Time Management and Planning

Student Learning Development

Student Counselling Service

student.learning@tcd.ie

http://student-learning.tcd.ie

896-1407

Workshop Objectives

• Explore principles of goal setting and time

management

• Learn about ways to control concentration

• Explore reasons for procrastination

• Review strategies for overcoming

procrastination

Time Management Quiz

• Answer the questions on the handout and

see how you good you are at managing

your time

Self-Management

• Manage self and resources

– Planning

• Differences

• expectations

– Monitoring

– Evaluating

Planning Strategies

• Goal setting

• Good time management

• Controlling distractions

• Overcoming procrastination

EXERCISE

Discuss the various techniques you use to

help manage your time.

• What works?

• What doesn’t work?

SMART Goal Setting

• S = Specific

• M = Measurable

• A = Achievable

• R = Relevant

• T = Time-based

Possible Timeline

Submit - 27 May 2014

Proposed draft deadlines:

Draft 1 Draft 2 Final Revision

Ch. 1 - Introduction

Ch. 2 - Literature Review

Ch. 3 - Methods

Ch. 4 - Findings Interviews

Ch. 5 - Findings Document/Inventory

Ch. 6 - Discussion

Ch. 7 - Conclusion

Module 1

Setting Priorities

High Urgency Low Urgency

High Importance

1 Do it now

2 Plan to do it

Low Importance

3 Resist giving it high priority

4 Time Wasters Busy work

Time Management Strategies

• Prioritise

• Specificity

• Small bite-size pieces

• Use all available time

• Structure the environment

• Establish a routine

• Scheduling

Scheduling Tips

• Time tables

• To do lists

• Prioritising system

• Monitor, evaluate, reward

• Relaxation time

CONCENTRATION

Is the act of focusing our attention

and abilities.

Concentration

• Sources of Distraction

– External

– Internal

• Control Distractions

Controlling External Distractions

• Structure study environment

• Establish a routine

• Negotiate

• Physical

– E.g. unplug TV!

Controlling Internal Distractions • List of concerns

• Worry time

• Mind wandering/daydreaming

• Building up time

• Mental rehearsal

• Thinking strategies

• Free up headspace

• Organisation

PROCRASTINATION

Is to delay needlessly something

that we believe would be to our

benefit.

Reasons for Procrastination

• Emotional difficulties – low self-esteem,

perfectionism, anticipating the worst

• Low frustration tolerance

• Hostility

Overcoming Procrastination

• Take action

• Salami technique

• Five minutes

• Work on related tasks

• Do the hardest bits first

• Set goals

• Reward yourself for achievement

• Make commitments

Take a closer look at your own

procrastination • Think about one problem that might develop [or has

already developed for you] and that leads to procrastination.

Describe the problem:

What is the source of the problem:

What is the reason for the problem:

Can you set a goal for a solution [be specific]:

With your goal in mind what Options can you have [be practical in deciding your options]:

What are the advantages of each of your options:

What are the disadvantages of each of your options:

Summary

• Plan, monitor and evaluate your use of

time

• Strategy or plan for overcoming

procrastination

• Change doesn’t come easy – small

steps!

Resources

• http://www.tcd.ie/Student_Counselling/stude

nt-learning/index.php

• http://port.igrs.sas.ac.uk/managingyourtime.

htm

• http://www.rdg.ac.uk/studyskills/study_resou

rces/time.htm

• www.vitae.ac.uk