Many distance learners will face difficulties with time management
while they work, attend college and participate in the lives of friends
and family.
Here are few tips to manage your time a little better.
1. Create a task list
– Task lists are simple to do lists that you check off when you
complete a task. There are also various programs that can help you with
a task list. Check out Microsoft Outlook for a simple task list. There are
also good websites like
Remember the Milk, where you can share lists with family members and you can access your task list as long as you have an Internet connection.
2. Prioritize – Decide what the most important task is, and complete it in order or priority.
3. Don’t Procrastinate
– How often have you said to yourself that you will get will get it
done after you watch a movie or TV program? You’ll likely feel guilty,
so get it down now.
4. Learn When to Say No – Many
people have trouble saying no when something is requested of them. If
you are going to manage your time wisely, you will have to learn to say
no to activities/events/requests that will drain you of your time and
energy, especially if you don’t find the activity worthwhile.
5. Learn to spend your time effectively
– There are only so many things that can be multi-tasked. Talking on
the phone and writing a report just doesn’t work. Use your time
effectively, and only multi-task items on your to do list that can done
without interference, for example reading while you commute is a great
use of time.
6. Schedule items – Make a schedule of the
next few weeks that way nothing will come as a surprise. Exams are
usually announced well in advance. If you know that you will need to
finish reading a 400 page book, divide it up accordingly and do a
little bit each day so that you don’t feel overwhelmed towards the end
of semester. You should also add in any major projects at work and
major family events such as a wedding or vacation. If you plan
according it is possible to get it all done.
If you find
yourself falling behind, don’t agonize, just get back on track. Too
many of us spend too much time worrying. It’s much easier to devote
that kind of energy to completing a task.