Time management

Study development advisorsInstitute for Academic DevelopmentUniversity of Edinburgh2013-14

Time sponges“My top tip for time management is get yourself to the library because in your own flat you can make endless cups of tea or go on Facebook and at the library you are just far less distracted and more productive.”Rachel, 3rd year, HistoryTalking 'Eds (Undergraduate)https://v3.pebblepad.co.uk/v3portfolio/pebble/Asset/View/Gfd459qRgq3p8xpjdxfwwcZGcw

The time sponge: Things you do instead of working• Take a card and write a note of your biggest time

sponge on the top half.• Pass it on to your left.• Read someone else’s note and write a possible

solution on the bottom half.• Pass the note on again.• In your small group share the sponges and the

solutions.

Adapted from:Burns, T. and Sinfield, S. (2012) Essential Study Skills: The complete guide to success at university. 3rd ed. SAGE Study Skills series, London, pp74-75.

Go around one more time:Things you do to refocus• What works for you when you find you are losing

concentration?• Share your experience in your small group and

compile these tips on sticky notes. • Post these notes for everyone to read later before

they leave.

Adapted from:Burns, T. and Sinfield, S. (2012) Essential Study Skills: The complete guide to success at university. 3rd ed. SAGE Study Skills series, London, pp74-75.

Tools

Planning and prioritising

Prioritisingimportant

urge

nt

Fold a sheet of paper in

four and add these

arrows.

Add your assignments,

any deadlines and all the

other things you need or

would like to do.

important

urge

nt

Stuff I would like to do if…

Assignments due in a few weeks.

Work I need to prepare or submit quite soon.

Social event.

Post Gran’s card.

Laundry. Clothes shopping.

Prioritisingimportant

urgent

Do this now

Prioritisingimportant

urgent

Do this now Start it before it becomes urgent

Prioritisingimportant

urgent

Do this now Start it before it becomes urgent

Do it if you can

Prioritisingimportant

urgent

Do this now Start it before it becomes urgent

Do it if you can

Prioritising

Use a table or a wall

Group together

Colour code

Put key things on sticky notes or cards

Move them around to get an

order

Stick in a notebook

Revise regularly

PlanningTime Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

7 - 8  

           

8 - 9              

9 - 10             

10 - 11             

11 - 12              

12 - 1              

1 - 2              

2 - 3              

3 - 4             

4 - 5             

5 - 6              

6 - 7              

7 - 8              

8 - 9              

9 - 10              

10 - 11             

Planning  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

morning

             

afternoon

             

evening

             

Calendar

Sem

este

r pla

nner

Our top tips for planning

Discuss in your groups:• What do you do now that you find

useful?

• What might you do differently in future?

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