plan your study
Do you plan your study tasks and meet them in the time that is available for you?
Before you set about planning with the aim to make the most of your time, try recording all your activities in the course of a week.
You will obtain a better idea of how much time you spend by meeting your study tasks, by having rest, enjoying yourself, and how much time you just squander away.
The following questionnaire can help you assess your time management (after Nagel, 1992)
Another important step is working out of a weekly schedule. A diary or some other type of record sheet can help you do that; you can put down the schedule of lectures, seminars and practical courses and add a plan for your home study and leisure time.
The following guidelines can help you set up your plan
Every evening, check up how you have met the schedule and look at what lies ahead and what you would like to do next day.
At the end of the week, evaluate how the planned tasks were met and set up a plan for the next week.
The purpose of the planning is to help you make full use of your time and the schedule in your diary is intended to be an aid, not a whip in your incessant race against the time. Allow for unexpected events. On the other hand, don´t let “unexpected events” become a regular excuse for your not having met the plan.
A regular review of the plan at the end of every day and week will teach you to plan your activities in a realistic way and to make the most of the time available.
You will be rewarded by a feeling of satisfaction that you are able to meet your study duties and at the same time manage to find some time for relaxation and entertainment.