1: Successful Time Management
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” - J. R. R. Tolkien
This chapter reviews key skills to manage your time while in school. This chapter is best viewed electronically because there are interactive elements contained within the chapter. If you use a print copy, there will be placeholders with a website address that you can type into a browser like Google Chrome or Firefox to view and complete the interactive portions of this chapter.
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- 1.1: Start Now!
- This page outlines objectives for effective time management, especially for nursing students. By reflecting on weekly activities and prioritizing tasks, individuals can align their time with long-term goals. The chapter emphasizes the importance of time management and encourages students to conduct a one-week time audit using a workbook to analyze and adjust their time usage, ensuring important tasks are prioritized.
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- 1.2: Escape the Procrastination Trap
- This page explores procrastination, defining it as delaying actions despite potential negative outcomes. It highlights reasons for procrastination, including uncertainty, disinterest, and fear of failure or success. To address these issues, the text recommends identifying underlying causes and suggests strategies like the Pomodoro Technique for effective time management. Readers are encouraged to assess their procrastination triggers and implement these solutions to overcome procrastination.
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- 1.3: Goal Setting
- This page discusses goal setting, emphasizing the breakdown of larger goals into manageable sub-goals to enhance motivation, reduce anxiety, and maintain focus, exemplified by pursuing a BSN degree. It introduces the S.M.A.R.T. framework for creating effective goals that are Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Timely. Additionally, the text includes activities that prompt learners to articulate personal and academic goals along with the necessary objectives to achieve them.
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- 1.4: Planning a College Course Load
- This page details the process of planning a college course load, highlighting the calculation of time needed for work, class, and study. It suggests allocating three study hours for every credit hour and includes a table for recommended time commitments. Key advice includes conducting a time audit, enrolling early, and verifying course prerequisites and important dates prior to enrollment.
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- 1.5: Building a Semester Schedule
- This page provides guidance for students preparing for their semester, highlighting the importance of gathering course materials, adjusting schedules, and using Microsoft 365 tools like Outlook for calendar organization. It encourages the inclusion of personal dates and self-care in planning.
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- 1.6: Email Management
- This page offers comprehensive guidance on managing email effectively, particularly in Outlook. It covers organization techniques, such as creating folders and rules, and emphasizes email etiquette across academic and professional settings. Key tips include crafting clear subject lines, maintaining professionalism with proper grammar, and ensuring respectful communication.
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- 1.7: Putting It All Together
- This page details effective organization and time management techniques for learners, highlighting the need for regular task reviews to address scheduling conflicts. It focuses on prioritizing tasks according to their goal impact, adjusting plans as needed, seeking instructor support, and engaging in reflective practices. Additionally, it encourages documentation of achievements and the setting of future goals to maintain motivation.