Time Management

Follow these 4 guides to better time management.

Analyze the demands on your time.
- Chart your work time, school time, study time, and family/social time.
Determine the minimum number of hours you should study.

Study 2 hours per week for every credit hour.
If you’re enrolled in 6 credit hours, study a minimum of 12 hours per week.

Plot your study time and other time obligations on a weekly schedule.

Study in blocks of 50 minutes or less.
Decide what you’ll study during each period.

Use daily "To Do" lists.

Organizing a Study Schedule

Can you find 6-12 hours for each of your courses?

	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN
7-8
8-9
9-10
10-11
11-12
12-1
1-2
2-3
3-4
4-5
5-6
6-7
7-8
8-9
9-10
10-11
11-12

Study Techniques

Do You Have Trouble Remembering What You Read?

Students often complain that they can’t remember what they read when they read a textbook. These same students state they have no problem remembering when they read for pleasure. The problem is, students are tested on their textbook reading and not on their pleasure reading!

The solution to this problem is to learn to study read. Study reading, when done correctly and consistently, improves comprehension.

SQ3R is a method of textbook study reading. Review the handout on SQ3R and always apply it when you read your textbooks. You’ll be surprised at how much you remember!

SQ3R: A Textbook Study Technique

S	Survey Look over the title, subtitles, introduction, graphics, bold-faced and italicized print, summary, and questions at the end of the chapter.
Q	Question Turn the subtitle into a question. The question will give a purpose for reading the section of material.
R	Read Read the material included under the subtitle. Read to answer the question made from the subtitle.
R	Recite and Write Recite (out loud) the answer to the question which was made from the subtitle. Recite other important information given in the subsection. Recite the information using your own words. Write Notes. Repeat Q,R,R for each subsection of the reading assignment.
R	Review Review your notes. Answer questions at the end of the chapter. Review notes regularly—every day or two.

Notes: A Student’s Best Friend

A good set of notes that are correctly studied are a student’s most valuable study tool.

Following are 10 hints for good note taking. (Adopted from How to Study in College by Walter Pauk)

Use the Cornell Notetaking System to ensure useful, practical and meaningful notes. (See Cornell Notes below)
Record information selectively; focus on key ideas. Write in phrases rather than sentences.
Use abbreviations and symbols.
Discover the instructor’s organizational style.
Watch for signal words and phrases a instructor uses.
Record the instructor’s examples. Don’t consider any example too obvious.
Skip lines; leave 2 or 3 lines between main ideas.
Write only on one side of the paper.
Organize your notes in a three ring binder.

Review your notes the day you took the notes. Fill in the Recall Column at this time and determine what the central point of the lecture was.

Cornell Notes

(Recall Column)	(Notes Section)
Definition	Method of organizing noted to make them a useful study tool.
Supplies Needed	3-ring binder Lecture notes written on the back side of the paper Reading notes taken on the front side of the paper Three ring binder allows handouts to be inserted next to their topic.
Cornell Format	Draw vertical line 2 ½ " – 3" from the left side of the paper Known as the Recall Column Considered indexing of notes Made up of key word or phrases or questions to describe, explain the notes immediately to the right. Usually completed after the lecture when reviewing the notes. Record notes to right of Recall Column 2 ½ " – 3"
Summary Box	Used at the bottom of each page Summarizes the material on the page Helps organize the material within your notebook
Review Notes	Review notes before the end of the day. Add any points missed Rewrite illegible words Review prior to the next class meeting Review all notes from the week at the end of the week Repetition begins the learning process
Study Tool	Use your notes as a study tool Cover the notes section Use the Recall Column to quiz yourself on the material.

How Long Before a Test Should I Start Studying For Is?

The first day you view the videos!!

Yes, the best time to begin preparing for a test is the first day of class. Make a study plan, organize yourself and stay on top of your work. This will not only make you ready for the test but will also help reduce test anxiety.

Remember SCORER and be smart when taking tests.

S = Schedule your time

Consider the exam as a whole.
Estimate time to complete each section.

C = Clue your time

Consider the exam as a whole.
Estimate time to complete each section.

O = Omit the difficult questions

Move rapidly through the test.
Answer the essay questions first. Keep moving!
Omit the difficult ones on the first pass through the test.
Return to the difficult questions later. Watch your time!

R = Read carefully

Know what the questions are asking.
Note any qualifier words or negative words.

E = Estimate your answers

On problem solving or calculations problems, estimate in what "ball park" the correct answer will be.
As a last resort on remaining problems, guesstimate – (take your best guess).

R = Review your work

Don’t be too eager to change answers.
Be certain you have considered all questions.
Proofread your work.
PRINT your name on the test and any additional sheets.