Time Management and Organization

Use your time wisely to become for productive and efficient in your workflow.

Reflect and practice some of our tips by prioritizing tasks to reduce your stress and accomplish more.

Tip #1: Prioritize activities

Most people are busy. How do you decide when to do things, where to go and who to see? Time management.

Whether or not you are a good multitasker, you need to understand your limits, decide on the importance of tasks and adjust your workload appropriately.

Successful students place a high priority on their classes, but they do not neglect other aspects of their college experience.

"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least."― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Tip #2: Use a syllabus and planner

  • Add your instructor's contact information in your planner/phone. Include their name, phone number, email address and office hours.
  • Enter items in your planner (or booklet, phone calendar, etc.).
    • Review the syllabus for:
      • The schedule of activities
      • List of all exams, assignments, papers, projects and their associated due dates
    • For each item, add a reminder in your planner:
      • Exams: At least 5 days prior
      • Assignment or paper: At least 3 days prior
  • Make note of the scheduled final exam day, time and location for each of your classes. You can view your final exam schedule in My Missouri State.

Tip #3: Create a chart for each of your time demands

Time demands can be split into three categories.;

  • Activities that must be included in your schedule.
  • Activities that can be included in your schedule.
  • Activities that can be excluded from your schedule.

Tip #4: Prepare for the situation

Think of a time when you felt like you had no control over a situation because you were unprepared for it.

Now, think of a time when you felt like you were in complete control of the situation because you were fully prepared.

Did you feel less pressure or stress when you felt you were in control of the situation? What was the main difference?

Staying organized and prepared will help you manage your time, gain back some control and reduce stress.

Some examples may include gathering questions and information before a group study session, reviewing the syllabus for an answer before asking your instructor or creating a plan of action for a particularly busy day.