
Resources
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Time Management
Managing your time independently is a critical support strategy in the learning process, particularly for college students. To get organized, reduce stress, and increase efficiency, students must learn how to manage their time and tasks, and ultimately themselves.
Tips for managing your time and tasks:
- List all class times and other fixed activities.
- Set times for sleep & meals.
- Add time for regularly scheduled activities such as a job, meetings, and social activities.
- Plan to schedule 1 to 2 hours of outside prep for each hour a course meets. For example, if you have a one-hour English literature class on Monday, you should spend one to two hours prepping for that class. This may include reading, reviewing notes, prepping for assessments, completing homework assignments, writing papers, meeting in groups, etc. If you take five classes (15 hours of class per week), this is an additional 15 to 30 hours per week of work outside of class. Mark this prep time on the Week by the Hour planner.
- Notice the times that you are most alert and productive and plan to study more difficult subjects at that time.
- Review class notes and assignments to warm up the mind before starting homework. If time, it is best to work on assignments right after class when the information is fresh.
- Conceptualize and connect- think about how the new material links to what you already know.
- Include exercise in your schedule at least three times a week to reduce stress and increase blood flow to the brain.
- Sign up for an academic coaching appointment or attend a Time Management workshop to help with completing your planners.
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Stress Management
Stress is the physical, emotional, or mental response you feel when faced with any new, threatening, or exciting situation. It is important to manage your stress because it can affect you physically and emotionally and therefore significantly affect your quality of life. Stress also interferes with cognitive processing so it is crucial to manage symptoms early so it does not negatively impact your academics.
For advice on managing your academic stressors or test taking anxiety, join any one of our workshops or make an appointment with an academic coach. If you are experiencing moderate symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, difficulty sleeping or relaxing, please consider making an appointment with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).