Planning your time and getting organised

Managing your time at university

This workshop was originally produced at the

Overview of the workshop

This workshop discusses the basic principles of effective time management and self-organisation at university, including:

• Getting organised – setting up filing systems and work spaces

• Making study timetables and termly work schedules

• Getting better informed – what information do you need, and where can you find it?

Managing time at universityHow is it different?

• You are expected to be independent – in your thinking, and your organisation. No-one will organise your study time for you, or remind you when things are late!

• Lots of commitments which need to be balanced

• New ideas and processes = more time needed

• Maybe getting to grips with new living situations?

To start you thinking… What can help you to manage your time?

Work in pairs:

• Consider which you think works best when managing your time – diaries or wall planners?

• Write down up to three things in favour of each and three things against

• Swap sheet with another pair

• Feedback responses to the whole group

Getting yourself organisedWhat do you need to think about?

• A weekly timetable including study times

• A simple filing system

• A comfortable and appropriate place to work

• A work schedule for the term

• Where to find the information you need

• Who can provide support if you need it

Making a study timetableWhat do you need to include?

• Start with lectures, seminars, tutorials and lab times

• Add regular commitments (work, meetings, clubs etc)

• Book in some times for independent study – use your best times for concentrating where possible

• Don’t book yourself up 24/7! Keep some times for not studying (e.g. socialising, chores, keeping fit etc)

An example timetableBefore 9.00 9.00-11.00 11.00-13.00 14.00-15.00 15.00-17.00 After 19.00

Mon Lecture: Myth 10-11 PB 101 Work in library 11-12

Lecture: Rome 12-1 HUM44

Keep free Seminar: Myth 3-4 URS21

Independent study

Tues Swim Independent study

Independent study

Lecture: Epic 4-5 PB105

Wed Seminar: Rome 9-10 HUM15 Independent study 10-11

Independent study

Badminton 2-3 Badminton 3-4 (Union night)

Thurs Swim Independent study

Independent study

Lecture: Myth 2-3 PB101 Work in library 3-4

Lecture: Rome 4-5 HUM44

Film soc

Fri Lecture: Epic 9-10 PB 105Seminar: Epic 10-11 URS21

Independent study

Independent study

(Out with friends)

Sat Paid work Paid work Paid work Paid work (Out with friends)

Sun Independent study

Make to-do list for next week

Making sense of the mess!Setting up a filing system

• Make it simple – if it’s complicated, you won’t use it

• Aim to be able to file it quickly and find it quickly

• Use box files or magazine holders to store documents, notes, small books etc – label clearly

• Use document folders to transport what you need each day - empty and repack these regularly!

Finding a place to studyWhat do you need to think about?

• Work at home or in library? Are there any other alternatives?

• What will work best for you? (Where are you least likely to be distracted? Will you be able to take everything you need if you work away from home?)

• Can you make enough space so you don’t have to keep moving things while you’re working?

• Make yourself comfortable – but not too comfortable!

Planning a work scheduleHow to fit it all in

• Use a grid – work back from your deadlines to when you think you need to start work

• Make a separate list of tasks for each assignment or task, then fit the tasks into the time you have to do them

• If your assignments are all due at the same time, set your own deadlines to stagger them

• Remember: word counts and deadlines set the scope of the assignment - don’t try to do more than is expected!

An example term plan5th century Athens Greek myth Homer and epic Notes

Week 4 Start reading for presentation

Week 5 Write & give seminar presentation (for Wed)

Start reading for essay and commentary

Week 6 Start reading for essay Write commentary for epic - due Friday

Mum’s birthday - go home Friday

Week 7 Write first draft of essay

Start reading for essay and presentation

Week 8 Write first draft of essay

Write first draft of essay

Week 9 Revise essay and fill in gaps – finish this week?

Write & give seminar presentation (for Wed)

Week 10 Essay due Friday Revise essay and fill in gaps – essay due Friday

Revise essay and fill in gaps – essay due Friday

Hall Social Thursday night - get essays finished early!

Getting better informedWhat you need to know and how to find it

• Independent study means working out what you need to know and where you will find it

• What information do you need to study effectively and successfully?

• How would you find that information?

• Fill in the worksheet – complete any gaps after the workshop

Any questions?

For more on time management and other study practices...

LearnHigher time management webpagesFor guides and exercises on all aspects of time management

www.learnhigher.ac.uk/learningareas/timemanagement/home.htm

The LearnHigher network brings together the expertise and experience of 16 universities to produce research-informed support for study practices. www.learnhigher.ac.uk