Time Management Exercise

Adapted from "Becoming a Master Student" by David Ellis

The purpose of this 3 step exercise is to transform time into a knowable and predictable resource.

Step 1: Click here for grid (Word file):  "My week _/__/_to_/__/_"  to see how you use your time for one week. First record all scheduled fixed blocks of time: class time, music lessons & practice, sports practices & games Record how you used your frees Record how you used study halls Show times of:                                 travel/commute                                 chores                                 other classes outside Lakeside                                 religious activities                                 family activities                                 entertainment TV/movies/etc.                                 fun                                 exercise                                 all other activities

Step 2:  Click here for grid (Word file):  "Time Mgmt. Analysis for Week of __/__/__". Using your grid from step 1, group your activities together by categories. (Add categories as needed.) Make sure the grand total of all categories is 168 hours.

Step 3:  Use your data to do some reflecting & planning. Record changes on grid used in step 2, far right column. Here are some suggestions: By analyzing the results of one week of monitoring my time I discovered that... I want to spend more time on... I want to spend less time on... How can I get part of my homework done before dinner? Am I setting clear starting and stopping times? (Setting a timer can help focus and get homework done without phone calls, chat room, daydreaming...) Do I need to schedule more time for some subjects? Do I use waiting time, especially travel time?  (Have short study tasks ready to do during these times.  For example, carry your 3x5 language vocabulary cards/make an audio tape and finish your wait at the dentists office or your commute with part of your homework done.)