Time management
Strategies
It is important to have useful strategies for developing a realistic assessment of how much time we can spend on research. There are two areas that we might need to think about in terms of time-use planning:
1. Finding time to do our research in relation to the rest of our lives
Doing research is a time consuming process, and it can be difficult to complete a research degree if study has to be combined with paid work and family responsibilities. Finding the right balance between study, work, family and life is a dilemma that research degree students often face. However having a sense of control over our time can help us to become more focused and enthusiastic about doing the research. Being as specific as possible, work out:
- What kind of responsibilities and activities require our time on a regular basis and make a list (PDF 7kb - download Adobe Acrobat) with an estimation of how much time is required for each.
- A yearly plan using a yearly planner (often in the back/front of diaries) to block out the times that will not be available for research (family vacations, work commitments etc).
- A weekly plan using a weekly planner to map out the time allocation for study, work etc based on the list. Sometimes it will be necessary to do some time planning each week, especially:
- if our commitments are irregular
- when first starting the research degree to helps develop a study routine
- during those times throughout the degree when we feel time-poor and cannot work out where it is going.
- Whether there are activities that can be performed more efficiently in terms of time-use.
- The level of study – part-time or full-time – for the amount of time we have available and ensure that we are enrolled appropriately.
2. Developing a time-frame for different aspects of our research
The first attempt at this will probably be in the research proposal, however it is an activity that is worth doing on a regular basis to ensure that we are meeting the necessary deadlines to complete on time. The strategies are similar to those outline above, but applied directly to the research process. The major difference is that – because of the limited time-frame – it is usual to work backwards. Once again, be as specific as possible and work out:
- A list of all of the components of the research process, including the planning and conducting of the research, thesis writing and publications.
- A ‘whole of candidature’ (PDF 15kb- download Adobe Acrobat) plan, broken down into three-monthly sections. This provides a useful overview of the main deadlines. Use a three-year plan for full-time Doctorate study (two years for Masters) or a six-year plan for part-time study (four years for Masters).
- A yearly plan using the yearly planner. Develop realistic aims for each month. Keep in mind those times that have been blocked out for other commitments and remember to schedule in some ‘down-time’ – it is unrealistic to think that it is possible to work all the time.
- A weekly plan using the weekly planner and task-scheduler (PDF 8kb- download Adobe Acrobat). Bearing in mind the amount of time available for study, what are the tasks that need to be achieved for the week? These can be incorporated into a research journal as a week-by-week record of the research process.
Variations to Candidature
It is important to be realistic about the amount of time that is available for research. A full-time student is expected to spend a minimum of 35 hours per week on their research. Time management is therefore closely linked to the management of our candidature and it may be necessary to:
- Change study load from full-time to part-time or vice-versa
- Apply for sick or maternity leave (it is not necessary to apply for holiday leave – there is a 20 day entitlement per year)
- Apply for a leave of absence if we require an extended period of time away from the research. Up to 12 months can be taken per candidature
- Apply for candidature or scholarship extension.
Advanced Time Management
If time is still not under control after trying out these strategies, then it might be worth either visiting a Learning Adviser or buying one of the many books and videos available on the topic (although the quality of these varies widely). These might help in gaining further insights into:
- Your personal relationship to time (how do you construct time in your everyday life)
- How to use time really effectively – when is the best time for doing specific tasks, for thinking, for concentrating etc?