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Category: Time Management

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In order to maintain a healthy school-life balance one must prioritize, self-reflect, and manage time effectively. 

Prioritization is the act of ranking activities or tasks by importance and urgency. This is an important skill to have because it allows you to allocate enough time and effort to complete your tasks. For example: if you prioritize tasks that are due soon instead of those that are due later, you will be able to meet your most pressing deadlines. 

Self-reflection helps individuals recognize what is important to them, how they work best, and what their goals are. Using this information, you can make sure to incorporate the things you enjoy into your day while also scheduling the things you need to do for school or for other commitments. By reflecting on what matters to you, you can make sure your days align with your priorities, and are planned with your goals and work habits in mind. 

Time management skills will help you balance personal and academic priorities using tools such as a Priority Matrix. Being organized, designating time in the day for planning purposes, using a to-do list, and focusing on one task at a time can help you become more effective at doing so. 

To become better at prioritization, self-reflection, and time management, please visit the resources linked at the bottom of the page and read on below for the perspectives of students who have been able to successfully maintain balance.  

Tanaka (‘25) is a student and talented musician here at Dartmouth. In order to keep up with her school work, extracurriculars, and social commitments, she schedules her weeks to optimize balance. On the weekdays, she suggests being as productive as possible so that on the weekend, you can have the chance to relax. Tanaka likes to set Saturday as a “no-work” day so she can go outside, spend time with friends, and have fun. As a result of her time-management skills, she is able to enjoy this relaxing day and be refreshed for the week ahead. 

WISP participants Abby (‘25) and Eunice (‘25) conduct medical research on top of their classes. Eunice finds taking intentional breaks important for mental well-being and productivity. She says that “if you feel your mind closing down [after a day of studying], it’s best to close down for the night.” Abby notes that even though it is tempting to reschedule your plans to align with those of your friends, it is important to find a schedule that works for you because what is best for others might not be what's best for you. 

Robert Orben once said “Time flies. It’s up to you to be the navigator.” With time management skills, a deep understanding of what’s important to you, and self-reflection, you will be able to navigate your Dartmouth experience with greater ease and purpose. 

Resources:

The E-Guide: “Academic Success at Dartmouth”

Time Management Tips | Academic Skills Center (dartmouth.edu)

Making a Schedule | Academic Skills Center (dartmouth.edu)

Planners and Outlines | Academic Skills Center (dartmouth.edu)

Online Calendars | Academic Skills Center (dartmouth.edu)

Academic Success Coaching | Academic Skills Center (dartmouth.edu)

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Today’s blog post will highlight videos created by the Academic Skills Center that can guide you toward being the most productive student you can be. 

Reading Improvement

This video covers how to prepare to read by picking the best time of day and place to read, how to improve your reading rate, and strategies to improve reading comprehension. (Tip: Skip to 1:00 for the informational part of the video). 

 

Notetaking

This video covers how to get the most out of your lectures. If you actively learn in class and review immediately after class, you’ll have better mastery of the material and will save time studying outside of class!

 

Improving Memory and Retention

This video emphasizes the importance of review. Review can increase your productivity because spending small chunks of time consistently reviewing will consolidate your memory of a topic. This will prevent cramming, so you won’t have to sit down for hours and hours to study the day before an exam.

 

Time Management

The ultimate productivity tool is time management. This video will give you tips on how to best utilize your term calendar and your weekly schedule. The video explains how planners allow you to find your free time, and how you can maximize your productivity in short breaks. Lastly, the video covers goal-setting. It is always easier to find the will to be productive when you know what you’re working toward! 

 

  

 

Sleep

This video is less tip-oriented than the rest, but it acknowledges that sleep improves memory retention. If you better absorb the material, you’ll spend less time rereading and learning material because you’ll have better focus while you study! Long story short, please take care of yourself because it will pay off in the long-run!

 

Chemistry

This video covers strategies to do well in general chemistry. However, you can take these strategies and apply them to most classes, especially ones with labs.

