Follow these seven steps for taking control of your time. Use a day-timer, a monthly calendar, or a Time-Budget Form (available at SDCC, ADM 230).

Step 1: Record Fixed Time Commitments. Write in all your regularly scheduled activities such as classes, labs, employment, church, etc.

Step 2: Schedule Activities Essential to Daily Living. Write in ample but not excessive time for eating, sleeping, dressing, etc.

Step 3: Plan Appropriate Study Time For Each Subject. Most college classes are planned to require 2 hours of work for each hour the class meets per week. For extremely difficult or more time consuming courses, allow 3 hours of study time for each hour of class time. One hour of preparation time should be allowed for the less time demanding courses.

Step 4: Record Appropriate Number of Study Hours for each Subject. Write the name of each subject in the time periods when you plan to study that material. Avoid generalizations in your schedule such as "STUDY." Commit yourself to studying by being specific with labels such as "STUDY HISTORY" or "STUDY MATH."

Apply the following principles in organizing your study time:

• For a lecture course (history, psychology, etc.), use the time immediately following the class period to review, revise and expand your class notes.
• For a participation course (foreign language, math, etc.), the time prior to class should be reserved for studying the day's assignment.
• Study as early in the day as possible. One hour of study in the morning is usually the equivalent of 2 hours of evening study.
• Attempt to study before meals rather than after meals. Concentration declines quickly after meals.
• For each hour block of time, study 50 minutes and take a 10-minute break. This short relaxation period permits you to recover your ability to concentrate.
• Never study more than 2 consecutive 1-hour blocks without a long relaxation period (30-60 minutes). Concentration decreases rapidly after 2 hours of uninterrupted work and requires a minimum of 30 minutes to recover adequately. It is a good idea to switch to a different subject after the break.
• Plan to study your most difficult subjects first. Begin a long study period by starting with the subject which is the least stimulating or most difficult for you.
• Utilize odd hours during the day for studying. Planning and utilizing the scattered 1 or 2 hour free periods between classes will provide more free time for recreation or other nonacademic activities.
  Provide for spaced review. Schedule a regular weekly period when you will review the work in each of your courses to be sure you are up-to-date. You might label this period "catch up."
• Plan evening study periods so that you will be preparing for the subjects which meet the next day.
• Attempt to schedule your weekly time so that you will have at least one complete day free from any studying. If you force yourself to study every day throughout one academic year, studying will soon become a task that has to be performed rather than one which you choose to perform.

Step 5: Block Off Recreation Time. Set aside regular time for such recreational activities as dating, television watching, physical exercise, etc. Each weekday you should have almost the same number of hours for recreation as you do for studying. Saturday should usually be devoted to recreation, while Sunday should be viewed as a "catch-day."

Step 6: Double Check Your Schedule. Make sure that you have the correct number of study hours for each subject. Add up the total number of free hours, and compare this to the total number of study hours. Are they close to the same number? If not, check to see if you are taking too many or too few classes for your level of ability.

Step 7: Implement the Schedule according to the following principles:

• Follow the schedule as closely as possible. Carry it around with you until you become familiar with it, and be assertive with others who may attempt to interfere with your plan. Let your friends know when you can see them.
• Trade time - don't steal it! When unexpected events arise which take up time you had planned to study, decide immediately where you can find the time to make up the study missed, and adjust your schedule accordingly.
• Adjust your schedule as you become more certain of your time priorities. After two weeks of using your schedule, analyze it to determine if you have too much or too little time allotted for each subject. If you feel very pressured by the time demands of your course subjects, consider dropping them. Note any changes in your daily schedule, and if necessary, make a new schedule to meet your current time demands.
• Make sure you are enjoying each day. If not, try to identify the reason why. If you would like a professional analysis of your time or need help filling out a schedule, check with the Counseling Center in AD 227.