Getting started

1. Introduction

Time management is one of the most challenging aspects of study for many people. Finding efficient ways to manage time that work for you can make a significant difference to your study experience and outcomes, so it is well worth the effort you put into it!  The Academic Success Planner might be a good place to start.

Different things work for different people.  What follows is just one approach..

1.1. Step 1: Establish your goals

We all have competing priorities.  Many people work part-time, or study-part time whilst working full-time and raising a family.  Living life is also important!

1.2. Step 2: Planning the big picture

Your next step is to plan at the semester level.  This step is about prioritising what will help you achieve your goal and compromise on all the other things.

Consider:

1. What are my non-negotiables?  You might like to prioritise:

1. fixed deadlines (assignments, exams, birthdays)

2. things that help you achieve your goal (study)

3. things that are important to you  (time with friends)

4. things that help you stay well (exercise)

2. What are the issues that need attention?  Are there periods of high workload, multiple or conflicting activities. (Weeks 7 and 15 are often high workflow.)

3. Then, work backwards from these deadlines with mini-deadlines, to alleviate these issues.

4. Leave space for back-up plans – maybe put your assignment deadlines a few days early, or try to get one out of the way earlier than due if you have a clash?

Use a planner and keep it up to date. USQ’s Social Hub has a range of templates to download. There is of course an ever-growing range of electronic planners and apps that may also be convenient for you.

1.3. Step 3: Planning the detail

Once you have the big picture planned, and you know what needs to be achieved in the semester, you can think about each of the weeks.  This is very similar to the last step…

1. What are your non-negotiables?  Prioritise:

1. fixed deadlines (classes)

2. things that help you achieve your goal (time to revise each evening)

3. things that are important to you (part-time work commitments)

4. things that help you stay well (sleeping in on the weekend)

2. Then look back to your semester plan for the issues that need attention eg periods of high workload, multiple or conflicting activities.   Consider what you need to add into this week so that you do not have a high stress time later.

3. Leave space for ‘just-in-case’ emergencies!

2. What works for you?

Remember, this is your plan.  What works for you?

1. Identify your weaknesses and target these:

1. Always run out of time? Try backwards planning for your assignments. Working out how much time you need for each task, and work backwards to see when you need to start each task, and when you need to move on to the next one. Try using this  Assignment Calculator to get you started.

2. Are you a procrastinator?  Try the ‘one small thing’ approach.  Often we procrastinate because the entire task seems too big.  Break it down into elements and ask yourself to just do one small thing, then another small thing, then another...

3. Just don’t like the unit/task?  Bribe yourself. Use the 25/5 method.  Work for 25 minutes before taking 5 minutes to do yoga, make a cuppa, have a walk outside...

4. Does it take you too long to complete your reading?  Look into reading strategies that encourage you to read broadly instead of deeply.

5. Do you find your hard work doesn’t pay off on assignments?  Focus on task sheets so that you are completing exactly what your lecturer has set.  Check your understanding of tasks.

2. What has worked for you in the past?

1. Morning person? Get your writing done first thing and schedule non-thinking activities in the afternoon. Night owl? Do the opposite.

2. When are you most productive and in what situations? Try to replicate these conditions for your planned study time.

Finally, you might find some useful tips in the video below.

Watch this TED talk:  How to manage your time more effectively (according to machines)

3. Active Learning

What is Active Learning?

• Many people experience passive learning in primary and high school.  Passive learning is when the teacher is in charge of the learning.  It’s the teacher who is talking, asking questions, writing information down and controlling the path of the learning.

• Active learning is when you are in charge.  Active learning is when you are responsible for your own learning experiences and learning outcomes.

• It’s exciting, because it lets you be in charge of your own experience and outcome.

What are the benefits of active learning?

• It gives you the skills you need to promote success in your future experiences.

• You can concentrate longer when you are actively engaging.

• It deepens your learning and promotes higher-order thinking.

• You learn more and retain it for longer.

• Being an active learner is the best support if you struggle to learn.

How to be an active learner:

• Taking responsibility for your own learning - prioritise what is important to you.

• Ask questions.

• Talk to others about what you have learnt.

• Use study desk well by keeping pace with the material and posting to forums.

• Manage your time.

• Identify supports and use them.

• Try  to prepare for exams.

• Use the content you have learnt in one course to help you with another.

• Try an active note-taking system e.g.  .   

4. Avoiding procrastination

Try not to feel guilty when you procrastinate.  

We all put things off occasionally.  Why not avoid procrastination by understanding it?  The most common causes of procrastination are:

• Anxiety:  

• We will often put off a task that we are worried about.  This isn’t a successful strategy, however. Instead of worrying, spend your time working on your first draft.  Even if it’s not perfect, it means you are started.

• Confusion:

• Sometimes, we will put off starting a task because we really don’t understand what it is we need to do.  Try emailing your lecturer, checking in forums or asking a Meet Up Leader. All of these will help you clarify the task, so that you can get started.

• Self-doubt:

• Many students think they’re not going to be able to do the task before they even try to do so.  This kind of self-doubt is normal - but not helpful. Don’t forget that there are lots of supports around to help you out.  It’s amazing what you can achieve, when you start trying to do so.

• Lack of interest:

• Often we’ll put off a task we’re not interested in doing.  This is natural. There will be parts of every job, every course and every program that you simply don’t enjoy as much as others.  The best way to overcome this is to put the task into perspective. How will it help you achieve your goal? If that doesn’t work, try bribing yourself!

• Timing:

• Sometimes, we will procrastinate because we’re trying to do something at the wrong time.  Are you a morning person, or a night person? Attempt your most complex tasks when you are feeling up to completing them.  Try to find yourself a quiet, uninterrupted couple of hours when you can be your best and therefore do your best work.

Top tips for overcoming procrastination:

• There’s nothing wrong with rewarding yourself for your achievements.  Select something that gives you joy (chocolate, time with friends) to reward yourself after you have finished a stage.

• Never underestimate the power of a ‘to do’ list.  Not only does a list help you to identify what you need to do, and how important it is to do it, it also helps celebrate your achievements as you cross each task off the list.  

• Our social hub has some great tips for overcoming procrastination.  

• The ‘Pomodoro technique’ suggests you work productively for 25 minutes, before giving yourself 5 minutes off.