Time management is an important skill for college students. Some common time management issues students face include coming to class late, turning assignments in late or not at all, panicking before exams, and cramming homework right before class. It's important for students to set realistic goals and priorities for the semester that match their commitments. Analyzing how time is currently spent and ensuring it aligns with goals can help students manage their time better. Stress is also common and managing stress through effective time management, eliminating stressors, exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep can help students succeed even when challenges arise.

1. Time Management
bbyby Margaret H. Protheroy Mar
by Associate Professor Margaret H. Prothero, SBCC

2. Do any of these things happen
to you...?

3. Do any of these things happen
to you...?
ed
come to class late
so
ask to leave class early
lv
re
miss class for reasons other than being ill
be
turn assignments in late
ld yo ur
ou of
do not turn assignments in at all
e c se
es ru
panic before midterms and finals
th tte
start an assignment the night before it’s due
be IM E
come to class unprepared
w it h e:T T!
frantically complete homework right before class, or during class
im t EN
have unpaid parking tickets or bills
EM
get easily distracted when trying to accomplish tasks
AG
drop a class because you are too far behind to catch up
AN
take on too much to do during a semester
M
prioritize social events over getting work done
do the work for one class, but not for another
don’t know how you’re doing in a class
not sure what your assignments are, or when they’re due

5. Are your goals realistic?
Often, SBCC students set very high goals for themselves:
full class load, job, sports, social life, family responsibilities...
It may not be possible to do it all during the 16 week semester
What are your most important goals for the semester?
(And, what are you willing to give up for the time being?...)
Are you prepared to make choices that match your goals?

6. Using your goals to help you
make decisions:

7. Using your goals to help you
make decisions:
Let’s say this is a student’s
CHOICES:
number one goal:
“do well in school to transfer see a late movie get a good
into the nursing program” with friends night’s sleep
work on an
Which choices will help this go to a party
essay
student meet this goal and
go to instructor’s office
struggle through
which choices will keep the confusing assignment
hours or arrange to
work with a tutor
student from meeting this
clean the read textbook
goal? kitchen assignment

8. Assignment One:
DO THIS NOW:
go to the following website
Goals/Objectives Worksheet
and fill out the form on
“goals and priorities.”
Make a printout of your
completed work to turn in
at our next class.
(click on the purple link to the right
to go to the website, then return here.
You may need to click to begin again)

9. Procrastination:

10. Procrastination: Listen to this poem on procrastination by Shel Silverstein.
Procrastination is putting something off or delaying something
until the last minute.
Examples: waiting until the night before to write a paper, “cramming” for an exam, having late fees from not paying your
bills on time, having a warrant out for your arrest from unpaid parking tickets...
Some possible causes or reasons for why we procrastinate:
1. perfectionism (wanting everything to be perfect)
wanting it to be so good that the tasks becomes overwhelming and scary
2. fear of failure
think about it: if you want until the last minute to write a paper, and you get a “C-” on it, you can always blame it on
that your wrote it at 3am. But, if you really work your hardest on it, and still get a “C-” you have to come face to face
with your true level of ability. In order to avoid knowing just how good or bad we are at something, we procrastinate so
as never to feel like a “failure.”
Which one of these is the reason why
3. disliking the task
just don’t want to do it she wouldn’t take the garbage out?...
3. disliking the task

11. Analyzing your time:

12. Analyzing your time:
How you spend your time should reflect what your goals and
priorities are.
For instance, if your goal is to become a champion swimmer, a majority of your time in
your schedule should be filled with practice time, gym time, etc.
Do the worksheets on “24 hours in a Day” and “The Week”
to see where your time goes. Does it reflect your priorities
and goals, or do you need to adjust how you’re spending
your time? Remember to print out your completed pages and turn
them in at our next class to receive credit for this assignment.

13. Managing your Life:

14. Managing your Life:
When people imagine the semester, they are usually very
positive about how it will go, “It will be great!”
However, things go wrong in life. You might get sick. Something may go
wrong at work. Your roommate may decide to go home to Canada. You could
even need stitches in your thumb (happened to me last semester!)
The point is, what will you do when things go wrong?
How will you be okay and get through the semester when
things go wrong? What’s your “backup” plan?
How will you handle the STRESS and fatigue when things get
hard and really difficult? What’s your plan for reducing stress?

15. Managing your Stress:

16. Managing your Stress:
Stress can become a serious condition that can result in many
various health symptoms. Here are some ways to manage
your stress, when things get really hard during the semester:
manage your time effectively, so you can feel in control and not get too
overwhelmed with work
eliminate stressors whenever possible
review your accomplishments - see how far you’ve come
get advice or help from knowledgeable people
get physical exercise, which relieves tension and helps relaxation
eat nutritious meals (it’s tempting to eat what’s easy, but good food will help you
concentrate and will help you feel better, too.)
get enough sleep

17. the end.