Lecture #1
6 Reasons Why This Skill is Valuable & 5 Tips to Set-up Your Work Space
TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION
TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION
“Dost thou love life? Then do
not squander time, for that’s
the stuff life is made of.”
Ben Franklin
The US the average lifespan is
78.06 years x 365 days x
24 hours = 683,806 hours.
The average American sleeps
about 194,821 hours hours
of life
Respond to these questions by
jotting down a few thoughts..
How do you want to spend your
time?
How will “life” become more
complicated as you get
older?
How would you rate your time
management skills?
ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS
Can we all get better at
managing our time?
YES
Organizational Systems (OS)
You have OS now!
-getting ready for school
-doing chores
-work routines
-workout/practice routines
An OS is simply a set of
sequential procedures/
habits to complete a
simple or complex
tasks…like the above.
YOU SET THE PATH
These tasks are:
Personal and Professional
Goals & Priorities you
have set for yourself.
There is a difference on
what you…WANT TO DO
& WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO!!
(more on this later)
REQUIRED TOOL
Studying & Life Stuff OS
There is no one personal
OS system that works
for everyone but….
1. You need a tool to
record tasks…
-PDA
-Calendar/Planner
AND YOU NEED TO USE IT!!
(MORE ON THIS LATER)
6 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A OS
So why put the effort into
developing your
personal OS?
1. Reduce Stress
-stress caused by:
Doing things at the last minute
Forgetting to do something that
causes problems
Wondering if you forgot to do
something
Not having time to enjoy yourself
2. Get Better Grades
-complete all assignments
-avoid cramming
-develop good study habits
3. Have more free time..
4. Develop good habits to
carry into post secondary
education & independent
living
6 REASONS WHY YOU NEED AN OS
5. Continued career and
relationship success
6. Life-long Learning
-hobbies
-new skills
Will your current HS demands
and OS change as you move
onto post secondary school
and/or working fulltime?
Will you need more then one
OS?
-work demands (multiple OS)
-career education
-home responsibilities
*financial
*home care
*child care
ORGANIZATION SYSTEMS
So you need to continually
monitor and adjust your
Organization Systems.
Systems you need to
develop and tweak
EXAMPLE OF A STUDY OS (NOT ON HANDOUT)
1. Get home at 2:45 and take a
break until 3:30
2. Go to study area from 3:30 – 4:30
and review planner, set goals to
achieve, & work through
prioritized tasks
-cell phone off
-avoid distractions
Consider your study OS…
Do you have a routine you follow
everyday?
3. Mark-off planner and consider
long-term projects and up coming
exams
4. Reward yourself….play a video
game, go outside w/t friends etc.
Write this study OS down, being
as specific with times and
location as possible.
If so, what is it…if not what
would it look like?
What may happen if you do this
routine every day for 2-3
weeks?
QUALITIES OF A GOOD STUDY SPACE
Studying & Life Stuff OS
1. You need a tool to
record tasks…
And…
2. A designated
work/study space
Where do you study?
Do you have a designated
space?
Name 2-3 places you
should not make you
study space.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD STUDY SPACE
What is wrong with these spaces?
5 QUALITIES OF A GOOD STUDY SPACE
1. Free of distractions and
disruptions
-cell phone/texting BRB
-no TV or video games
-minimize family traffic
5 QUALITIES OF A GOOD STUDY SPACE
2. Well supplied with;
-pens, pencils,
highlighters, paper,
stapler, hole puncher,
trash can
3. Good lighting
-minimize shadows
-less eye strain
5 QUALITIES OF A GOOD STUDY SPACE
4. Clutter Free
-use file shelves
-desk organizers
-file cabinet
-have a work area
5. Comfortable chair…but
not too much
Other Tips…
-take a SHORT break after
20-30 minutes of
studying
-get up and move around
-reward yourself after
studying
-set daily achievable study
goals
TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION
Ok…let’s reflect.
Either..
1. Write a one paragraph reaction/summary to any
topic covered in this PP.
2. Write/orally discuss an evaluation of your study
OS and study space with the teacher or peer.
(teacher needs to observe)
3. Create a 8-10 point quiz

Counts as LC points!!
Lecture #2
Planner and To-Do Lists
TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION
WHY DO WE NEED A PLANNER?
Hypothetical List of Things you may
need to do this week.
1. Test in Bio on Wed 2nd BK
2. Rough draft on Catcher due Thursday
3. Work 3-5 on M, W, F
4. Plans to see a movie with friends Sat
around 6-7
5. Meet with Mr. Jones on Tues after school
for math help
6. Dentist appointment Thursday 3:30
7. Meet trainer at YMCA at 7:00PM on
Wednesday
OK memorize the list…..since you don’t
need a planner.

Sally asks you to help with some English
work Friday after school…can you help?

