Time Management
Goal: You manage your time so
time doesn’t control you.
But… what is time, really?
If TIME is LIFE
And LIFE is TIME,
wasting time
means wasting life.
What kind of time manager are
you?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I think daily planning guides are a
waste of time.
My academic goals are pretty
clear to me.
Leaving assignments until the
last minute is big problem for me.
I organize time very well.
I wish I were more motivated.
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Continued…
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
It’s easy for me to cut short visits
with people who drop by when
I’m studying.
Visitors should feel free to see
me whenever they want.
I know which activities in my life
are important and which ones
aren’t.
I’m a perfectionist in everything I
do.
I have enough time for leisure
activities.
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Yes No
Scoring

Odd Numbered Statements 1 pt. for each YES
 Even Numbered Statements 1 pt. for each NO
1-2 You’re on top but can still improve
 3-4 You’re treading water
 5-7 Managing time well is a problem
 8-10 You’re on the verge of chaos!

Time Management enables you
to:
Achieve more:
So you can get the most out of your
academic career.
2. Have more free time:
So you can participate in activities that are
important to you.
3. Lead a balanced life:
So you can better enjoy work and play.
4. Meet deadlines.
1.
You owe it to yourself to use time
well!

How you use your time reflects the kind of
person you are and want to be.
 If you care about your future then you’ll care
about the way you organize your time.
Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed

List all of your tasks and
projects.
 Assign priorities.
 Once you’ve decided what
is most important, FOCUS
on doing it and plan your
week (or month)
accordingly.

Example…
Know your “peak times”
“High Energy Times”
 Have the most energy
 Feel the most
productive
 Think most clearly
“Low Energy Times”
 Fade quickly
 Have the least
energy
 Feel less alert
When are yours?
How to schedule
1.
Use a planning guide
Buy or make your own weekly planning guide.
Schedule key events, projects, deadlines, etc. What
you use for planning is not as important as making
use of it.
2.
Divide and conquer
Make your work manageable. Divide large tasks into
several smaller parts and complete one at a time.
3.
Focus on Goals
Don’t lose sight of your larger goals and aims. Know
the big picture!
4.
Be Realistic
So now you have a schedule.
How do you stick to it?
 Before
making new commitments,
physically block out the time on your
schedule—can you really fit in the new
task?
 Once begun is half done.
 Control internal and external interruptions.
 Reward yourself for staying on schedule.
Better Skills Lead to
Better Grades
Visit your El Centro College
Learning Center (Room A350)
for more information on study skills,
tutoring, and time management.