Time Management Program

It must be noted that, there are many different kinds of time management practices, utilizing different terms, for different purposes but most of which have certain common core components in them. This article is an attempt to simplify and synergize the core components of time management practices. I label it as the “Simplified Time Management Practices” to be used for college and university students. In this proposed time management practices, I would be covering two areas. They are: 1) Smart Time Goals Settings; and 2) Time Scheduling.

1. Smart Time Goals Settings

A mnemonic term “SMART” (Doran, 1981) that is used in project management has been borrowed to be utilized in time goal setting. The “SMART” principles used in project management are equally useful in time management. We shall now see in detail how the principles of “SMART” are utilized in time goal setting. The term “SMART” is interpreted as:

i. S for Specific time goals

In order to establish specific time goals, we have to employ the six useful questions: Who, What, Where, When, Which, and Why as reflective tools. Here is how the six questions can be used in the “SMART” principles. Who will benefit from specific time goal setting? Answer, anyone who is in interested in time management.

ii. M for Measurable time goals

What are the expected outcomes of the time goals? For example, a college student expected outcomes will be to finish his study courses within a certain time framework or to ensure his success at obtaining a certain grade level in a test or examination. The time goal must be measurable in terms of realistic events.

iii. A for Attainable time goals

Which areas of weakness in time management skills does a student want to improve and excel? Which areas of strengths in time management skills does a student want to take advantage of to promote his/her profile? So, in setting time goals, a student should consider his or her weaknesses and strengths. The time goals to improve weaknesses might take longer than when it is used to promote strengths. In setting time goals either to improve weaknesses or promote strengths, attainable time goal purposes must set. Why are attainable time goal purposes important?

A time goal without an attainable purpose would be like an untrained blind person running and falling all over the place due to their blindness and to their untrained inability to navigate physically in daily living. A student must have an attainable purpose for his time goal. A purpose is different from an expected outcome. An attainable purpose is to give direction and assurance in time goal setting, while expected outcomes are hopes for certain results which might or might not happen. But time goals with attainable purposes, have higher probabilities of achieving expected outcomes. Attainable purposes are those that match existing resources and skills of a student, with the requirements and demands of/for the process in attaining his/her time goal purposes.

iv. R for Relevant time goals

Where are the time goals to be utilized? The venue or environment where the time goals will be operational must be specified. The time-tables and schedules of a college would be different from the time-tables and schedules of a factory. In order for a student to have effective time goals, he/she must match it in timing with the college time-tables and schedules. For example, if it is a semester system, his/her goal to finish a semester course in a trimester time frame or vice-versa would be illogical. The time goals must be relevant to the environment or venue in which it is utilized.

For example, who is the beneficiary of the time management program? If it is a college student, then the time goals should be tailored in that context. You cannot use the time goals of a retiree or a CEO of a multinational company for a college student. A retiree might have too much time and would not be in a hurry, while a CEO might be pressed for time and is always in a hurry to get things done. So, the time goals must be relevant to the beneficiary of the time management program.

v. T for Time frame-minded time goals

When will the time goals begin and end? Any time goals must have both of these time frames. A student must know when he intends his goal to begin and end. It would decide between an apathetic time behavior and an urgent time behavior. A failure to have time goals, that does not have a start and end time frames, would lead to a never ending story of confusion and loss of time direction.

As we have covered the areas of “Time Attitudes Development” and “SMART TIME GOALS SETTING”, we can now look at the “Simplified Time Management Practices.” Why simplified? It has to be simplified because of relevancy, as discussed earlier in the principle of “Relevant time goals.” The time management needs of college or university students are different than that of an office, industrial or organizational environment. In view of this reason, I would like to propose the following simplified time management practices.

2. Time Scheduling

Time management for college or university students should begin with the practice of scheduling. What is scheduling? Scheduling is planning for the optimum use of available time. There are two things to be noted. Firstly, you must know what your available time is and secondly, you must actively plan to use it in an optimum manner. To carry out these activities, you can use two tools: Planner and Activity Log.

i. Planner

The planner is a panoramic record of all assignments, activities and anything whether public or private that concerns you. The following are guidelines in using a planner.

Decide on the type of planner you want to use. Nowadays we have planners in hard-copy, electronic and even web-based formats. Electronic formats are found even in mobile

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