Your dentist wants to reschedule your
appointment to wed at 9:40. Should you
do it?

Trainer would like to go an extra hour,
should you?

Can you go to your grandmothers house
on Sat for dinner?

Your boss asks you when you are
available to work more hours this week
and she needs to know now.
WHY DO WE NEED A PLANNER?
Would a planner have
helped?
Would you be feeling less
stress?
A planner is a tool, like a
hammer and a pen, to
help you achieve your
goals. “Set it and forget
it”
Is your planner on your desk
right now? Why not!
-Keep your planner on your desk
open to the current week in
EACH CLASS.
-Record all assignments/up
coming tests/projects
-Set-up reminders to study for
those tests and long term
assignments
USING THE PLANNER
Step 1:
In each block write the
name of each class for the
entire week…leaving space
Step 2:
For each class…Record the
assigned HW, test, paper, project
on NONE and what you need to
study that night even if it is not
assigned
Step 3:
Look at the planner at home
during your study time and
prioritize your tasks. (more
on this later) drew a straight
line through or check when
completed
Step 4:
For exams and long term
projects go out and mark
future deadlines and study
times
USING THE PLANNER…PRACTICE
Use the provided planner
blanks and let’s set-up
Julie’s Planner;
Classes:
1st BK Modern World Hist
2nd BK Chemistry
3rd BK English 11
4th BK Digital Photo
USING THE PLANNER
As a group go through her week
day by day…class by class and
create a hypothetical schedule.
Include:
-a test or two
-a multi paragraph paper
-0ne project requiring an outside
of school meeting
-homework assignments
-items to study in class even if
there is “nothing to do”
-add in a work schedule and
some personal plans
Did you???
-set-up future dates to study
or complete segments of a
long-term paper or project
-did you use a highlighter to
mark key/priority items
-List each class in each box
- After NONE did you indicate
a study note
PRIORITIZING ASSIGNMENT METHODS
What does prioritize mean?
to arrange or do in order of
priority: learning to prioritize our
assignments.
Method #1 The Matrix
High Importance
Low Difficulty
Which task do you think should be
complete 1st?
-High Importance/Low Difficulty
i.e. math homework which is always
graded
High Importance
High Difficulty
Low Difficulty
High Difficulty
Low Importance
Low Importance
The High Importance/High Difficulty
may require additional planning
i.e. like a term paper or project
PRIORITIZING ASSIGNMENT METHODS
Method #2 Letter Assignment
1st identify each assignment
by the following…
A = Most urgent
B=important Item
C=not Pressing Usually
extracurricular activities
2nd Assign Numbers to each
letter… A1 is the top priority
You will need to continually
shift these priorities as
assignments are completed
and others assigned.
Method #3 Time Stamping
Identify what must be done
today , by tomorrow, and then
late in the week or up coming
weeks.
COMBINE THIS WITH ONE OF
THE PREVIOUS TWO
METHODS!!!
PRIORITIZING ASSIGNMENT METHODS
So… what prioritizing
method(s) do you like?
Why?
Ok..back to Julie.
Use the method that you selected
and prioritize her assignments
Now…let’s apply these
strategies to your planner.
1. List every class in each block for
the week
2. List assignments for each class
For NONE what needs to be DONE
3. Got out in date and list upcoming
tests, papers, projects.
4. Indicate study dates and/or
project bench mark dates up
toward the actual test/project
date
5. Prioritize multi-assignments
TO-DO LISTS & TIPS
One last method:
A To-Do list is a quick
way to jot down things
you need to do that day
or on a shopping/errand
run
+on a sticky pad
+ voice record on phone
+shopping list
Tips:
Get in the habit of using
your planner every day
Look at the planner at
home or when needed
Use the planner to organize
your daily activities
manage your time well
EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDY SKILLS
You must use your planner every day for this
class and demonstrate the strategies in this
lesson.
The goal is to make this a habit you will use tool
independently in HS, post secondary school,
and in life.
Lecture #3
6 Book Bag & Notebook Organization Tips
TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION
6 BOOK BAG & NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION TIPS
1. Have a place for everything in your
book bag & return to that spot
after use!
Why…avoid wasting time
searching for whatever
-a place for writing tools, planner,
notebooks
2, Take a few minutes to clean out
and reorganize your book bag
every few days.
6 BOOK BAG & NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION TIPS
3. Have a system to set-up your
notebooks..the same system for
all notebooks.
-a place for:
*class lecture notes
*handouts
*exams
*returned HW and assignments
4. Have a separate notebook for
each class & place items there
soon after receiving.
Why…avoid the “shove it in the
bag” habit which creates a mess