 

Studying Foreign Language

This student-made video offers tips on how to maximize your language learning experience at Dartmouth! It has great, Dartmouth-specific tips for mastering language (however, it’s worth noting that the Tutor Clearinghouse has discontinued the Conversation Partner program).

 

As an added bonus to watching these productivity-inspiring videos, you’ll get to see the old fashion and hairstyles of Dartmouth students, way back in the day! Happy watching!

 

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In light of the current pandemic, a lot of people are moving, changing their schedules, and modifying their workstyles. Students are no exception: some of them moved back home and others live off-campus with friends. Accessing a physical space in the library and studying in an indoor public area might be difficult for lots of students. Below are some tips on how to build a personal study place:

 

1. Find a spot where you feel comfortable and productive

Everyone has different study habits and works well in distinct environments. The first step is to search for a space where you are able to focus with minimal interruptions and feel comfortable (but not too comfortable!). This place can be the table in your garden, a desk in your bedroom, home office, and so on. Be creative and don’t limit yourself to what seems like a conventional working space. Then, designate the spot mainly for work and study. In this way, you are able to train your body and mind to quickly get into work mode and focus more efficiently. 

 

2. Organize your study place 

The fastest way to keep your study spot tidy is to first remove things that will distract you. I know it is hard but being honest with yourself is the key! Have you ever had the experience of looking for supplies such as a pencil, calculator, or stapler while you are in the middle of studying and need to interrupt your studying to look for the materials? You don’t need a fancy pen holder to solve this problem. A washed jar, can, or even toilet paper rolls (just need to attach a piece of paper underneath) can do the job of keeping all your office supplies in one place, so you don’t have to spend unnecessary time finding them. 

3. Prepare a planner or calendar

Remember to have a planner or calendar with you during your study. It helps to organize your study session and prioritize what needs to be done. Some people like to write everything down in a planner or calendar; others prefer to keep track of the due dates of assignments and tests and study plans in a digital calendar. There isn't a correct or single way of doing this. It all depends on what works best for you.

 

4. Decorate the place to make it personal

You will be spending a significant amount of time in your study spot; thus, it is crucial that you like the place and enjoy being there. You may want to put some small plants, paintings, etc. in your workspace to bring some liveliness to the room. Remember these items should not be distracting or occupy a huge space.

 

5. Add some inspiration

Lastly, think about what motivates you! It can be your goals, past achievements, proudest moment, a quote, or a picture of where you want to be in the future. I know studying can be tiring and you may lose track of your purpose. Writing these things down and sticking them on walls that are visible would help clarify your goals and keep you motivated during your study time!

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Life is pretty crazy right now. That should go without saying, but it’s important to acknowledge that fact. It’ll make it easier to move forward into what this spring term will hold. I’m sure many of you have a lot of questions and even some concerns about what exactly the next few months will look like for you both socially and academically.

The Academic Skills Center & The Tutor Clearinghouse is working hard to figure out how we are going to support students this spring term. Specifics like the potential for tutoring services, study groups, ASC workshops/meetings, and details about accessing our office/resources are all currently being discussed. In the meantime, we thought it would be beneficial to share some tips on how you can best tackle your upcoming online classes in order to enhance your understanding and overall academic success. 

 

Tip #1: Try to Create a Study Space

Getting into the mindset of taking online classes can be a challenge. One of the most important things that you should keep in mind is that it is essential to maintain (to the best of your ability) a peaceful study area. Without the physical prompts of moving from class to class, the ability to walk into the library, or the stimulus from seeing friends, time can blur together. 

This can be incredibly difficult depending on where you are. Some of you may not even have the luxury of having your own study space. You may be dealing with the very real realities of having multiple siblings/family members under one roof, a restricted amount of computers/wifi access, and/or your home just may not be a conducive environment to complete work. 

