1. Goal Setting and Time Management Jennifer ZimmermanAssistant DirectorAcademic Resource CenterMercer Universityhttp://faculty.mercer.edu

2. Time Management Questionnaire One of the greatest factors contributing to stress is our inability to manage time. Conversely, good time management skills allow us to organize our lives and be more productive, both at work and at home. The following quiz will help identify trouble spots and guide us toward the goal of becoming successful time managers. A scoring key at the end will indicate how far you need to go. 1 -Always  2 - Usually  3 - Sometimes  4 - Never 1. I find that I have enough time for myself - to do the things I enjoy doing. _____ 2. I'm aware of deadline and schedule my work to meet them in time. _____ 3. I write down specific objectives in order to work toward goals. _____ 4. I use a calendar to write down appointments, deadlines, and things to do. _____ 5. I feel in control of time while at work and at home. _____ 6. I plan and schedule my time on a weekly and/or monthly basis. _____ 7. I make a daily to-do list and refer to it several times per day. _____ 8. I set priorities in order of importance and then schedule time around them. _____ 9. I'm able to find time when I need it in case something important comes up. _____10. I'm able to say no when I'm pressed for time. _____11. I try to delegate responsibility to others in order to make more time for myself. _____12. I organize my desk and work area to prevent clutter and confusion. _____ http://www.healthnewsnet.com/time.html courtesy of Health News Network © 1998-2000 Health News Network

3. Time Management Questionnaire (cont’d) 13. I find it easy to eliminate or reschedule low priority items. _____14. I try to do things in a way that cuts down on duplicated effort. _____15. I find that doing everything myself is very inefficient. _____16. I try to shift priorities as soon as they change. _____17. I find it easy to identify sources of time problems. _____18. I find it easy to eliminate or reshuffle unnecessary paperwork. _____19. My meetings and activities are well organized and efficient. _____20. I know what I'm capable of and try not to overextend myself. _____21. I find it easy to keep up with changes that affect my schedule or workload. _____22. I try to schedule the most difficult work during my most productive times. _____23. I know what my responsibilities and duties are at all times. _____24. I try to get only the pertinent information before making a final decision. _____25. I finish one job or task before going on to the next. _____ Scoring key:25 - 40 = Excellent time manager41 - 55 = Good time manager56 - 100= Poor time manager http://www.healthnewsnet.com/time.html courtesy of Health News Network © 1998-2000 Health News Network

5. Develop daily, weekly, or monthly schedules

6. Delegate responsibility

7. Say no

8. Write down objectives in order to meet deadlines

9. Use a calendar or notebook to organize commitments

10. Shift priorities to make room for more urgent matters or tasks

11. Reduce clutter and/or unnecessary paperwork

12. Give up total control

13. Avoid procrastinationhttp://www.healthnewsnet.com/time.html courtesy of Health News Network © 1998-2000 Health News Network

14. Goal Plan Action! Make it large, ambitious, and specific . . . then write it down. . . . then draw yourself a detailed roadmap. Seek practical advice, make a Use your confidence, self-discipline, and a sense of urgency to put your plan into Pauk, p. 15

15. Prioritize Your Goals and Activities A, B, C Method List all your goals Rate each goal A – High Value B – Medium Value C – Low Value Plan A activities designed to accomplish A goals Pareto Principle Or the 80/20 Rule List all A activities in order of importance Accomplish top 2 of 10 Result – 80% Success Rate! Focusing on top 20% of your “to do” list will get you 80% of the way to your goal Pauk, p. 43

17. Include all activities: sleeping, eating, working, socializing, studying, etc.

18. Jot down how you feel and highlight times when you study most efficiently

19. Accurately record your activities for a 2-week period

20. Calculate how much time you spend in class and studying, and calculate how much uncommitted time you have each weekhttp://www.tld.jcu.edu.au/netshare/learn/git/activitylog.html

24. The defining edge of what it means to be a master student

26. Treat your college career like a 40-hour-a-week full-time job

27. Review every class at least once every 24 hours

28. Schedule a weekly “where am I” review for every course

30. Monthly

31. Weekly

32. Daily

34. Reliable

36. Utilize time that otherwise is lost

37. Think ahead so you have tools and resources making it possible to enjoy your “Swiss Cheese Moments”http://www.gradresources.org/articles/time_management.shtml

38. Make Your Schedule Work – Part II Quit Procrastinating The Seven-Day Antiprocrastination Plan Monday – Make it Meaningful Tuesday – Take it Apart Wednesday – Write an Intention Statement Thursday – Tell Everyone Friday – Find a Reward Saturday – Settle it Now Sunday – Say No! Ellis, p. 65

40. Give yourself a pep talk

41. Make a promise to someone else

42. Build in rewards

44. Do less – make a list of what NOT to do

45. Slow down – don’t operate on “launch” all day

46. Remember people

47. Focus on outcomes

48. Handle it now

49. Buy less

50. Take time out to forget about time

51. ExperimentEllis, p. 54-55

52. Ellis, Dave, Becoming a Master Student. 8th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998. Nist, Sherrie L. and Jodi Patrick Holschuh, Active Learning: Strategies for College Success. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon, 2000. Pauk, Walter, How to Study in College. 7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001.

53. The End