Centre for academic development services

Study Skills Programme

1. Organising your Time | 2. Study Skills Techniques | 3. Revision & Exams | 4. Useful Videos |
5. Books on Study Skills

By the end of the session, you will be able to :

• plan your academic work in your year planner
• implement your study programme efficiently
• use your study diary effectively

ORGANIZING YOUR TIME

TIME MANAGEMENT

Time management is not only concerned with allocating activities into available time, but is also instrumental in assisting to ensure that objectives are met.

Setting objectives

The acronym smart, spells out the principles involved in setting objectives. Objectives should be:

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FOUR ASPECTS IN TIME MANAGEMENT

There are four aspects to consider when managing time, namely, planning, implementation, monitoring and control, as well as communicating and dealing with people.

Any progress with time management needs a written plan that must be reviewed and updated regularly. The plan should reflect accurately and completely the work plan for the immediate future and give an idea of what lies ahead.

Planning

The year planner

The first step to consider when organizing your study activities is to find out the dates when written work is due ( assignments) and when you will be writing tests and examinations. Fill these in on a year planner as you are told about them. Put this up where you can see it! You will now be able to see at a glance exactly what work is due on which date. A typical year-planner may look like the one attached.

By looking at your year-planner you will be able to see where your workload is heavy. Spread your workload by preparing for ‘heavy’ weeks well in advance.

The Study Programme/ Study time-table

To prepare for assignments and learning for tests, you will need to draw up a study programme.

Some hints

• Be flexible with your study programme at the beginning of the year.
• As you get used to the work, you will be able to judge better the amount of time you need for different tasks
• Stick to your study programme
• Be realistic about the amount of work you can do in a day

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HOW TO DRAW UP A STUDY TIMETABLE

• Draw up a 7 day week
• Fill in the time you need to spend at university.
• Fill in your other activities - such as sport, social activities and part-time work.
• Work out how much time you need for homework, projects, etc.

• Homework must be done first
• Find out when you will be writing tests and exams. This will show you when you have to concentrate on your study time and work HARDER.
• Fill in your study time.
• You will be able to see at a glance when you will have free time. It's important to allow yourself time for sport, and leisure.
• Don't make your study timetable too difficult for you to cope with. If it is too difficult you won't be able to stick to it.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses.
• Make your goals easy to achieve, so that they are within your reach.
• Make sure that you have allowed yourself enough time for relaxation. You must also allow time for relaxation and socialising.
• If you work consistently then you won't need to cram or panic. You won't have to "spot" or make excuses and be sorry. This is a challenging and exciting time in your life.

Be responsible - the rewards are great…
Remember - Success is the best self-image builder.
Time-table; time-table; time-table!

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TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX

Implementation

Your plan, in your year planner, study programme and study diary should be put into ACTION.

Monitoring and control

Check what you DO as planned in your year planner, study programme and study diary to ensure desired results.

Communicating and dealing with people

To obtain desired results, communicate with your fellow students, lecturers, mentors, tutors and facilitators. Other alternative methods include forming ‘study buddies’ and/or study groups.

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EXERCISE ONE

• Indicate project dates and test dates in your year planner
• Draw up a study programme
• Prioritize your daily activities in your study diary
• Make a list of people you would like to contact during the implementation of your study programme