Time Management 
"Time management" is the process of structuring our lives so that we maximize our time and energy on what is most important to us and minimize the time we spend on activities we do not value.
Time management is an important tool that can help you succeed in school, work and other personal endeavors. By learning how to manage your time you will be able to:
- Achieve More
- Lead a Balanced Life
- Have More Free Time
- Meet Deadlines
- Overcome Procrastination
- Reduce Stress
The first step to effective time management begins with finding out how you use your time. Do this by keeping an activity log for a week. Evaluate your results by asking yourself, "Did I accomplish what I was supposed to? Was I often pressed for time? At what time of the day was I most productive? Least productive? How much time was allotted for personal activities?"
Your next step is to make a list of everything you plan to do, dividing the list into fixed commitments and flexible commitments. Fixed commitments are those tasks that you absolutely must complete by a specific deadline. Flexible commitments are obligations you can meet on a time available basis. Assign priorities to your list and set aside enough time to do the designated tasks.
- Learn how to schedule. We all have best times to work and play, so plan your work schedule around your peak energy times.
- Save energy! To save it you need to know where and how you're losing it.
- Eliminate negative feelings; criticism of others; defensiveness for self. As you do this, a surplus of energy will result.
- Use the creative powers of sleep. The more demands you make on yourself, the more sleep you will need.
- Develop your powers of concentration.
- Listen well; take notes.
- Read effectively. Learning what to read is more important than how fast you read.
- Use words well. Too much verbiage wastes everybody's time and bores others.
- Increase your output by increasing your ability to absorb accurately and quickly what is going on around you.
- Be alert. "Drifting off" means you're not in control, your daydreams are.
To access a time management assessment from Cook Counseling Center at Virginia Tech, click here.
Procrastination and Perfectionism
If you're finding yourself getting stuck, it may be that sitting down with a friend, trusted advisor, or counselor could be helpful. For example, you might realize through examining how you expend time, you seem to be procrastinating. There are lots of reasons why people put off starting tasks or following through on them. Perfectionism (e.g., the feeling that everything you do must turn out "just right") or fear of failure might be one reason. If you'd like to learn more about how to change your habits - like diminishing procrastination and overcoming perfectionism - please stop by the Counseling Center and ask to meet with a counselor.
If you'd like to learn more about the link between procrastination and perfectionism, click on this link http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/perfection/perfect.html at the University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center.
Adapted from materials developed by Michigan State University Counseling Center and Cook Counseling Center at Virginia Tech.