Graduate School: It's About Time

Here it is- graduate school. When people say you are on your own, they mean it. No one- not your advisor, your peers, the graduate school, or even your mother will tell you what to do or when to do it. The result? A lot of requirements, and even less time in which to complete them. The combination of stress and endless hurdles can result in an extended stay in your program, unless you find a way to manage your time. Here are six steps to successful time management.

All of the time management skills in the world will not help you if you do not have clear vision in mind. You need to understand what you want before you can make it happen. The first step to managing your time is to create a Master Plan. This is a statement that describes your life goals. Write a paragraph (or longer, if you wish) describing exactly what you want in the next five years. Be specific about your desired outcomes, and provide a full description of your ideal scenario.

In your Master Plan, you identified what you want. Now you need to make a map so you know how to get there. Gather together your department materials and make a list of everything you need to do need to finish your program. Title this page "Program Goals". Include specific classes, research, publications, internships, teaching positions, papers, and so on. Add any achievements or skills that would make you the best candidate for your desired post-graduate position or career. On the top of a second sheet of paper write the words "Personal Goals." List everything else that is a part of your Master Plan, but not included in your program goals. Think of specific financial, health, relationship (spouse/partner, family, friends), religious/spiritual, and self-related goals. Describe your desired outcomes, both present and future, for each category.

The best way to get something done is to begin. Take one page for each year you plan to be in graduate school. On each page list the coursework and other requirements you'll need to complete that year. Add to the list any applicable items from your Personal Goals sheet. Now that you have a yearly plan for grad school, you can break it up into quarters or semesters. Post it above your desk, so you can see it everyday. This is your map for success. At the end of each term consult your yearly goal sheet and check each accomplishment off the list. If you didn't check everything off, it's time to reevaluate. Did you schedule too much? Did you mismanage your time? Were your goals realistic?

If you're having trouble using each day to its fullest- do what most successful people do: take notes. Make lists of weekly and daily goals and carry them with you wherever you go. If you find yourself with spare time, check your list to make sure you've completed your daily tasks. At the end of each day, check off what you did and did not do. Reflect on your daily and weekly progress, and consider reasons for your success (or lack of) at using your time well. Adjust your habits or schedule accordingly.

Misguided Efforts: There are endless ways you can waste time in school, and many of them might actually feel productive. Many new students seem to waste time on projects, reading, and details that are not essential to their success. Figure out, as soon as you can, the most important aspects of your performance at school. They may be different than you think. Focus your time and energy on these pursuits.

The most successful students (and other people too) have relatively balanced lives. They take time out for family, relationships, physical fitness, health, sleep, and self-development. Granted, graduate school may prove to be one of the busiest times in your life, and it may be tempting to leave things off of your schedule that don't appear to contribute to your program. But consider this: as soon as you ignore a vital aspect of your life, it will likely create a larger problem and take up more time. Don't fail to nurture your relationships, your health, and yourself while you're in school.

The key to successful time management lies in efficient planning and disciplined follow-through. In order to create an effective time management plan, you must understand what you want (Master Plan) and devise a way to get there (Goals). You must also develop the ability to identify and carry out tasks (To-Do Lists), and avoid common barriers to effective time use, such as procrastination. The better acquainted you become with the process, the better you will understand your needs, your strengths, and the best times and ways for you to complete important goals. Continuous monitoring of short-term and long-term goals, assessing them for effectiveness and compatibility, is the best way to schedule yourself for success.

• Get up early. Plan your daily activity each morning.
• Post daily, weekly, and yearly goals in visible places. Check off items as you complete them.
• Stay on schedule; reassess and adjust goals to maximize time.
• Avoid time killers: misguided work, procrastination, and excessive socialization.
• Schedule regular meetings with your advisor; solicit feedback regarding your progress.
• Stay healthy, exercise, and get regular sleep (it will actually give you more energy and focus).
• Don't ignore personal needs and relationships.
• Check in with yourself to assure your time management strategy is effective and working for you.