When you are going though the initial months in the graduate school, you feel very optimistic about the level of your studies. But later on, you seem to get discouraged and very much burnt out. Graduate Students will always experience that they have plenty of things on their plate but very little time to accomplish them. How are you going to keep your sanity if you are full of course requirements, teaching, researches and the demands of your life?
In order to prevent yourself from burning out and from being drained from your energy, you should do something to manage your time, that is, you will have to record down how you use your time everyday and make a progress report of your goals. It has been said that time is money. Time is one of the most valuable resources that we have. You have to use it wisely. When you lose it, it won't come back again. Make the most of whatever time you have. This is where time management will apply.
Time management do play a vital role for your success in the graduate school. When you use sound time management strategies, it does not mean you will be able to slow down or speed up the time. The success of time management depends on you. It is actually about managing yourself.
Moreover, you will be employing proven time management techniques in order to be organized. If you are not organized, then everything will be in a mess. It is then necessary to put things in order so as to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness. And this can encourage you to be more productive and contented. Time management simply refers to your responsibilities and the choices you make in utilizing your time.
We suggest the following nine time management tips for graduate students.
1. You need to have a calendar and school planner. Put some space where you will record your appointments, lists to do and assignments. Make use of a yearly, monthly, and weekly calendar.
You are required by the graduate school on long term perspective of time. Write a plan at least two years ahead with a yearly calendar which will be divided into months.
2. Allocate time to do planning and organizing. Each day, make it a point to check your calendar, take note of your future assignments, and your lists has to be be continually updated.
3. Divide your tasks and assignments into smaller portions. It makes it more manageable and easier to tackle.
4. You should be able to determine your set of goals and the time needed to achieve them. An example for this is when you determine deadlines which are realistic for every phase of finishing a large assignment such as a term paper.
5. You should classify your tasks according to priority. The big picture should be taken into consideration. You decide which is the most important among your tasks. Which assignments will be due this week? Which assignments are more challenging?
6. You should be adaptable at every moment. Be aware that there will always be distractions and interruptions which will disrupt your daily routine. Allow space for necessary adjustments of your time.
7. You need to know the time when you are very productive. Identify your biological peaks and ebbs. Are you at your best in the morning? Or are you an afternoon person? Schedule your whole day properly. You must reserve the most important task during the time when you are at your best to do things.
8. Don't be afraid to say no to a person if you unable to do it. It is something that you are honest with him. There are occasions wherein you may be given additional courses, responsibilities of job, activities which are outside your schedule. Try to examine carefully how relevant they are to you, before you decide to accept them.
9. The time wasted must be used properly for productive purposes. Are you aware that you spend a lot of time commuting and standing in lines waiting for your turn?
Always bring a pocketbook so as to utilize the time which will be wasted. Take with you a minor assignment which can be done easily. You could also use the time to make some changes in your planner. With the additional number of minutes, you will be able to do more.
