Good time management enables good study.
Study can feel as if it's taking over your life, especially if you're also busy with work or family. These next three pages describe some simple ways to not feel overwhelmed.
Good time management will only help if you haven't overcommitted yourself.
When you decide to study, start by working out how much time you can realistically give it.
Look at what's already happening in your life, especially in the areas shown below, and decide how much time is available for study.
| work/volunteering | family | recreation and hobbies | other responsibilities |
If you've done university study before (or are just taking stock midway through), compare your past experience to what's happening now.
If you haven't, talk to other students and Learning Support, and be realistic about how much time it will take.
Generally, you're expected to give about 10 hours/week to each course (e.g. if you're taking three courses, allow 30 hours each week).
In Week 1, you'll receive Course Outlines for each course you're taking. These contain the information you'll need to plan your semester (I'll say "semester" for brevity, but this is equally true for trimester study). Many people like to print it and highlight the most useful parts, including the weekly calendar and list of assessments. You can use that information to map your whole semester.
On this matrix (available from Learning Support's Resources, or you can build your own), put a course at the top of each column - make each a different colour; it's easier to use quickly. Then, in each column, fill in each assessment's type, due date and weight.
This helps you predict when you'll face most - and least - pressure, so you can prepare for it.
But it also helps you avoid pressure.
That's because assessments work in several stages. For example, in an essay, you understand the question, brainstorm, search the library for readings, read critically, take notes, synthesise, develop your argument from your sources, write a first draft, revise it, and submit it when you're happy with what's there. Many assessments (e.g. reports, short answer, realia, research projects) actually give you these stages to work through.
In your semester calendar, you've already marked the assessment's deadline. Now mark in a mini-deadline for each of those stages, based on what you know of your habits and commitments (including other assessments). Be realistic - how long will you really need to brainstorm, do the readings, etc.? Typically, these mini-deadlines might stretch back 3-4 weeks before the final due date.
Then, each Sunday, check across the relevant row to see what you need to do in the coming week.
That way, you can give each stage of each assessment the right amount of care without stressing.