Time Management –

Time Use Chart and Log (Step 1)

OVERVIEW
Time management is not something you do just once and never
worry about again (e.g., creating a schedule). Time managing
is an ongoing process of awareness and control. It is also
closely tied to achieving the goals you have set for yourself. It
is important to understand that the times you spend “doing
nothing,” you are actually doing something — you are avoiding
achieving your goals!

PURPOSE
The following sets of activities are intended to help you
understand and build a realistic schedule and management
system that will allow you to maximize your efforts and overall
potential this semester. Additional time management strategies
are also included.
IT INCLUDES 3 ACTIVITIES:
1 Time Use Chart and Log
2 Ideal Schedule
3 Master Calendar

INSTRUCTIONS
• The first step in creating a schedule that works for you is • After you have stopped logging your information, complete the
to gain a keen awareness of how you are spending your Time Use Chart Columns A, B and C. Pay attention to how your
time. This is similar to people who want to understand how time spent on activities either supports or detracts from your
they spend their money and log their spending over time goals.
before creating a budget. Starting here first is helpful to
• Next, complete an Ideal Schedule and Master Calendar.
truly understand the amount of time you are spending doing
various activities.
• Begin by completing the Daily Time Log sheet. Be as
accurate as possible. If you are taking a shower and getting
ready, hanging out drinking a cup of coffee, or attending
class, be sure to log this information. When you are studying
for particular courses, identify the courses in the log. Carry
this log with you and complete it over the course of the next
week.

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 Time Use Chart and Log
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

6 AM

7 AM

8 AM

9 AM

10 AM

11 AM

12 PM

1 PM

2 PM

3 PM

4 PM

5 PM

6 PM

7 PM

8 PM

9 PM

10 PM

11 PM

12 AM

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 Time Use Chart and Log
Instructions: After finishing the time log, complete Columns A, B & C

A B C
HOW MANY HOURS HOW MANY HOURS HOW MANY HOURS
DID YOU SHOULD YOU WILL YOU

Sleep

Attend class

Study

Eat

Get ready

Commute

Work

Watch TV

Socialize

Internet (News, Pinterest, etc.)

Talk on the phone/text

Chat/email/IM/Instagram/
Social Media/etc.

Play video games

Exercise/workout

Attend sports practice

Commute or travel home

List any others:

TOTAL HOURS

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 Time Management – Ideal Schedule (Step 2)
TIME USE CHART ANALYSIS multiple days during the week. For example, if Chemistry is
Looking at your Time Log for the past week, what do you think your most difficult class, then you should devote the maximum
about the time that you spent studying? Texting? Watching amount of time, 8-9 hours per week outside of class, over
TV? When you blocked and labeled time for other activities — several days during the week (5-6 days per week). It will be
beyond class work — that you are committed to each week, more effective to study in shorter amounts of time over more
did you remember to use the syllabus in your courses to map frequent days than long study sessions over 1-2 days.
your time? Did you block time to do your reading and homework
4 If you have other weekly activities — sports practice, religious
assignment for each class? Did you plan in advance time to go services, clubs, meetings, etc., fill them in, too.
over or recopy your class notes?
5 Review your schedule from last week. What other activities did
• As a rule of thumb, for each 1 hour in class, it is estimated you do every day? Block and label those times and the ones
that students should spend 2-3 hours outside of class when you typically eat, exercise, watch a little TV, and hang out
studying. with your friends. Consider other detractors in your schedule
• Following that rule of thumb on studying, students taking and account for them. If nap time after lunch is necessary to
12-15 credits per semester should plan to study 24-45 hours refresh yourself for the afternoon, then schedule this in as
per week outside of class. a normal part of your routine versus scheduling study time
and then you still take a nap and now you are behind on your
• In other words, to really stay on track in your classes, you
day’s goals and to dos. By knowing yourself and your needs, it
should plan to study roughly 3-6 hours every day of the
allows you to plan for both, as in this example, a nap and still
week.
completing your studying.
6 This revised schedule now more accurately reflects how you
REVISED SCHEDULE — should manage your time between your studies, your work, and
MAKE TIME WORK FOR YOU your personal life. It can be adjusted throughout the semester
On the next three pages, you’ll find some sample student as you need it to. Just don’t forget — you are in control of
schedules. Pay attention to how each example supports the your time. The more you schedule your time, the more time
students’ awareness of goals, strengths and weaknesses. The you have available. Make it work for you!
last page is a blank weekly schedule that breaks your time into
one hour increments from 7am to 12am daily. Fill it in using the
following guidelines:
1 Block and label the hours, Monday-Friday that you have
scheduled classes.
2 Block and label the hours, Monday-Sunday that you have
scheduled for any part-time work.
3 Block and label any other times for activities that you are
committed to each week. Don’t forget to include your
study time! Not all of your classes are created equal. Some
will be more difficult, some will be harder to maintain focus,
and some will be personally enjoyable. Consider this as you
decide how much time you should devote to each class and
when. In terms of deep learning and processing, the more
difficult the class, the more time you should invest over

