STEP 1: Identify your goals and priorities

• Ask Yourself:
• What career do I wish to pursue?
• What degree do I need to obtain to achieve my career goal?
• How will achieving this goal affect my family or myself?

Analyze How You're Currently Spending Your Time:
How much time each week do I spend...
in class?
studying/homework?
working?
meeting the needs of others?
exercising?
relaxing?
sleeping?
_________?
_________?

STEP 2: Match What You are Doing and with your Priorities

Evaluate your use of time in relation to your priorities. Consider whether or not you are spending quality time on your priorities. For example, if learning is high on your priority list, do you study during your prime energy hours or only after everything else is done for the day?

STEP 3: Follow These 10 Time Managment Tips

1. Keep a "THINGS TO DO" List in priority order: Most people tend to do low-ranking, little things first and never get around to the important tasks.

2. Break major tasks down into small chunks: We often avoid big projects because we have limited time, or we don't know where to begin. Break major projects into small pieces and tackle them one at a time.

3. Eliminate tasks: Carefully evaluate each task and, when possible, eliminate. (Do you REALLY need to wash your car every Saturday?)

4. Delegate or negotiate tasks: Ask yourself "Who else can do this task?" (maybe not as well as you would do it, but acceptably). Ask "What tasks can I trade or share with someone?" Learn to ask for help.

5. Consolidate tasks: Whenever possible do more than one thing at a time-- except thinking!

6. Evaluate your habits: Why do you do routine tasks in a certain way? Are your routines the most efficient? Could you save time by changing your routine actions? Could getting up 15 minutes earlier be helpful?

7. Know and wisely use your prime working times: There really are "morning people" and "night owls" so find out when you're at your best and use those hours wisely.

8. Be prepared to lower your standards: Given the heavy demands on your time, it is doubtful that everything you do can be perfect. Based on your priorities, decide what you want to be "A" quality and what things can be "B" quality.

9. Learn to say "No": There is never time to do everything we want to do, so we must learn to do those things that move us toward our goals and say "no" to those that do not.

10. Be flexible but remain in control: Expect interruptions, as they are bound to occur. If you are doing things in priority order & not leaving big things to the last, you and your schedule will easily survive.