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MASTER YOUR SEMESTER SCHEDULE
& CLASS SYLLABUS
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
01/22/2015, AMY MILLER
MASTER YOUR SEMESTER SCHEDULE!
Use “Time Management” to master your schedule.
First and foremost, time management is about living life on purpose.
• What will I accomplish today? • What did I accomplish today?
WHAT IS TIME MANAGEMENT?
Prioritizing to achieve your purpose.
• It's important to remind yourself why you're in college in the first place: to graduate.
• Academic work should always come first when it comes to prioritizing your time.
• Be sure to leave time for personal commitments, but keep your eye on the prize.
WHAT IS TIME MANAGEMENT?
3. Using organization to more efficiently achieve your goals.
WHICH TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WORKS BEST?
The system that works for you.
• Online v. Paper
If you are new at managing a calendar, start with paper!
WHICH TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WORKS BEST?
WHERE TO START? MAKE A SEMESTER SCHEDULE
First: What courses are you taking?
(block them out on your Semester Schedule)
Second: What club meetings, outside work, or other commitments do you have?
(block them out on your Semester Schedule)
Third: Block out time for meals, commuting, etc.
Fourth: Block out some time for recreation/family commitments, etc.
MAKE A SEMESTER SCHEDULE.
Fifth: Now fill in the remaining hours each week with the number of hours you want to study.
Sixth: Keep your schedule where you can see it.
USE YOUR CALENDAR ... AND RECLAIM YOUR LIFE!
In addition to your Semester Schedule, you need to keep term calendars and weekly/daily schedules.
1. Create a term calendar, recording major events like exams, papers, and presentations.
• Use this to see the big picture and plan ahead.
USE YOUR CALENDAR ... AND RECLAIM YOUR LIFE!
2. Create a weekly schedule of your classes, labs, meetings, etc. to make sure you keep appointments and visualize your entire work week.
USE YOUR CALENDAR ... AND RECLAIM YOUR LIFE!
3. Make a to-do list for each day.
• Do a “mind sweep” by writing down everything you should be doing, want to do or dream of doing.
• Learn how to create a structured to-do list that organizes and prioritizes your work from the top down.
ONLINE CALENDARS
Use Outlook Calendar or Gmail Calendar as supplemental planners.
• Brainstorm tasks• Set start/end dates• Categorize tasks• Reminders
MANAGING INTERRUPTIONS: A KEY TIME-SAVER
Interruptions are a fact of life.
To discourage unnecessary disruptions, follow these tips:
• Close your door.• Let people know when you really can't be interrupted.• Put a curb on venting time.• Learn to dismiss non-critical interruptions.• Say No.
Remember to return to your schedule after interruptions.
HELP!
Use the help that's available.
• Try talking with your academic advisor or our tutors in Academic Support.
• Set up a coaching meeting with a Learning Specialist.• Looking at how other successful students manage their time
can be a great resource.
GET YOUR ZZZZZ’S
When people's schedules are tight, one of the first things to go is sleep.
• Lack of sleep is more detrimental than you might think. It can throw everything out of whack.
• Plan your sleep.
Use daylight hours productively.
• Research shows that each hour used for study during the day is equal to one and one-half hours used at night.
What is the most overlooked tool in a student’s tool box?
The Class Syllabus!
SYLLABUS 101
Every LU class has a syllabus—a document written by the instructor to show students how to succeed in class.
The syllabus is a very useful tool.
Be sure to pick one up at the first class meeting or download it from Canvas.
Keep it in a folder where you can find it easily throughout the term.
CRUCIAL INFORMATION ON THE SYLLABUS:
• Contact information for the instructor• Dates, times, and locations of class meetings• Dates for in-class tests, midterms, or other required activities• Deadlines and directions for homework• Required and recommended textbooks• Information about the final exam or project• Grading policies • Standards for appropriate collaboration • Policy on missing class or a test
STAR TIPS:
Be sure to make a mental note of when your professor is holding office hours. This is where you can get one-on-one help with your work in the course – often in advance of it being graded.
Pay attention to your professor’s email policy. If he or she allows it, you can often get an answer to a question about a paper or test to come right as you’re working on it. It can be a real lifesaver.
REVIEW A SYLLABUS EARLY IN THE TERM TO:
• Decide if you want to continue with the subject. • Does it interest you? Meet a requirement? Are you ready for
the work load?• Hey, you’re paying good money for these courses. Why not
take good ones?
• Record the times of all lectures, tests, papers, and other class projects in your personal planner.
• Use your planner to avoid surprise exams and last minute cramming! Just plan backwards from the due dates.
STAR TIP:
Study Smart! Students that don’t consult their syllabus are tearing out their hair about quizzes that count .05% of the final grade, while blowing off the research paper that counts 35%. You are smarter than that!
USE THE SYLLABUS LATER IN THE TERMIf you miss a class or test, check the syllabus for instructions.
Use the schedule of topics and readings to organize your review for tests.
Decide if you want to continue with the subject.
• Calculate your score - can you pass? • Can you drop? Know the last day.• Is there extra credit available?
Whether you are worried about failing a class, or wanting to make sure you get an A, you can visit your Professor to calculate the points you need. Keep track of your scores on all assignments, so you can calculate your grade, too!
Star Tip: Some syllabi include an extensive bibliography that may be useful for future reference, especially if you take other subjects in the field.
Hold onto these!
Questions???Please stop by and see a Learning Specialist, Lower Level Page Library Amy MillerJennifer WinkelmannMichael BrownsteinBilly Nelson
