Managing your time
Module 3: Managing your time
You may have a sense of how you spend your time but how do you really spend it? Keeping an activity log every now and again is a good way to measure:
- Timewasting
- Time spent on proactive tasks
- Time spent on reactive tasks.
Identifying how you spend your time will help you to focus on which skills you need to develop.
Consider this log, which lists the time a student might spend on different activities throughout the day.
Identify which problems/solutions the log above suggests. Enter your notes into the space provided, then click for feedback.
How could the student use her time more effectively?
The student could minimise her travel. For example, she could plan routes where tasks could be combined, like having her study group meeting in or nearer to the library. She could take her lunch with her or buy it on her way rather than having to go out and get it. She could consider starting the laundry cycle while she carries on studying nearby before collecting it when it is finished. She could save more than an hour a day.
For an activity log to be accurate and useful, note down everything from coffee breaks to checking emails.
Categorising activities as reactive or proactive will give you a better understanding of how much of your time should be timetabled in advance. If you spend about 25% of your day dealing with reactive tasks (things that just happen, such as dealing with unexpected emails) then you need to be careful not to schedule more than 75% proactive tasks (planned events, such as meetings with your supervisor) for the day.
Think about how you actually spend your time: make a list of your thoughts in the space provided.
What time-management issues do you think keeping an activity log will highlight?
What changes can you make to address the issues you have identified?
While you are keeping an activity log you may find that you start to modify your behaviour. For example, you may decide not to take a break because glancing at your log shows that you have already taken two breaks.
As with an energy-level chart, an activity log will provide you with insights so you can manage your time effectively and tailor your personal management strategies. To find out exactly how you spend your time, complete the activity log in the pod on the right-hand side of the screen.