Tips for Effective Time Management
The most successful system for most students is to combine long-range and short-range plans. Thus, you can
make a general schedule for an entire quarter and then prepare a more specific plan for two or three days a
week at a time. Here are guidelines on how to create a quarter plan and hints on how to get the most out of
the 168 hours you have each week.
1. Choose a planner style and use it. Carry your planner with you at all times. We’ve provided a very
simple (and free) planner in this workbook that you can use to get started. Electronic and PDA
calendars can be very fun and easy to update. Choose a style that works for you.
2. Start your long-range schedule by blocking out your fixed obligations. This will include classes, work,
family time, specific study time, meal and sleep times, and any other obligations that you do each
week and cannot generally be changed. Once you have this long-term schedule of fixed, weekly
obligations work out, make photocopy for each week of the semester to use in short range planning, if
you are using our low tech paper version.
3. Use one of the photocopied planner pages each week to add events that are specific to that week
such as social events, entertainment, visiting with friends, a paper that is due, or an exam that is
coming up. This is your short-range planner.
4. Plan enough time to study. Student should spend at least 2-3 hours of studying for each hour spent in
class. This means that for a four-unit class, you should spend 8-12 additional hours per week for
reading, library work, term papers, test preparation, etc.
5. Try to study at the same time every day. Humans are creatures of habit in many areas of our lives.
Having regular study times for each subject you are taking will help you develop an active approach to
studying and prevent the need for last minute cramming or preparation. This also helps you get “in the
mood” for studying.
6. Make use of the free hours during the school day. The hours between classes are perhaps your most
valuable study time, yet ironically, the most frequently unused. These hours between classes can
effectively be used for reviewing material, editing the notes of the preceding class and/or studying the
material to be discussed in an upcoming class.
7. Read before class. Have the material fresh in your mind. Then you’ll be able to participate in
discussions, take better lecture notes, link the lecture to the text material, and determine which topic
is more important than another.
8. Study notes after lecture classes.
9. Reward yourself with breaks. Take a 10-15 minute break after 60-90 minutes of studying.
10. Be aware of your peak performance time of day. Are you morning, afternoon, or night person? Use
these times to study if at all possible.
11. Be flexible. When forced to deviate from your planned schedule (and that will invariably occur), you
should trade time rather than steal it from your schedule.
12. Set aside time for fun. It is important to have healthy balance of exercise, social activities, and
relaxation.
13. Identify your time robbers. List major interruptions and try to control them. Examples may include
noise, video games, surfing the Internet, phone calls, and TV.
14. Remember to take care of yourself. Don’t forget to get enough sleep, eat properly and don’t commit
to more than you can do (learn to say no).
This guide has been adapted from the Virginia Tech website at http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html