As a student, time management is very important: it helps you to achieve good grades and learn more efficiently. It also helps balance school with your personal life. And finding this balance can have a positive impact on your overall mental well-being. Time management helps you to prioritize the most important tasks and accomplish them successfully and on time. Also, managing your time the right way lowers the stress and anxiety that come with multiple deadlines, projects and exams.

Time Management Self-Reflection

  • I study best when…

 

  • What environment do you study best in? Do you prefer different environments for different activities (for example reading at the library but writing at a coffee shop)?

 

  • I am most distracted by…

 

  • Things that help me focus include….

 

  • The time of day that I work best is..

 

  • A good amount of time for me to work before taking a break is…

 

  • Does the amount of time change based on activity (reading vs studying vs an assignment)?

 

Reflecting on my answers, things that might work for me are…

1.

 

2.

 

3.

BIG PICTURE MAPPING

BIG PICTURE MAPPING

For each semester map out the next four months:

  • DEADLINES: Find all the critical deadlines from each course outline (assignments, tests, presentations, etc) and add them to the Big Picture calendar.

 

  • IMPORTANT DATES: Write down important university dates – start/end of classes, final exam period, course add/drop deadlines, etc.

 

  • KEEP IT SIMPLE: Include just the key information – consider using an agenda/day planner for day-to-day task lists and assignment/test details.

 

  • FREE TIME: Highlight times when there are no classes: e.g., Holidays, Reading Week, Winter Break, etc., seeing that a small break is coming may help with motivation to complete current tasks.

 

  • FUN TIME: Write down important personal events that are happening during the semester, especially enjoyable activities that are part of your self-care.

 

  • IN PLAIN SIGHT: Keep the Big Picture calendar in a place where you can see it and refer to it easily (such as a wall in your home study space).

Also consider:

  • COLOUR-CODING: having each course a different colour, creating an additional visual cue.

 

  • VALUES: including the value (% towards final grade) for each assignment/test/etc. can help with prioritizing tasks when there are multiple things due.

 

  • DONE: cross/check off days/assignments when completed, this shows your progress (and it is very satisfying to cross something off our task lists!).

Resources

BIG PICTURE MAPPING Handout