work Attend all classes. Devote 2-3 hours outside class for each hour in class

Employment Up to 20 hours a week can parallel a fulltime academic load. If you must work more hours, take fewer credit hours

Health Eat three meals a day, get 7- 8 hours of sleep a night, and exercise at least three times a week

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Establishing a Calendar SystemEstablishing a

Calendar SystemBegin with the overall picture – the entire term. On a Term-at-a-Glance Calendar, mark the dates of:

• Projects due• Presentations• Exams (including finals)• Standard meetings• Holidays• Personal events

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Prepare a Weekly SchedulePrepare a Weekly Schedule

Include the days and times of: the days and times of:• Attending classes• Eating• Getting ready• Sleeping• Commuting• Studying• Working at a job

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Prepare a Weekly Schedule (cont’d)

Prepare a Weekly Schedule (cont’d)

Include the days and times of:

• Exercising• Attending meetings and

extracurricular activities• Doing personal tasks• Socializing with family and friends• Participating in recreation and

leisure

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Each Day Is a New AccountEach Day Is a New Account

If you had a bank that credited your account each morning with $86,400, that carried over no balance from day to day, and each night canceled whatever amount you had not used during the day, what would you do?

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Of course, you would draw out every cent every day and use it to your advantage!

You have such a bank; it is called TIME.

Of course, you would draw out every cent every day and use it to your advantage!

You have such a bank; it is called TIME.

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Each Day Is a New Account (cont’d)

Each Day Is a New Account (cont’d)

Each day it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Each night it rules off as lost the tmie you did not invest to good purpose. It carries over no balances and allows no overdrafts.

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Each Day Is a New Account (cont’d)

Each Day Is a New Account (cont’d)

Each day it opens a new account with you. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. You cannot go back or draw against tomorrow. The responsibility is yours to invest this precious fund of hours and minutes for a return of maximum happiness and success.

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Use a PlannerUse a Planner

A planner helps to keep you organized, to remember appointments, and to meet deadlines.

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Use a Planner (cont’d)Use a Planner (cont’d)Fill in the month-at-a-glance pageTransfer items to respective day pagesHighlight items of greatest urgencyMark the current day (by a tab or

bookmark) so you can access it quicklyCarry planner with you at all times

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Managing Large ProjectsManaging Large Projects

Large projects need not be overwhelming. You can manage them effectively with the least amount of stress by:

Observing deadlines - posting reminders and highlighting due dates on your calendar

Being organized - gathering materials before you begin

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Managing LargeProjects (cont’d)Managing LargeProjects (cont’d)

Breaking down the project into manageable parts

Overestimating the time needed to complete the project

Setting your deadline a day or two ahead to allow for last-minute problems

Establishing a reward for yourself upon completing the project

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How to Avoid ProcrastinationHow to Avoid

Procrastination

You can avoid procrastination by:

• Establishing a routine and sticking to it• Set up reminders - Post-it® notes and

“To Do” lists• Eliminate distractions• Discipline yourself to stay focused on

deadlines

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How to Avoid Procrastination (cont’d)

How to Avoid Procrastination (cont’d)

• Hang a “Please do not disturb” sign on your door

• Learning to say “No” when an invitation would put you off course

• Break down big projects into small steps• Doing homework daily• Find a study partner who is a role model