Time/workload management
Managing your time and workload can be challenging for all students at times, especially if you have not studied at university before or are juggling competing demands. Regardless of whether you are studying part time or full time, on campus or off, managing your time effectively is important to your overall success as s student.
This guide offers some practical suggestions to help you manage your time and workload.
How much time do you need to spend on each course?
Each course at the UniSA is allocated a particular number of units and the workload is designed around this. For example, a course worth 4.5 units will require a study commitment of approximately 10-11 hours a week of student work, including contact and non-contact time. So, if your course has 3 contact hours then you may be expected to study up to an extra 8 hours on that course per week. Being a full time student is similar to being in full time work. The workload requires you to make a big time and energy commitment to your studies.
Tools to help you plan
The following tools will enable you to plan across an entire study period or on a hourly/weekly basis.
The Study Period Planner
One of this most effective ways to help you study successfully is to keep on track of when all your assessment tasks are due. This gives you a realistic overview of the study period and helps you to plan ahead. An easy way to map all your commitments over the study period is to use a half yearly or study period planner. You should mark in:
- the due dates for all your assessment tasks, including the value of each one toward the final grade and the word limit (colour coding each course can be helpful )
- any major social or work activities that may take up a day or more
Next and most importantly put your planner in a visible place, so you are regularly reminded of what is coming up.
The Weekly Planner
Once you know how much time is needed for each of your courses, you'll need to find the best way to fit this together with your other activities. Using a weekly planner is a good way to help you get a realistic view of your commitments throughout the week.
When using a weekly planner, mark in all regular weekly activities including:
- university commitments (lectures, tutorials, practicals, studio)
- work commitments
- sporting activities (training, games, gym)
- social and family commitments
- meals
- household chores
- travel to and from any of the above
Remember to allow for some unscheduled time. This gives you a chance to swap commitments or to accommodate unforeseen events which might occur. You might also consider identifying times when study will have the highest priority for you and let your family and friends know that you are not available at these times.
Next see where you can fit in the hours required for your non-contact study time for each course. Remember your program needs to be realistic for it to work. You may like to consider factors such as:
- how do you work best—in short bursts or over a long stretch of time?
- do you study better in the morning or late at night?
- do you need a quiet place to study?
- can you study at home or do you need to travel to the library?
Many students find this exercise surprising as it gives them a totally different view of what commitments they have and how busy their days really are. It also gives them a chance to set up some goals to complete the study period successfully.
In conclusion
Time management is a complex skill. When planning time to study, remember to work towards a balance between your study and other commitments. Also remember to put your planner/s in a place where you will see it/them regularly. If you do not have enough hours in the day to do what you need to do you should review your weekly planner by considering the following:
- Are you expecting too much of yourself
- Have you over-committed yourself
- You may need to reduce, postpone or give up an activity to re-allocate this time to study
If you require further assistance, please make an
appointment with a counsellor in the Learning and Teaching Unit on
your campus.
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