Managing Time as an Adult Learner
Managing time as an adult learner
Daniel L. Beard
COLL100 B155 Sum 13
American Military University
Prof. Allen Olsen
Managing time as an adult learner
Some people say “there aren’t enough hours in the day”. The people who usually say that kind of statement need help with time management. Successfully managing time and energy is a skill that an adult learner must find and master. To stretch those hours in the day it takes planning, being flexible and balancing obligations. Prioritizing tasks, not procrastinating, is something a student needs to do to achieve his/her goals to graduate.
Planning is one of the most important skills to have as a student. The importance of planning is to make a reasonable plan and stick to it. A plan will do no good if you make it and don’t utilize it. One of the biggest mistakes a student can make is that, while planning, the student will not account for unforeseen last minute work that needs to be done. That is where the student must identify the priority of work and make a decision. Making a study calendar or simply, writing your obligations down on a piece of paper can dramatically help a student remember assignments and due dates. Visually seeing a due date written down as a reminder will be a constant annoyance and motivate the student to stop putting it off and sit down and complete the obligation. Sometimes, when those unforeseen tasks come to light, it might be better to say “no” and make sure your obligation is taken care of first. Make time for your work, help others when you can. Time sensitive obligations will be at the top of anyone’s to do list. Getting an assignment done that is due tomorrow is more important than taking out the trash that gets picked up on next Thursday. Identifying time sensitive priorities directly ties into a study calendar. Placing assignments on a calendar will help the student identify any time sensitive jobs that need to make a deadline. Long term
Daniel L. Beard
COLL100 B155 Sum 13
American Military University
Prof. Allen Olsen
Managing time as an adult learner
Some people say “there aren’t enough hours in the day”. The people who usually say that kind of statement need help with time management. Successfully managing time and energy is a skill that an adult learner must find and master. To stretch those hours in the day it takes planning, being flexible and balancing obligations. Prioritizing tasks, not procrastinating, is something a student needs to do to achieve his/her goals to graduate.
Planning is one of the most important skills to have as a student. The importance of planning is to make a reasonable plan and stick to it. A plan will do no good if you make it and don’t utilize it. One of the biggest mistakes a student can make is that, while planning, the student will not account for unforeseen last minute work that needs to be done. That is where the student must identify the priority of work and make a decision. Making a study calendar or simply, writing your obligations down on a piece of paper can dramatically help a student remember assignments and due dates. Visually seeing a due date written down as a reminder will be a constant annoyance and motivate the student to stop putting it off and sit down and complete the obligation. Sometimes, when those unforeseen tasks come to light, it might be better to say “no” and make sure your obligation is taken care of first. Make time for your work, help others when you can. Time sensitive obligations will be at the top of anyone’s to do list. Getting an assignment done that is due tomorrow is more important than taking out the trash that gets picked up on next Thursday. Identifying time sensitive priorities directly ties into a study calendar. Placing assignments on a calendar will help the student identify any time sensitive jobs that need to make a deadline. Long term
References: Bly, R. (1999). 101 ways to make every second count: time management tips and techniques for more success with less stress. Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press. Hafner, A., Stock, A. (2010) Time Management Training and Perceived Control of Time at Work. Journal of Psychology, Vol. 144 (Issue 5), p429 19p. Landsberger, J. (1996). Study Guides and Strategies. Retrieved from http://www.studygs.net/timman.htm Mayo Clinic staff. (1998) Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/time-management/wl00048