I suck at time management. Can I have some advice?

[tms01234]

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so my midterms are almost over and I am pretty sure I failed my gen chem lecture exam as well as the exam for my lab. the good news is that the lab is only one credit, and for the lecture we can replace our lowest exam grade with our final exam.

the bad news is; I don't really manage my time that well. I work two jobs currently (around 20 hours per week) and I am tired a lot. coffee does not help; it gives me panic attacks. Most of my classes get out late and I commute (class gets out at 6-7:30 p.m. almost every day and I live 30 mins from campus). I barely have gaps in between my classes and I usually have homework every single week that takes me hours and hours to complete. I am only taking 12 credits so I don't know why this is so hard for me.

I failed these exams because I was not serious (and that I was tired from midterms week) and did not manage my time properly. Could someone please give me advice on how to study for multiple exams (as in, several in a week or in a day? I haven't quite figured that out). all of my exams for this semester are, unfortunately, placed on the same week and within 1 day of each other.I don't really make a schedule because my life is so hectic; I would appreciate anyone commenting on how they learned to manage their time.

Sorry if this post sounds fragmented or incomplete/confusing/grammatically incorrect. my brain is fried. thanks in advance!

 

[LogOff]

What do you spend your time doing?
Can't give help unless we know where your time goes.

 

[DAPI]

Yeah, I'm kinda sitting here scratching my head thinking where does his(her) time go?... My conclusion was wasted time in the morning. If you're getting out of class at 6 or 7:30 at night, you must not be starting class till noon at the earliest. If you're not working in the mornings, then that time is literally wasted.

I'd recommend either utilizing that time to study or try and schedule your classes in the morning so you literally have all afternoon and evening to study or work.


More info is clearly needed.

 

[survivordo]

.I don't really make a schedule because my life is so hectic; I would appreciate anyone commenting on how they learned to manage their time.[/B]

Sorry if this post sounds fragmented or incomplete/confusing/grammatically incorrect. my brain is fried. thanks in advance!

Is there anything in your life that is so hectic that it can't be scheduled. Surely you know your work, class and exam schedule ahead of time. What else is there? Maybe it's time to start making a schedule and then FORCING yourself to stick to it. Hopefully this will become habit.

Other common time management mistakes-

When you are studying, you are studying, not surfing the net, not screwing around on your cell phone. An hour of quality concerted studying is better than 4 of poor studying.

If you can't concentrate at home, go to the library, that is what it is there for.

It sounds like you need a drink. This should be your first order of business.

Survivor DO

 

[bluestreaks]

I'd recommend studying a little bit after every single class, or at least for 30 minutes each day, so that you don't have to stress and study a bunch when you have those hell exam weeks. I swear it's very effective.

Right after a class, find somewhere nice to sit, and look over everything you just learned in lecture. Solidify most of it, and figure out what is still unclear. Address those in office hours.

You'll save a lot of time that way, since you won't have to relearn things right before exams.

 

[IniestaDeMiVida]

I'd recommend studying a little bit after every single class, or at least for 30 minutes each day, so that you don't have to stress and study a bunch when you have those hell exam weeks. I swear it's very effective.

Right after a class, find somewhere nice to sit, and look over everything you just learned in lecture. Solidify most of it, and figure out what is still unclear. Address those in office hours.

You'll save a lot of time that way, since you won't have to relearn things right before exams.

👍

Also, it helps me to make a detailed schedule of when I need to finish things and my goals for studying. And "To Do" lists always motivate me to get things done. When do you have time? I'm assuming you have time on the weekends?

 

[Remy LeBeau]

First, figure out where your time is going. When I found myself struggling to manage my time, I downloaded a time tracking app on my phone and logged all my time spent on the Internet, studying, sleeping, eating, exercising... you name it. After a few days of detailed time tracking, I saw where I was wasting time.

Next, minimize the things that waste your time. I deactivated my Facebook, and this was by far the largest factor in giving me more time. Minimize your use of things like Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, and even SDN.