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 Ideal Schedule – Example 1
STUDY PLAN – ENG (4HRS); BIO (8HRS); PSY (5HRS); FYS (3HRS); HIST (4HRS)

POINTS TO NOTICE ABOUT EXAMPLE 1: – This student’s most difficult course is BIO and she either goes
• This student has late starts the majority of mornings (930 or 10). to class or studies BIO 6 days out of 7. Constantly visiting the
• This student is more effective in the evenings and is comfortable material on an almost daily basis is an effective strategy to
with studying at that time; however, she is still done every evening ensure deeper learning.
by 9. – Tutoring is built in as a regular part of her schedule.
• Gym time is a priority and is planned 5 days a week. – This student enjoys her ENG class and so finishes each day
• Friday nights, all day Saturday, and Sundays until 6pm are with this study time. It’s easier for her and so doing it during
completely open. the last part of the day is not a problem. She begins BIO earlier
– This time can be used for social wants or possible job when she is fresher and can maintain concentration better.
commitments. • FLEX time is included which can be used on weeks where
• Planned study time is based on the needs of the courses. BIO is additional study time is needed (e.g., exam weeks). If this time is
the hardest course for this student and so more time is planned. not needed, then she can use it however she likes.

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 Ideal Schedule – Example 2
STUDY PLAN – ENG (4HRS); BIO (8HRS); PSY (5HRS); FYS (3HRS); HIST (4HRS)

POINTS TO NOTICE ABOUT EXAMPLE 2: and PSY are the hardest courses for this student and so more
• This student would rather work during the day than the evenings. time is planned.
She doesn’t mind getting up early. • This student’s most difficult courses are BIO and PSY and she
– This would easily allow for a part-time job or other extra- either goes to class or studies these courses 5 days out of 7.
curricular activities. Constantly visiting the material on an almost daily basis is an
• Gym time is still important and is planned 3 days a week. effective strategy to ensure deeper learning.
• Friday nights, all day Saturday, and Sundays until 6pm are still – Tutoring and study group are built in as a regular part of her
completely open. schedule.
– This time can also be used for social wants or possible job • FLEX time is included which can be used on weeks where
commitments. additional study time is needed (e.g., exam weeks). If this time is
– This time is also available for extra exam preparation if needed. not needed, then she can use it however she likes.
• Planned study time is still based on the needs of the courses. BIO

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 Ideal Schedule – Example 3
GENERIC STUDY TIME EXAMPLE

Ideal Schedule – Example 4

STUDENT ATHLETE – STUDY PLAN – ENG (5HRS); PSY (6HRS); MATH (6HRS); FYS (3HRS)

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Time Management – Your Ideal Schedule (Step 2)
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

6:30-7 AM

7-7:30 AM

7:30-8 AM

8-8:30 AM

8:30-9 AM

9-9:30 AM

9:30-10 AM

10-10:30 AM

10:30-11 AM

11-11:30 AM

11:30 AM-12 PM

12-12:30 PM

12:30-1 PM

1-1:30 PM

1:30-2 PM

2-2:30 PM

2:30-3 PM

3-3:30 PM

3:30-4 PM

4-4:30 PM

4:30-5 PM

5-5:30 PM

5:30-6 PM

6-6:30 PM

6:30-7 PM

7-7:30 PM

7:30-8 PM

8-8:30 PM

8:30-9 PM

9-9:30 PM

9:30-10 PM

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 Time Management –
Master Calendars (Step 3)

One of the differences and major benefits of classes at the

college level versus high school is the availability of your syllabi.
Unlike high school, many of your syllabi will give you a semester
schedule that includes major due dates and exam dates.
Unfortunately, many students do not take advantage of this
information.

The following page include an example “Master Calendar.” Your

own master calendar can easily be created by using any type
of document that allows you to insert a table. This one page
planning tool will help give you an overview of what you are
responsible for. The master calendar is used with your other
planners and/or planning tools. As one page, it allows you to
keep it with you and to see everything quickly. By completing
the master calendar now, it will allow you to do a couple of
things. First, it allows you to do your weekly and daily planning
based on what is coming up without flipping through multiple
course packets and syllabi (and potentially missing something).
Second, it allows you to identify and prevent any surprises. If
you have two papers and two exams in week 11, you can see it
now and plan accordingly. One recommendation is to start each
week (e.g., Sunday evenings) by planning your goals and to-do
lists for the week based on what is coming up on your master
calendar. Then, each evening, plan your next day based on your
weekly plan. Using your calendar will also allow you to break-up
major projects and papers into smaller parts and multiple due
dates. Breaking up efforts into smaller parts promotes greater
focus and higher motivation.

