Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success : A Self-management Approach

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140 CHAPTER 6

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

• Analyze your use of time.


• Develop a time management system.


• Use strategies to reduce procrastination.

WHAT IS TIME MANAGEMENT?

Smith (1994) defined time as “a continuum in which events suc-

ceed one another from past through present to future” (p. 20). The

basic aspect of time is an event. Everything in our lives is an event.

Getting out of bed in the morning, driving or walking to class, read-

ing this book are all events. Time is the occurrence of all the events

in our lives in sequence, one after the other. When we talk about time

management, we are really talking about event or task management.

After all, the purpose of time management is to ensure that we com-

plete all of our important tasks each day. It is not simply to manage

time. Smith (1994) stated: “Controlling your life means controlling

your time, and controlling your time means controlling the events in

your life” (p. 20).

Student Reflections

I feel very hyperactive. I think that this state is really affecting the way

I approach my work. I do one thing, and my mind races to another

subject that I have to do. All of a sudden, I remember what I’m putting

on hold, and I go back to finish my original task. At the same time, I

any task, everything seems equal. At the same time, I feel like I’m

postponing what I really have to do, because I’m too lazy or too

distracted to do it at that time. I really feel like I’m avoiding what has

feels like I’m avoiding everything that I have to get done.

don’t finish what I set out to do in the second task. It’s really annoying

to be feeling this way, because I’m not getting a lot of things done. I

keep jumping back and forth from one task to the next. I don’t have

any focus, and it’s really hard to concentrate. I have no priority over

to be done. I don’t know exactly what that task is, but right now it

What are your impressions of this student? I found three major con-

cerns when I first read his journal. First, it is clear that he does not

feel in control of his life. It appears that events are controlling his life.

He mentions two other problems: He has no priority concerning the

many tasks he must complete, and he is a procrastinator. As you read

the material in this chapter, think about the suggestions you could

give this student to help him deal with his problems.