Time Management Tips
Tips for Effective Studying and Time Management
by Jen Grzegorek, M.A.
Make a daily schedule. Include time for classes, studying, and free time. Be realistic. Stick to your schedule as much as possible.
Attend all of your classes. The person teaching the class is usually the same person who makes the exams and does the grading. Plus, by going to class you will learn information that may not be in your textbooks.
Sit near the front of your classes. There will be fewer distractions and chances are you will be able to see and hear better.
Make a "to do" list every evening for the next day. The simple act of making a list each day has been shown to increase productivity.
Prioritize. Do what is most important first, and then move on to what is next important, and so on.
Keep your study area free of clutter. Clutter can be distracting.
Find a suitable study environment. Ideally, the environment should be free of distractions, quiet, and at a place where you can spread out your papers and books. It is best not to study in bed, since you are more likely to become tired and tempted to go to sleep.
Be sure to give yourself study breaks, especially when you are studying for large blocks of time. A good guideline to follow is that you should give yourself a 5 to 10-minute break every hour or so.
Take care of your physical health. Being tired, hungry, or ill can make it difficult to study effectively. Get an adequate amount of sleep and exercise each day.
Reward yourself for good work. Even small rewards can be good motivators.
Take a few minutes to review your notes before each class session. This usually only takes a short amount of time, and it helps to prepare you for the upcoming class.
Put key ideas from each subject on notecards and review these. Using notecards (or "flash cards") is an excellent way to quickly review information and to test your knowledge.
If you learn well in groups, consider forming a study group with your classmates.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. You will find that most instructors are willing to explain something more fully if you do not understand. Chances are that your classmates may have similar questions.
When studying for an exam, imagine the types of questions that might be on the exam and then see if you can answer them. If you cannot, then you probably need to study some more.
Be sure to manage your stress levels. Find out what helps you "de-stress," whether it is exercise, relaxation methods, soothing music, or something else.
If you are having trouble managing stress, anxiety, or personal concerns, consider seeing a counselor. He or she can help you discover what works best for you to manage your stress. A good place to consider going is to is PSU’s CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services).
Most importantly, don’t forget to breathe! College can be a fun and rewarding experience!
