Time Management:
Putting First Things First
Leslie Giles-Smith
Program Manager
Learning Success Center
Reflection Question
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Identify three (3) times
during the past year when
you rushed to finish a project
or when you did not find time
for an activity that was
important to you.
Time is unlike money or any
other resources:
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All have 24 hours each day
It cannot be saved
It cannot be seen, heard or touched
It is non-renewable
It CAN be managed
You are in control
Budgeting money starts with
assessing your current spending
habits.
Managing time starts with
assessing your current
scheduling habits.
Reflect back on the past week,
record exactly what you spent
your time doing.
Group Activities together by
Categories:
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Sleep
Meals
Work
Exercise
Recreation
TV/Videos
Grooming
Chores
Class + Study = School Time
What would you like to spend less
time on?
What would you like to spend
more time on?
“A major part of successful living lies in
the ability to put first things first.
Indeed, the reason most major goals
are not achieved is that we spend
our time doing second things first.”
Robert J. McKain
Jar Exercise:
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You have gravel, sand, rocks and
water.
Your task is to fill a jar completely
with all four things.
How do you do it?
Identify Big Blocks of Time
for Priority Activities
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What are your “rocks”?
What is your “gravel”?
What is your “sand”?
What is the “water” that fills the
gaps?
I. Assignment Calendar
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Use a calendar to organize assignments &
due dates
Use your syllabus from each class to
compile info
Break up long term assignments into parts
with dues dates for each part
II. Weekly Schedule
III. Daily “To Do” List
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Create a list
of things you
would like to
accomplish
each day
Use features
on your phone
to add notes
or reminders
Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize
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Make a list of all your responsibilities
Use the A-B-C Method
A = highest priority; must get done
ASAP
 B = not an A or C priority; needs to get
done soon
 C = low priority; consists of what you’d
like to do but can wait
 Assign each item on your list of
responsibilities a letter
 Schedule “A” items; B & C can be fit in
randomly during unscheduled time
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Strategies for Becoming a Good
Time Manager
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Schedule fixed blocks of time first
Include time for errands
Schedule time for fun
Set realistic goals
Allow flexibility in your schedule
Study two hours for every hour in
class
Avoid scheduling marathon study
sessions
How to get the most out of
study time
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Schedule difficult (or boring)
subjects first
Be aware of your best time of day
Use waiting time
Use a regular study area
Study where you’ll be alert
Use the Library
Pay attention to your attention
Put down your phone
How to get the most out of
study time
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Learn to say “No”
Avoid noise distractions
Notice how others misuse your
time
Ask – Is this a piano?
Ask – Would I pay myself for
what I am doing right now?
Strategies for Becoming a Good
Time Manager
Reward yourself
 A job well done deserves to be
recognized. Plan to give yourself a
treat for the completed task.
 Reserve rewards for tasks you
finish.
 Bigger tasks = Bigger rewards
The Myth of Multitasking
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Definition: The ability to perform more
than one task, or activity, over a short
period of time.
Studies have shown that it is impossible
to focus on more than one task at a time
Switchtasking is a Thief
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Results in time wasted due to
human context switching
Causes more errors due to
insufficient attention
Studies estimate that it causes 40% loss in
productivity
Increases stress
May cause disruption in short term memory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCeGKxz
3Q8Q