Study Skills - Time Management

 
GOALS
 
There are four important characteristics of successful goals:


1.  They must be attainable.
     Good example: "Getting at least a B on my next test."
     Bad example: "Growing 6 inches by next week."

2.  They must have a realistic time frame.
     Good example: "Write my 10 page paper by next week."
     Bad example: "Write my 10 page paper by noon today."

3.  They must be specific.
     Good example: "Get at least a 3.0 this quarter."
     Bad example: "Bring my grades up."

4.  They must be something you really want and will work for.
     Good example: "Getting into the major you have always wanted."
     Bad example: "Getting into the major your parents wanted, but you don't care about."

There are three different types of goals:


1.  Short range: "Finishing my paper by Sunday night."
2.  Mid range: "Getting at least a 3.0 this quarter."
3.  Long range: "Graduating in four years."

Periodically, it is a good idea to examine and re-evaluate your goals to make sure that they still fit and are what you want. Goals are valuable tools, even if the results are not what you had intended. Goals help you identify what you want and go after it, which is beneficial in itself.

Priorities:
Priorities are simply those things that are most important to you. They differ from person to person, and range from academic, to social, to sports, to work. The important thing is that you know what they are, and you use your time and resources accordingly. Think of it this way: if someone followed you around for a week they should be able to tell what your priorities are. So, if academics is your top priority, yet you only spend 5 or 6 hours a week studying, perhaps you should re-examine either your priorities or how you spend your time.

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