By Sheila Fabius
Sheila Fabius is the director of the Office of Undergraduate Student Success.
Still struggling to manage course work, study time, employment, friends and family? If you find managing your time is a challenge, try some of these quick tips to get your schedule on the right track.
- Print syllabi. Manage your semester by printing and reading all of your course syllabi. Printing your syllabi allows you to easily reference and compare class assignments when creating your time management schedule. You can also place each syllabus in a designated folder or binder for easy reference.
- Choose a time management tool. Decide on what tool will make time management a breeze: NSU student agenda, Outlook, iPad, iPhone or a time management app. Don’t forget to create a daily to-do list to keep your assignments on track.
- Use SharkMail. Visit the Help Desk on the first floor of the Alvin Sherman Library to sync your smart phone with the SharkMail calendar. Your personal and academic calendar will sync into one calendar on your phone.
- Enter assignments and deadlines. Pick a quiet space to organize your thoughts. Use your time management tool to enter class times, course assignments and deadlines.
- Schedule your online courses. Set a specific time and location to complete online class assignments, complete online tasks and study. Creating a specific routine prevents online coursework from accumulating.
- Schedule study time, reading, reviewing and prep time. Be sure to record outside-of-the-classroom preparation time such as studying and reading course material. Ask yourself, “When is the best times and location for me to study? How much time does it take for me to read and understand course readings? Do I need to break large assignments into smaller manageable chunks of time?” Create a management schedule that brings out the best in you in and outside of the classroom.
- Set calendar reminders. Set study reminders five to 10 minutes before your scheduled study time to allow you to mentally disengage from your current activity and actively engage in studying.
- Include student clubs and organizations. Use your scheduled courses, study time and work schedules to begin prioritizing your clubs and organization involvement along with your family responsibilities.
- Share your schedule. Share your academic schedule, including study times, with your employer, family and friends to solicit their support.
- Create a time management habit. It takes 30 days to master a new habit. Don’t be so hard on yourself. If you are having a difficult time creating or following your schedule, make an appointment with an academic success coach for additional assistance.
