Time management

TIME MANAGEMENT 1

TIME MANAGEMENT 9

Time Management

Edina Purser

University of Mary

When it comes to time management, there are many different ways that one can tackle what works best for them. Because time is so valuable in all that we do, it is essential that not only is the big picture seen, but gaining an effective handle on the management process crucial as well. Failure to understand the importance of time management can certainly be an issue. Therefore, it is essential always to know the needs behind the process. Those needs include such things as time limited, learning opportunities, ability to make better decisions, accomplishing more with less effort, being more successful in one’s career, amongst others. Also, for many, life is very stressful; time management can help prevent much of this stress and also help reduce the anxiety that individuals may feel; self-discipline can also be learn through the process. No matter what method is use, each one will improve an individual’s lifestyle, and it is a matter of getting the process started. The reason for this paper will be to discuss specifically my time management efficiency and challenges, strategies that can assist me through my graduate program, and how it can impact the platform of learning online.

For time management that is reliable and effective as well as usage of something that will allow me to see if what I am doing is working, my preference is a calendar and day to day task-list or to-do list. This allows for me to determine the primary goals and priorities of the day and see the week overall, additionally, if there is anything that is not necessary, it allows for streamlining or getting rid of the less essential items on the list (Ardissono, Petrone, Segnan & Torta, 2014). With the daily list and keeping the calendar, it is something that I can write in the last minute, carry over the day to day items that need to be carry over, or continued reviewed, and I can see what I have put off that should not be. Being able to see the calendar fully allows me to see the big picture for the week, for the month and the year if needed. My focus becomes more than just passing the time and checking items off the list; my emphasis is place on getting and seeing results.

Anytime I am trying to be effective, I have noticed that multitasking can get in the way, so the ability to optimize is crucial. Ardissono et al. (2014) state that setting goals to manage time is a key concept as well as prioritization. Therefore, scheduling blocks of uninterrupted time is essential. Placing focus on same day important tasks needs to come first, and shutting down distractions is necessary. There are challenges, however, with the utilization of a calendar as a management tool in that sometimes. I do not block off enough time for projects, I fail to review my calendar often enough or when needed, adding or deleting entries has happened and caused issues within my productivity levels and other necessary appointments. There are options for the calendar that I could better learn or use as an opportunity for advancement (Ardissono et al., 2014).

In a graduate program, developing good techniques and strategies will be crucial to me, learning and understanding the necessary material, submitting my work on time, and passing my classes, overall being successful. The calendar system can be helpful here as long as it is utilize to prioritize correctly, and when I am alert, safeguard my time. It will entail using a schedule on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis to accomplish necessary tasks, and there will even become a requirement were saying no sometimes has to happen (Al-Hawamdeh, 2005). In any program, especially that of a graduate program, reading efficiently is essential, Al-Hawamdeh (2005) mentions that it will be necessary to take notes when reading, highlight any concepts within the reading materials when possible and questions are always great to ask. Further, Al-Hawamdeh (2005) discusses capturing the main points of any paragraphs read, keeping writings to four-word catchphrases and take notes within the margins when skimming rather than reading.

Apart from my graduate program, my classes are all done on an online platform; this puts me in charge of learning at my speed and pace but also managing my time in a manner in which I can maintain all of my daily responsibilities as well as my courses online. It is hard sometimes to take learning in an online setting seriously, which is a challenge I face compared to regular classroom learning, where I have a specific time and place to show up. Therefore, time management in an online platform is even more critical. Time management is a learned skill, and there are fundamental concepts that can be easy to grasp, however, require consistent practice. In an article that I selected by Armatas, Holt & Rice (2003), they discuss necessary resources that one has to possess to succeed in being able to successfully manage time with online courses to include persistence, dedication, and motivation. One thing I face every day is that I try to do too many things at one time, and I often actually end up setting myself up for failure more so than not.

Regarding the online learning platform and maintaining success, I need to learn to start small and work my way up with learning the necessary skills for management. I may not have the ability to control all of my time. However, I can make the best of it by learning to manage it with appropriate arranging and planning (Armatas et al., 2003) properly.

As with many other things in life, online learning can come with issues; to overcome many of these challenges, it will be important always to make sure that I find ways to keep my learning experiences interactive, fun, and as dynamic as possible. To avoid technical challenges, I will work to stay ahead of deadlines, maintain good high-speed internet connections, ask questions where needed, and know in advance, forums, and such that will help for sorting out technical problems. I will make sure to set reminders, send them to myself as necessary, and set time limits, dividing my time equally between courses and lessons. My goal in all of my courses will be only to use encouragement, if possible, to create real-life situations that will allow me always to put my skills and knowledge to practical use, incorporate experiential learning and associate my courses with the objectives of my organization.

References

Al-Hawamdeh, S. (2005). Designing an interdisciplinary graduate program in knowledge management. Journal of the American Society for Information Science & Technology, 56(11), 1200–1206. https://doi-org.ezproxy.umary.edu/10.1002/asi.20223

Ardissono, L., Petrone, G., Segnan, M., & Torta, G. (2014). Intelligent user interfaces for calendar management. Intelligenza Artificiale, 8(2), 115–127. https://doi-org.ezproxy.umary.edu/10.3233/IA-140068

Armatas, C., Holt, D., & Rice, M. (2003). Impacts of an online-supported, resource-based learning environment: does one size fit all? Distance Education, 24(2), 141–158. https://doi-org.ezproxy.umary.edu/10.1080/0158791032000127446