Need ideas to help me with time management skills?

Question

I work 2 jobs and im in school full time. Im finding it more and more pressing for me to find time to study, and when i do im dead tired. I never go out anywhere any more, and i dont even own a TV because i would have no time to watch anyways. Yet i still have no time for anything. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Time management can be a very difficult thing to overcome especially when you have more then the average daily demands on you, which it sound like you do. Being a stay at home mom, caretaker for my disabled mother, a part time student and a business owner I know how crucial time management can be. My suggestion is use a day timer and plan your day according to the highest priorities to the lowest priorities and set out to accomplish one task at a time. I find that when I sit down to do things, if I concentrate on just one thing until it is finished, things get done more efficiently then if I was trying to do 10 things at the same time. But remember to also make time for yourself. This is VERY important because if you don't you will burn out quickly. Also, if you don't drink coffee, then start carrying with you power bars, trail mix etc and eat things that will give you energy naturally... Also, not every plan works for every person, so try different options until you find what works best for you. Research the internet and try different methods and eventually you will find what works best for you. Hope this helps, and good luck and hang in there - there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Answer 2

Prioritize what things have to absolutely be taken care of like bills. If you can pay your bills on line your time is not wasted running around to different places. Stock up on the supplies like food and household items so you won't have to go to the store.

Get the the easy stuff done first. Learn and Use mnemonics to help remember key information. Create a color code system for your assignments on a big calendar at your desk. Make a smaller version that you can carry with you so you will know what needs to be done.Make sure you mark off stuff that has been completed or what the current status is of an assignment. Break them down by class, date due, and how much time you think you will need to complete them. Keep a certain area in your living space just for studying and try to keep it neat and organized. When writing papers save your work on your computer every five to ten minutes, you won't have to write your paper more than once. Make a backup of your work on CD.

Every once in awhile take a mental health day off from both your jobs and give your mind a break.
I wish you good fortune with your studies. Nurses are Always in demand and the pay is can be very good for R.N.s.

Answer 3

I can SO relate to what you are saying. Being a full time single mom, full time student and part time employee was VERY HARD while i was working on my own nursing degree. Can you scale downa few hours off your workload? then you would have a few more hours to study. or perhp syou can change the hours around a bit? i know when i was working and at school and being the only parent to my child, the ONLY time i had to study was between 430 am and 6 am. i managed to get alot done during that time- i also used all my coffee breaks or dead time at work to read my textbooks. it can be brutal! maybe you need to get a roommate or something that will offset the cost of your home expenses and you can let go of one of those jobs you have.
Remember- you are answering to a higher calling in nursing- you would not want to waste that opportunity by killing yourself at a crap job. Also- see what you can get from your finanicial aid office at your college- they have lots of books on scholarships and burseries available- you just need to ask for the book and wade thru it. but the bottom line is - if you have more $$ you can work less and spend more time on whats really important. Your career and your future.
good luck!

Answer 4

Write things down as you find out that you need to do them, and prioritize them by due dates. Make sure to schedule in sleep, and if you have to, break it up over the course of the day. I just graduated nursing school, and I would sleep for three hours in late afternoon to early evening (say 3 - 6 PM, and then get up to work from 6-2, and then go back to bed for another three hours). Don't worry about the TV. Also, if you can cut back on extra expenses, like eating out, drinking, going to movies, and other stuff like that, then you might be able to cut your hours back somewhat at work, which will free up more time. If you have breaks between classes, then use that time to catch up on homework or sleep.

Answer 5

First of all, kudos to you for being such a dedicated individual! Bravo!

Just a few tricks I used:

I tape recorded lectures because it was faster than taking notes and I could listen to them on the go. I'd later make hard copy notes just because it helped the info sink in for me.

A date book/planner with plenty of room for notes helped me organize my day more efficiently.

I started using a kitchen timer for tasks I'd allotted a specific amount of time to complete. I'd get so hyper-focused I'd lose track of the time and wreck the rest of my daily schedule. It was a great training device and eventually I was able to stop using it and instinctively keep track.

Most importantly: TAKE CARE OF YOU! YOU CAN'T POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP. You know the drill... exercise... diet... rest.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Well cut something... weather it be how many classes or even hours on the job...