Do you find yourself putting in too little time on classwork and too much time on distractions? Before a test or deadline, do you ever stay up too late to study? Do you struggle with time management, finishing homework, and leading a balanced life because you're stressed? Do you find that your assignments seem to pile up just before a deadline when you are enrolled in remote classes? If so, you are among the many college students who have time management issues. Thankfully, the Learning Center offers a wealth of time management resources to assist you in setting up a routine, forming wholesome habits, finishing tasks, and leading a balanced life.
Effective time management is crucial for maintaining productivity and well-being. Common indicators of poor time management include:
- Chronic Lateness: Regularly arriving late to appointments or meetings suggests difficulties in allocating sufficient time for tasks. This behavior can negatively impact professional relationships and perceptions of reliability.
- Frequent Rushing: Constantly hurrying to meet deadlines or complete tasks may indicate inadequate planning and time allocation, leading to increased stress and errors.
- Missed Deadlines: Inability to complete tasks on time reflects poor time management and can result in decreased productivity and professional credibility.
- Procrastination: Delaying important tasks in favor of less critical activities often leads to last-minute rushes and subpar work quality.
- Decreased Work Quality: Rushed or incomplete work due to insufficient time management can result in errors and a decline in overall performance.
- Elevated Stress Levels: Poor time management often leads to increased stress, as individuals struggle to meet deadlines and manage workloads effectively.
- Overcommitment: Taking on more tasks than one can handle, without considering available time and resources, often results in burnout and decreased efficiency.
Recognizing these signs is the first step toward improving time management skills. Implementing strategies such as setting realistic goals, prioritizing tasks, and establishing clear boundaries can enhance productivity and reduce stress.
Please use this questionnaire to assess your time management skills. The score breakdown is below the questions. Then, meet with an academic coach for help.
I find myself completing tasks at the last minute.
I am often stressed about deadlines and commitments.
Distractions often keep me from working on critical tasks.
I estimate how many hours I will need to study each week.
The tasks I work on during the day are the ones with highest priority.
I consistently meet assignment deadlines.
I set aside time for planning and scheduling.
I begin working on semester-long projects early in the semester.
I know how much time I am spending on the various tasks I do.
I write a daily “to do” list.
I prioritize my “to do” list.
I use goal setting to decide what tasks and activities I should work on.
I make sure social activities don’t interfere with my study/work time.
I leave contingency time in my schedule for the unexpected.
I know if the tasks I am working on are high, medium, or low value.
I set specific goals for each study period.
I begin my study time with my most difficult assignment.
I think about the future and setting long term goals.
I procrastinate because I think I do better work under pressure.
I grab spare bits of time in order to chip away at relatively complex tasks.
I share my plans and goals with others to increase accountability.
I find myself finishing tasks at the last minute or asking for extensions.
I set time aside every week for planning and scheduling.
Distractions often keep me from working on critical tasks.
I complete most of my studying during my most productive hours each day.
I think of being a full-time student as I would a full-time job.
Score the totals and use this scale for burnout assessment:
2 for Always; 1 for Sometimes; 0 for Never
45-50 points: You have excellent time management skills & should use this guide as a reference
30-44 points: You manage your time fairly well but should use this guide to increase your skills
0-29 points: Your time management skills should be improved for college but do not panic!
References
Time Management Inventory. (n.d.). Learning Center. https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/time-management-inventory/
Click here to schedule an appointment with an Academic Coach. They can help with time management, organization, learning differences, reading comprehension, critical-thinking and other academic skills that can ensure your success.
You are done. Great job!