6 BOOK BAG & NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION TIPS
5. Write only on one side of notebook
paper when taking lecture notes
or outlining.
-Why.. So that you have space to
jot down questions, comments
etc.
6. Date everything!
-lecture notes
-handouts
-returned work
-Why…So you know when you
received something for study or
for class work
RATE YOUR BOOK BAG AND NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION
OK…so how to you stack up with
these tips?
Rating Scale
1= poor
2=could use some work
3=already doing this
1. Have a place for everything in
your book bag & return to that
spot after use! _____
2, Take a few minutes to clean out
and reorganize your book bag
every few days. _____
3. Have a system to set-up your
notebooks..the same system for all
notebooks. ______
4. Have a separate notebook for
each class & place items there
soon after receiving. _____
5. Write only on one side of notebook
paper when taking lecture notes
or outlining. _____
6.
Date everything! ____
TOTAL:______
RATE YOUR BOOK BAG AND NOTEBOOK ORGANIZATION
Score:
18-17
16-15
14-13
12<
Super Hero!!
Good…just a little
more work
You have some areas
to improve upon
Your need to put
energy into Note
book and Book Bag
organization NOW!!
SUMMARY
Pick one to complete:
1. Orally defend your self-rating on book bag and
notebook organization AND how you plan on
improving.
2. Write a one paragraph summary discussing
your self-rating on book bag and notebook
organization AND how you plan on improving.
**For either choice, explain how you organize
your notebooks
Lecture #4
Establishing Goals & Priorities
TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION
ESTABLISHING GOALS & PRIORITIES
“The person who makes a
success of living is the one who
see his goal steadily and aims for
it unswervingly. That is
dedication.”
Cecil B. DeMille
US movie producer (1881 - 1959)
“We find no real satisfaction or
happiness in life without
obstacles to conquer and goals to
achieve.”
Maxwell Maltz, Communication
Bulletin for Managers &
Supervisors, June 2004
A goal without a plan is just a wish.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
French writer (1900 - 1944)
In the absence of clearly-defined
goals, we become strangely loyal to
performing daily trivia until
ultimately we become enslaved by
it.
Robert Heinlein
US science fiction author (1907 –
1988)
What are your thoughts on goals
and priorities?
ESTABLISHING GOALS & PRIORITIES
Establishing Your Goals
and Priorities handout
-LC Activity for points
-Complete the worksheet
independently
Go over this H/O as a
group and complete
directed activities.
ESTABLISHING GOALS & PRIORITIES
Complete:
1. Weekly Time Schedule
to plan how you are
going to use your time
2. Chart how you actually
used your time this
week. Due…???
ESTABLISHING GOALS & PRIORITIES
Be prepared to defend how you used your time and how your
goals meet the standards on the h/o.
1. Positive (What you want not what you are avoiding)
2.Realistic
3. Achievable
4. Worth while for you
5. A specific time frame
Lecture #5
4 Procrastination Pitfalls and 10 Avoidance Tips
TIME MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATION
WHAT IS PROCRASTINATION?
Definition: Origin:
1580–90; < Latin
prōcrāstinātus (past participle of
prōcrāstināre to put off until
tomorrow, equivalent to prō- pro-1
+ -crāstināre, derivative of
crāstinus of tomorrow;
crās tomorrow + -tinus suffix
forming adjectives from temporal
adverbs); see -ate1
What is procrastination?
A time management issue?
A psychological issue?
What do you think?
Research and opinions differ
Procrastination is NOT
directly related to time
management.
It is a psychological block to
avoid
-something unpleasant
-stressful
-complex
-unfamiliar activities
CONSEQUENCES OF PROCRASTINATION
1. Lower grades in a class, than
what was possible because
of submitting work late.
2. Increased stress
3. Lowered self-esteem
4. Missing application dates
5. Less free time/flexability
4 PROCRASTINATION PITFALLS AND 10 AVOIDANCE TIPS
Pitfalls
(causes of procrastination)
1. Unrealistic expectation about:
-time requirement to complete
an activity or assignment
2. Believing that you do your best
under pressure
3. Not in the “mood” to do work
4.
It must be perfect or it is not
worth doing.
4 PROCRASTINATION PITFALLS AND 10 AVOIDANCE TIPS
Try these Tips to avoid
Procrastinating
Take notes on the discussion on
each topic
1. Give Yourself 5 minutes
2. Divide and Conquer
3. Clear Your Desk
4. Just start!!!
4 PROCRASTINATION PITFALLS AND 10 AVOIDANCE TIPS
5. Recognize when you need
more information & get it.
6. Think positive (self-talk)
7. Recognize Escape Routes
8. Avoid the “great Escape” TV or
video games
9. Get the hardest or easiest
tasks done 1st
10. Reward yourself
4 PROCRASTINATION PITFALLS AND 9 AVOIDANCE TIPS
Consider the following and
write a 1 paragraph reaction
or orally defend.
-Can you think of any other
tips to avoid procrastination?
-What do you do to
procrastinate?
-What tips do you/could you
use?