If you don't have a Google account, get one and make use of their calendar and task list functions. You can manage both from your phone and computer. I know it sounds ridiculous, but schedule time for sleep, chores, commuting, class... everything that you do on a regular basis.

Finally, be flexible. Don't let the calendar rule you. Unexpected things happen all the time and throw your schedule off.

You should spend two or three hours studying outside of class for each hour of lecture. On your calendar, schedule study time specific to each class. That way, each class gets the attention it needs. Put your professors' office hours and your exams/assignments on your calendar too. Give your tasks due dates and stick to them the best you can.

Like I said, I was struggling with time management when my schedule began to fill up, and these were the things that helped me. Trust me, once you structure your time, sanity will follow.

 

[Excision]

In the words of Ronnie Coleman

"Ain't nothin to it but to do it"

 

[cerno]

Don't get sucked into SDN.

 

[IslandStyle808]

I'd recommend studying a little bit after every single class, or at least for 30 minutes each day, so that you don't have to stress and study a bunch when you have those hell exam weeks. I swear it's very effective.

Right after a class, find somewhere nice to sit, and look over everything you just learned in lecture. Solidify most of it, and figure out what is still unclear. Address those in office hours.

You'll save a lot of time that way, since you won't have to relearn things right before exams.

+1

I am going to one up this comment by saying not only should you just be studying after your class but "study before your classes." Try to preview your lecture notes and make questions to these notes (or even just skim the chapter of your book if you don't have notes). When you go to class, try to see if those questions are answered and also if there are extra things that needed to be noted during lecture. If your questions are still unanswered, then try to see if the professor can answer them after lecture or try to see if you can find it in the book. OP, as bluestreaks has stated, you will need less time to study out of class by doing this strategy.

 

[austinblnd]

I am in the process of fixing a pretty bad procrastination habit. One thing I have found to help me is to make lists. Every weekend I make a list my assignments for the next week according to the day they are due. I also have a section on the wall in my room labeled "Important Due Dates Through March" and list all major exam and paper due dates with Post-It notes under it for March (or whatever month you happen to be in). Not only does that section on my wall help me prioritize my time and motivate me to study in advance for tests, but it feels pretty damn good when you get to rip that Post-It note off the wall and throw it in the trash after you ace the test.

When it comes down to it, your time management skills is all based on will power. You have to dedicate yourself to what you want (need) to get accomplished, even if that means spending an hour less on Facebook a day or an hour less of sleep each night.

Oh, and as someone suggested earlier, minimize your time on SDN

 

[mouthwash4hobo]

Time management took me years to figure out. In fact, I'm still learning but am noticing improvement every week. Seriously consider a schedule. It will not happen in a day; following a schedule, but you'll get much more accomplished this way.
It doesn't have to be strict with time brackets, but have certain tasks that need to be finished during given hours you're available to study/whatever - could apply to when to shower/exercise/laundry/meal prep...
I also make daily to-do lists to remember any extra tasks out of the norm that needs to get done.
I have a dry-erase board next to the computer that says the date/amount/bill type for bills so as to not forget payments! Organization helps relieve the "hectic" lifestyle.

If possible, consider working less hours or taking less classes. During my first year of college, I thought I could work 40 hours/week and take 12 credits/semester. I was burned out with my job after a year and dropped out of school about the same time.
If you want to do well in your classes, make it your top priority. I didn't get this until I went back to pursue the degree 5 years later. Personally, I wasn't ready for college at 18 and my grades reflected that mindset.

Ok dealing with multiple exams, the key is preparing daily for every class. Read/practice problems BEFORE lecture - then lecture just focuses on what you may not have figured out studying yourself. Review material daily or as often as possible or you will lose that info and feel the stress of preparing for multiple exams.

Also, don't forget to take breaks! (Ex. read 5 pages of biology text, get up and move around for a minute, then reflect on what you just read.)