Time management
Time is precious at university. It is also a basic commodity which can be invested. Although everybody begins with the same amount of 24 hours a day, each person will invest their time differently because of their different needs. Braint states that 'effective time management means being in control of your life: no one can tell you how to use your time; only you know what your priorities are and what you want out of life'.
Braint asks you to tick any of the following statements you think apply to you:
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I waste a lot of time
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I haven't got time
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There aren't enough hours in the day
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I'm not an organised sort of person
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I can't meet deadlines
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I don't have time for socialising
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I can't help being late
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I always work best under pressure
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I can't get motivated.
Additionally if you have ticked five of the above you have chosen a passive role and thus have chosen:
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not to set yourself goals
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not to make choices
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not to set priorities in your life
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to be reactive ie to let things happen to you
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to value spontaneity above planning/organisation (which you may see as a threat to the quality of your life).
You are in control
If you have chosen a passive role then use this guide to focus on the changes you can make to turn around such negative thinking. Self talk is powerful - you can talk yourself into success or failure. Make sure you are positive and constructive, and tell yourself you are in control.
Planning your time
The following tools can assist you in planning your time effectively and successfully:
*This file is in Portable Document Format (PDF) which requires the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader. A free copy of Acrobat Reader may be obtained from Adobe. Users who are unable to access information in PDF should contact Chris McKeon, telephone +61 4531 1826 to obtain this information in an alternative format.