TIME MANAGEMENT & OTHER TECHNIQUES!

Time Management

Successful time management does not mean doing all the things you would like to do. It means that you decide which tasks you will do and which you will postpone for the next day. It means that you will not forget any important work.

Here is a technique for time management that . It is simple and it works.

One American businessman once paid $ 25,000 for this same technique.

Make a list of all the things you want to do in the next few days. The tasks you must do today, mark them "A". Those tasks you do not have to finish today, but you would like to, mark them "B". Mark the remaining tasks as "C". Then consider all the tasks marked "A", and mark them as "A1", "A2", etc. "A1" means that you will do it first. "A2" means that you will do it after doing the "A1" task.

Everyday start doing "A" tasks starting with A1. If all "A" tasks are done, or if you are waiting for some "A" task to complete and you do not have any more "A" tasks, then start doing "B" tasks.

At the end of the day, copy the incomplete tasks to a new paper. You can add any new tasks. Then you again begin marking them as "A1", "A2", ..., "B1",..., "C1", etc.

Use this technique for two weeks. If you can use it patiently for two weeks, I believe you will use this for rest of your life.

How To Study

These Study Tips are for any student who would like to stick to a good study regime. You don't have to be the TOP Brain to do that---anybody can do it by following these simple rules and tips. Its your call !!!

1. BE ORGANISED

• Make a homework/study timetable. Work on the important or urgent task first. Give equal time to your least liked subject. Leave until last the things you enjoy most and things that are least urgent. Highlight all the important task to be done.
• Vary your study. Spending too much time on one task will give you less time for something else which might be just as important.
• Use your study diary. Keep it handy all the time. It's a valuable tool to keep you organise yourself.

Organise your study timetables so that the most important stuff is given TOP attention time!! (e.g. PRIORITY - Top >>>Medium >>>Low)

2. FILE YOUR NOTES

Create an individual subject files at home. This could be a 2 ring binder. Preferably use one at each subject.

Place the subject name clearly on the outside. When you get home from school each day transfer all the notes and handouts you recieved that day into each of your subject folder.

Before filing, read through, make notes and organise what it is you need to study from them.

• Your subject file can be further divided into topics. This will make it easier to locate a particular topic when you need to study it later on.

3. SET A TARGET

• Carefuly check your timetable, make sure you have allowed a reasonable time for what you want to achieve. e.g. "Complete Math exercises 3 and 4 or start writing a draft for English essay." You need to clearly identify exactly what you have to do.
• Set yourself realistic targets. When you get them done, you will feel good about yourself. Each small achievement helps to build up your confidence.

Congratulate yourself each time you reach your target.

4. IDENTIFY

Identify exactly what it is you need to learn in some subjects. You might have to memorise a poem or a speech. In other subject you might have to write an extended response. So in order not to waste time, IDENTIFY the kind of learning or task that you need to do and work accordingly.

5. READ AND MAKE NOTES

• By using the notes from your subject or topic files, read and make notes - write comments, make brief summaries.
• Practice the writing of key ideas and facts from memory, you will learn better by doing this.
• Highlight important information, it makes it easy to relocate. It also allows you to create an outline of the material as you are reading. (Use highlighter that are not too bright, they have a tendency to be distracting)
• Write notes as neatly and as legibly as possible. If you compose neat notes, or at least legible ones, you can save valuable time by not having to rewrite them.

Note taking is probably one of the foremost components to being successful in acquiring productive study skills.

6. UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING

Understanding in the classroom involves listening to instructions, being attentive, involving yourself in discussions and asking questions.

Take an active role in your learning. This will improve your understanding of the subject and will help you recall too.

• Summarise things in your own words. When you are summarising, it should be short and to the point, capture key elements. Use diagrams, drawings, and flowcharts.
• When you don't understand something, don't be shy or afraid to ask your teacher for help.

7. REVISE ! REVISE ! REVISE!

It is normal for your brain to forget things, but this doesn't mean your not smart.

You should revise work very soon after you have learned it, once or every two or three study sessions, simply review older materials that you still need to remember.

Doing this regularly will save you having to re-study a topic in detail. Make sure your homework/study timetable includes plenty of revision time. The summaries and class notes you have made can be a great help in revision.

One simple trick to remember older information is to SIMPLY REVIEW
(DISCLAIMER : The components of this article are NOT my original workmanship. I have simply assimilated and edited them for the benefit of the student community. I do not have any claim on its authorship. But these tips DO WORK!)