To complete the master calendar, include all important dates

that impact your schedule and planning (e.g., due dates, exams,
vacations, sports commitments, etc.). Some students will use
different colors to highlight different classes. Again, refer to
this calendar as you plan your days and weeks. Last minute
surprises can be a disaster so use your master calendar to plan
ahead — you are in control of your time!

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Time Management – Master Calendars (Step 3)

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 Other Time Management Strategies
Below is a list of potential time management strategies. Now that you have created an ideal schedule and master calendar,
consider the following strategies that will help you make the most of each day. It is likely that you are currently using
some of these strategies; however, there are probably many that you have not tried or considered. Be open to trying new
strategies and creating new and helpful efficiencies!

TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGY NOTES/EXAMPLES

Sleep Long-term lack of sleep can be the equivalent of being
intoxicated
Pack items for the day the night before Avoids forgetting important items and then wasting time
during the day to retrieve needed items
Divide study sessions by types of activities and/or Switching between writing, reading, doing math
subjects problems, etc.
Set study session to dos/goals In the next hour, I will read 10 pages, create 10 flashcards
for vocabulary words, etc.
Use master calendar to plan weekly to dos/ goals
Plan weekly goals/to dos at the beginning of the week
(e.g., Sunday night)
Each night, plan the next day’s to dos/goals based on Adjust as tasks and goals are completed throughout the
weekly goals week
Prioritize to dos and weekly goals based on deadlines and
importance
Set real rewards for achieving weekly goals
Set real consequences/plans of action when not “I won’t do anything else on Saturday morning until
achieving weekly goals weekly goals are complete”
Set-up routines and use your ideal schedule
Adapt schedule, if needed, to be more realistic as you
learn more about yourself and your schedule
Set time for household chores Laundry, shopping, etc.
Using your master calendar, set short-term deadlines for Draft paper due date for end-of-semester research paper
long-term projects
Schedule readings in smaller blocks across the week 100 pages over 5 days, 20 pages per day
rather than sitting down and reading long periods/pages
at a time
Plan smaller study sessions for subjects across the week 1 hour per day over 5 days; 1 hour in the morning and 1
and/or day rather than large blocks hour in the evening
Break large assignments into smaller pieces 10 page paper, 1 page per day

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 Other Time Management Strategies
TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGY NOTES/EXAMPLES
Make tutoring and study groups a normal part of your
weekly schedule/routine
Plan for breaks and mini-rewards throughout the day 45 minute focused study, then 15 minutes Instagram/
texting
Allow for exercise and don’t skip meals
Share your schedule, especially study times, with your
friends and roommates and ask for their support
Study in areas where there are no distractions
Turn-off electronics when studying or sleeping Phone and social media
When eating a frog is on your to-do list, eat the frog first By completing the hardest and/or most boring tasks first,
everything else is easy then
Carry study aids for on the run (e.g., flashcards, graphic
organizers, etc.)
Start with hardest subjects when fully refreshed
Finish with easier more enjoyable subjects when more
tired, less focused
Base your schedule on realistic expectations of your If you are not a morning person, don’t schedule study
periods of focus, distraction, etc. time first thing in the morning
Start assignments once you have all materials and “What is the earliest date I can start?” versus “What is
information you need, rather than starting at the last the last possible date I can start and still get done?”
possible moment
Finish assignments early Allows you to produce your best work by allowing you to
revisit tasks, avoid technical problems, get feedback from
peers and professors, avoid missing opportunities to get
questions answered, etc.
Build social and leisure times into your schedule Allows you to get real breaks and then be fully focused for
work and school tasks
Build in flex time into your schedule Allows for extra time needed during exam weeks without
destroying your routines/schedule
Study time outside of class should be 1-3 hours per credit A 3 credit class = 3 to 9 hours of study time outside of
hour of class class; all classes are not equal, base study time on level
of difficulty
Plan study time to support long-term information Reduces stress and allows for efficient studying versus
processing, not just completing assignments and/or cramming (i.e., you are always preparing for an exam)
studying for a exam
Create test plans Plan studying and tasks over the course of weeks, plan
specifics (e.g., amount of study time and tasks) during
exam weeks

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