Eliminate distractions when you decide that it’s time to do work.  Do your best to ensure that your area is quiet, organized, and available for use during your class/study sessions. If necessary, speak to your family and friends beforehand about the importance of respecting your “work mode”. Along the same line, respect your own “work mode” by limiting your time on your phone or daydreaming while studying.   

 

Tip #2: Treat Your Online Class Like a Real Class

Circling back to your mindset, it’s important to apply all of those positive steps that you take when you approach your in-person classes on campus to these new online ones. This includes actively participating, taking study breaks, and building a study plan. First, figure out how you will best learn during this time period and then build upon that. Are you a morning person or would you work better later in the evenings? Do you need a desk or would you prefer to work in a comfortable armchair? Do what makes you the most comfortable but also allows you to be the most focused. 

Do all of the things that made you feel the most productive when you were in those physical classes. Although office hours may look a little different now, continue to ask for help when you need it. Don’t be afraid to send a quick email to your professor asking for assistance on a concept or research idea. Now more than ever, your professors want to see you succeed. There will be a learning curve for them as well, so keep that in mind and as the term starts off. 

Another thing to consider: just because your classes will now be online, doesn’t mean that all of your learning has to take place there! Don’t shy away from taking notes with a notebook and pen or using a physical version of your textbook to study. Try to keep your study habits in line with how you have always achieved success.

I personally love to create to-do lists and set calendar reminders for important projects. I also use the Pomodoro method (which I’ve detailed in one of my earlier blog posts, “How Planning Can Lead to a Successful College Experience”).

Take some time before the term begins to figure out a plan. This could include a schedule of how you want to complete your assignments each day, how long you would like to spend on schoolwork, when you want to go to bed and wake up every day, etc. There will be a lot more accountability placed on your shoulders now, and it's up to you how you want to manage it. Discipline yourself to stick to your time limits; for many, awards based systems work really well. 

 

Tip #3: Note the Differences and Embrace Them

Accept the fact that online classes will feel inherently different than learning on the Dartmouth campus. There will be different aspects that you will need to take into consideration. Do your best to stay as mentally engaged as possible. If your professor gives you a PowerPoint or a youtube video to watch, review it multiple times and take notes. Don’t let the fact that you are not in a physical classroom allows you to drift off and stop paying attention. 

Limit your use of social media and eliminate your use during class discussions. The temptation to check Twitter and Instagram will be all the higher during this next semester. Fight the urge by turning off your phone or deleting the apps for a certain amount of time. The more tech-savvy professors will be able to tell if you are on your phone during class. And even if your professor doesn’t notice, you will only be doing yourself a disservice by not paying attention. 

Finally, make an effort to build connections during this time. It will benefit you to come out of your comfort zone in the long run. “Online classes may sometimes make you feel like you are learning on your own, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Most online courses are built around the concept of collaboration, with professors and instructors actively encouraging that students work together to complete assignments and discuss lessons (Northeastern University Graduate Programs)”.

Join a virtual study team. Engage in the online discussion boards. Reach out and discuss assignments. You will feel more connected to your online student community, and hopefully, some of these relationships will last into the next term when you can meet in person. 

 

Hang Tight and Make the Most of Your Term

This will be a huge adjustment for all of us. But If you're willing to put in the work, adapt, and ask for help when you need it, you'll be on track to having a productive and engaging spring term!

Keep in mind that all 20S undergraduate courses will officially be taken on a credit/no credit basis. So use this opportunity to dive deep into your classes and enjoy the learning process.

 

References: 

Published on Leave a comment on A Productive Day Begins the Night Before

If you go on YouTube and type "morning routines," you are bombarded with picture perfect routines: students getting up at 5:00am, working out until 6:00am, drinking coffee (or a protein shake) on their window seats to watch the sunrise and catching up on their pleasure reading of the month; all well before 7:00am. These are all great activities to start the day off with, but for most Dartmouth students, or any college student for that matter, this is far from reality. ...continue reading "A Productive Day Begins the Night Before"