Time management. One of those jargon phrases you keep hearing and it just sounds so... boring. And time management lectures sound like another oxymoron, just another way to waste time without learning something new, right?
Well, they can be. But there are a few tips that you may be able to use, and it doesn't take days or years to master them. Most just require a little bit of thinking on your part to see how you can change your habits to make the best use of your time.
For instance - if you find that you can only study during daylight hours, it's not generally a good idea to stay up each night till 4am gaming/chatting with friends and then sleeping till midday, giving you just an hour or two before class to get everything else (like taking a shower, eating, etc.) done. On the other hand, if you study best when everyone's asleep and your classes aren't first thing in the morning, you may want to adjust your sleeping pattern to stay up later so you can take advantage of the quiet times.
Before you start reading further, try this easy time management calculator to see where your time goes and how much spare time you have. You might be surprised!
I've done that - what now?
Think about how you normally study.
- How long can you concentrate without a break?
30 minutes? 50? 10? Take note, and arrange your study time accordingly. If you need a break every 15 minutes, take a short break. Walk around your dorm, or watch a cartoon. (This doesn't mean watch your favorite TV show and study during the commercials!) - Do you take the bus or end up waiting for your ride home?
Take a book with you, and use those few minutes to read another chapter. Even 5 minutes twice a day can make a difference - that's almost an hour per week! - Do you review the lecture material immediately after class?
This gives you the greatest chance of remembering the important details, and will make sure you really do understand it.