Time Management Support

Time management looks different for everyone, but there are some aspects of time management that are critical in order to be efficient and effective when trying to juggle a complex lifestyle such as being a medical student.

You will quickly realize that shortly after the quarter begins in medical school that utilizing good time management plan is integral to your success. In order to effectively juggle the deadlines and due dates all of your classes while still finding time for yourself, you will need a sound time management plan. Organizing your time and planning for success will help you feel less stressed and more capable of handling your busy schedule.

Key performance indicators that you may need to strengthen your ability to manage time includes:

• Academic difficulty
• Little to no free time
• High-levels of stress and anxiety
• Lack of motivation or drive to get things done
• Easily Distracted

Here are a few tips for managing your time

1. Get a calendar! Having a calendar is the very first step for getting organized.
   1. You can use a store-bought calendar; the calendar on your phone, or a paper calendar. Here is a link to a weekly calendar you can print offline
   2. Write everything down, including assignments and their due dates, test dates, events, etc.
   3. Try color-coding your calendar.
   4. Use a different color for each class.
2. Create a weekly schedule!
   1. Write down each class you have each day of the week.
   2. Write down tasks that need to be completed each week.
   3. Budget your time, especially study time. How much time do you usually need to study for a test? To write a paper?
3. Create a daily To-Do List! What tasks need to be completed today?
   1. Put the most important tasks at the top of the list and tackle those first.
   2. Prioritize your time and complete tasks as soon as possible, so you can do fun activities later.
4. Try to plan ahead!
   1. Planning ahead will allow you ample time to complete tasks, instead of feeling the stress of waiting until the last minute.
   2. For example, have a huge exam due in three weeks? Try scheduling time to review lectures and the blueprint this week, Study with a partner or small group the next week, etc.
5. Find your most productive time!
   1. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Some people are able to get a lot of work done late at night. Some people prefer to wake up early and complete tasks. Find what works best for you and you'll be more likely to complete work.
6. Try keeping some of your work with you!
   1. Keeping assignments near you may come in handy. For example, if you have a few hours between classes, utilize that time to work on another assignment.
7. Schedule time to relax and have fun!
   1. After your exams, assignments, and deadlines, find time to reward yourself by doing something that you enjoy! Plan an outing with friends, or treat yourself to something special.
8. Get plenty of sleep!
   1. A well-rested brain is a more productive brain!

Everyone needs a plan, but everyone doesn't need the same type of plan. Here are some examples of tools to help you plan ahead:

• Check List can be useful when you don't work well with specific timed tasks
• Monthly Calendar supports the learner who needs to see the big picture
• Weekly Calendar effective when you have a ritual that is typical on a weekly basis
• Daily Log effective for learners who like to plan each day in advance with specific details that usually accounts for 24 hours worth of activities

Important topics to consider when making your plan:

• School/Course related responsibilities for example CEC, P4, or Service Learning
• Study Time and Study Tasks
• Self-Assessments instructor authored weekly assessments or self-created
• Personal Appointments and Responsibilities
• Health, Wellness, and Self-Care

Tips for success:

• Use Friday formatives to practice taking timed assessments and identify topics to re-learn.
• Utilize Integrated Illness Scripts and Mechanism of Disease Map strategies for cases beyond CBL.
• Complete asynchronous Synergize sessions with peers or a learning coach.
• Use the exam breakdown to focus your studying with a learning coach.  Consider concepts that were intentionally repeated in various learning structures (lectures, Synergize, CBLs, quizzes, etc.) to identify required learning.
• Plan when, what, and how long you plan to study. It's not enough to plan the time, you need to have real study goals in mind in order to support your own efficiency.

• Regularly review your plan to assure that you are meeting your expectations and staying on task. You may need to make some adjustments, and that's ok too!
• When you fall off schedule, don't fret, pick-up where you left off and add tasks you were not able to accomplish, to the next day or dispersed throughout the week.
• If your feeling overwhelmed and do not know what to do, seek help! OLT, Counseling, Course Director, and Peers are all here to support you. Start seeking help where you feel comfortable, but you don't have to do it alone.

Additional Resources

• Education Corner, "Using Time Management to Improve Study Skills."
• ThoughtCo. Kelci Lynn Lucier, "Steps for Strong Time Management for College Students."
• Collegeboard. BigFuture, "8 Ways to Take Control of Your Time."

For additional support, please contact the Office of Learning and Teaching at olt@med.wayne.edu.

This document has been adapted from a resource found on https://www.cpcc.edu/sites/default/files/2019-04/star-resources-time-management.pdf

For additional support, please contact the Office of Learning and Teaching at olt@med.wayne.edu.