1. Managing your time. Effective Strategies to manage the tasks of school and life.

2. To get things done, one must avoid procrastination.

3. Procrastination is the conscious or unconscious avoidance of completing tasks by their required due date. Procrastination is often a combination of a variety of factors, including: Decreased motivation Avoidance tendencies Lack of confidence Misunderstanding of content Lack of time management What is procrastination?

4. What causes procrastination?

5. Decreased motivation – no interest in completing the task. Avoidance tendencies – rationalizing that putting off the task will not result in a consequence. Lack of confidence – feeling that one is incapable of completing the task. Misunderstanding of content – inability to understand the directions or information about the task. Lack of time management – inability to schedule and prioritize tasks to be completed in a timely manner. Procrastination factors

6. Procrastination often begins as a conscious habit, where one chooses to avoid a task for many of the reasons previously identified. At the last minute, the motivation to complete the task is often based in fear that the task will not be completed on time. After several episodes of fear based motivation, the mind becomes conditioned to that as it’s primary source for motivation. This is often the reason that procrastination then becomes unconscious, as your mind needs the feelings of fear to motivate the body to complete the task. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why do I always wait until the last minute?” this might explain why. So, Why do I always wait until the last minute?

7. Procrastination Creates more stress and anxiety. Does not allow you to work at your full potential. Can create time conflicts in your schedule. Identifies tasks that need to be completed first, as opposed to those that can wait. Gives you time to focus on each project individually. Allows you to schedule time for each task. Know the difference:procrastinating or prioritizing? Prioritization

8. Procrastination happens to the best of us. Procrastination CAN BE AVOIDED! Avoiding procrastination requires a commitment to three main strategies: 1. Time management 2. Setting realistic goals 3. Effective Study habits Breaking the Cycle

9. Strategy 1: Time Management

10. Time management is: Strategies that allow you to coordinate and complete tasks within the amount of time you have available. You know your schedule best. You also know your strengths and weaknesses. Being honest with yourself is the first strategy that will allow you to develop time management that works for you. Time management

11. When you think of time management, you may think of something like this: Time management While a written schedule in a planner is a great tool, it is not the only one.

12. Assess your schedule. Write out all tasks/activities that occur on a daily and weekly basis. This includes classes, meetings, job schedule, etc. Label each activity as either permanent (time does not change day to day) or variable (time can change day to day) Then, note the time you usually start and end your day. Be honest with yourself. With all of this information, use a calendar to create a weekly master schedule. Many students like to do this for each semester. Time management

13. Weekly master schedule: tasks/activities and responsibilities listed by date and time. Your weekly schedule can be created in a variety of ways: On a white board Using a regular hanging calendar In a written planner In your smart phone On your computer (i.e. Google calendars, outlook, etc.) You can choose one, or a combination that works for you. Time management

15. A view of each month of the academic year.

16. A view of each week of the academic year.

17. Grade/assignment tracking forms.

18. Future yearly calendars. (2012, 2013, 2014)

20. Short term goals take a large task and break it up into several smaller ones. Smaller tasks are less intimidating, and easier to manage. Smaller tasks also allow you to track your progress. Goal setting: Short Term Goals

21. Can be for as brief as a few minutes to several hours. Actual technique used by Navy Seals in training. Example task: writing a 2 page essay. Goal 1: I’ll work on the first paragraph. Tell yourself, “Just need to get that first paragraph done.” Goal 2: I’ll work on two more paragraphs. Tell yourself, “Just need to get the next to paragraphs done.” Goal 3: Complete the essay. Tell yourself, “Just need to finish this draft.” Goal setting: Short Term Goals

22. Long term goals help you track your progress thus far, and what you have left to complete. Long term goals can be for the semester, for the year; either academic or 12 month. Examples Semester – to complete all assignments on time Year (academic) – to maintain a 3.0 cumulate GPA. Year (12 month) – to research and apply for at least 3 internships. Goal setting: Long term goals

23. Not that you’ve established your goal, (the “what”) It’s time to build in what you need to do to accomplish your goals (the “how”) – like “stepping stones” that you need to complete in order to achieve your long term goal. Example: Semester – to complete all assignments on time highlight all due dates in syllabi. complete each assignment at least 1 day before due date & review before turning in. Year (academic) – to maintain a 3.0 cumulate GPA. study any/all grading rubrics from instructors to make sure work is meeting expectations for the highest grade possible. Plan at least 2 hours of study time per course per week. Year (12 month) – to research and apply for at least 3 internships. Check job/message board at least once a week. Make appointment with ASU Career services at least once a semester. Goal setting: Long term goals

24. Strategy 3: Effective Study Habits

25. Effective Study Habits combine time management and goal setting. Three parts to effective study habits: the when, how, and what approach. When to study How to study What to study Effective Study Habits

26. Choose a time of day that works best for studying. This should be a time when you can devote 100% of your energy to your schoolwork. If you know that your mornings are hectic and your afternoons are free, choose a time in the afternoon. Avoid times when you know your focus will be elsewhere, i.e. at the commercial break during favorite TV shows is probably not the best time. Schedule time to study, and set up reminders or leave yourself notes. Commit to these study times. Effective Study Habits: When

27. Find a place to study free of distraction. This may mean turning your phone off or disabling the wifi connection on your laptop so that you are not tempted to focus on other things. Make sure you have access to ALL materials from your classes, including the syllabus, textbook, notes, handouts, grading rubrics, etc. Refer to your syllabus and identify material you have covered in class. Study in short intervals. (20-30 minutes at a time) Take breaks no longer than 10 – 15 minutes. Effective Study Habits: How

28. Always refer to any notes/rubrics or syllabi for what topics to study. This will help you stay current with your instructors expectations. Using your textbook – look for and use resources such as highlighted vocabulary, bold topic headers, etc. Skim first, then focus on specific topics. Review information in a variety of ways, write lists, read aloud, create summaries – the more ways you use the information, the more you are likely to retain it. For more specific information, please refer to the “Study Skills” section on the TRiO blackboard. Effective Study Habits: What

29. Bringing it All Together.

30. Avoid procrastination – create a schedule and break larger tasks into smaller ones. Set goals and stick to them. Plan time to study and use it effectively. Remember – YOU are the only one who can manage your time. Make the commitment NOW, or pay for it LATER. Bringing it All Together.

31. Contact the mentor and/or instructional specialist. See blackboard for study skills and avoiding test anxiety workshops. For more information and support