This seminar discusses time management strategies for university students. It covers setting long-term, mid-range, and short-term goals; finding a work-life balance; using time management tools like term schedules, commitment calendars, and to-do lists; and tips for avoiding procrastination. The seminar emphasizes breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable steps and using a weekly schedule to stay on top of assignments.

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Seminar Overview
• Most of us spend 80% of our time on trivial things, and use 20% of
our time to accomplish everything important. How can we learn
to be better organized?
• In this seminar, we’ll discuss the importance of balancing the
various aspects of your life as you make the transition to
University studies.
• Specifically, the seminar will cover
– Goal Setting: long-term, mid-range, short-term
– Finding the Balance
– Time Management Tools
– Time Management Tips
– Take Home Points

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Long-Term Goals: Plan with a
Purpose
• Are you happy with the way you manage your time
currently?
• Changing the way you do things means you
recognize you could improve yourself.
• First, you want to establish your goals:
– What do you want out of life?
– What do you want out of your studies?
It may take 4 to 20 years to achieve your Long Term Goals.

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Mid-Range Goals: Looking Ahead
• What do you want to achieve this year?
• Are your goals attainable/realistic?
Short-Term Goals: Breaking it Down
• What must happen/ be done for you to achieve
these mid-range and long term goals?
Taking care of today’s details ensures you
are preventing tomorrow’s problems.

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Finding the Balance
• One week = 168 hours
–56 hours a week: sleeping
–56 hours for academics
–56 hours for ‘life’
The big enemy to finding
balance?PROCRASTINATION

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Reasons Students Procrastinate
• Waiting for the “right mood” or “right time”
• Believing that best work is done under pressure
• Misjudging how long a task will take
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Misinterpreting/misunderstanding assignment
• Feeling shy about asking for help
• Any other ideas?

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Time Management Tools
Term
Schedule
Fixed
Commitment
Schedule
Daily ‘To Do’
List
Weekly ‘To
Do’ List

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Tool #1: Term Schedule
• Use course syllabus, and a different coloured
marker for each course, to put this information on
the calendar:
– All assignments
– All tests
– All exams
• use CAPITALS for exams or colour differently

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Tool #2: Fixed Commitment Calendar
• Classes
• Meals
• Study
• Sleep
• Work (unless hours vary)
• Extra-curricular activities: sports, clubs,
volunteering

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How much time do you need to
study?
• 2 hours of study for each hour in class.
• More difficult classes may need 3 or more hours of
study for each hour in class.
• If you have 5 classes per term, you will spend at
least 9 hours per week per class, equivalent to
having more than a full time job
A full schedule of 5 classes per term equals a minimum of 45 hours of
study commitments per week.

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Tool #3: Weekly ‘To Do’ Lists
On Sunday Night:
• List assignments due that week
• Every night check this list to see if you are on
top of everything

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Tool #4: Daily ‘To Do’ Lists
Each morning:
• Prioritize tasks
A for high priority tasks
B for medium priority tasks
C for low priority tasks
• Add tasks left over from previous day
• Put academic goals at top of page
• Put personal goals at bottom
• Check off completed tasks

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Sample Daily ‘To Do’ Lists
Academic:
History: Read text pp. 177-187
Sociology: Select essay topic
Biology: Prepare study cards for Chapter 2
Psychology: Read text pp. 34-44
Statistics: Book tutoring session
Personal:
Go to Office of Student Awards & Financial Aid
Do Laundry

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Time Management Tips
80/20 Rule
• We spend 80% of our time on the trivial things.
• We spend 20% of our time on the vital things.
• Concentrate on the activities of value.
– Ask yourself: Is this the best use of my time right now?
– If it’s not …

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The Power of 10
• Overwhelmed? Anxious?
– Make a plan, break the task into steps, write them down and cross
them off as you do them.
– Use academic supports such as the Writing Centre, see the GA for
the class or the prof. Ask questions!
• Take control of your study environment.
– Find a spot that you associate with schoolwork
– Remove/tidy 10 things from your workspace
• The ‘Swiss Cheese’ Approach
– 10 Minute Ticker – use short periods of time to work away at the
assignment

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Time Management Take Home
Points
1. Be realistic about how much time you have.
2. Start assignments and papers as soon as you can.
3. Break large tasks into small, manageable chunks.
4. Schedule time to complete each study task, and build in
breaks.
5. Tackle difficult courses first.
6. Learn to say no. Use a “Do not Disturb” sign.
7. Use the ‘Swiss Cheese’ approach.
8. Concentrate! Give 100% of your attention to the task.

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References
Academic Success Press Study Guides and Strategies. (1996)
http://www.studygs.net/
Ban Blerkon, D. (2003) College Study Skills
Fleet, J. et al (1999) Learning for Success
Fry, R. (2000) How to Study
Longman, D. Atkinson, R. (2002) College Learning and Study Skills

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Thank you for your participation!
http://ssc.lakeheadu.ca
ssc@lakeheadu.ca
807-343-8018
SC 0008
•Seminar content and handouts are available on our
website under: Skills for Success Seminars
•Keep an eye out for posters advertising our upcoming
events and seminars!