Time Management

A guide to managing your time as a student with dyslexia.

Time Scheduling

You may find it difficult to be well organized, and that you need some kinds of techniques to help. When working, try to vary your tasks: half an hour's writing might be followed by a change of activity - some work that involves moving around or telephoning people.

Use an organizer

This continuous diary will help you keep up to date with assignment and essay deadlines, exams and appointments. You will also have your telephone numbers all in one place.

Many people keep a 'To do' list in their organizer (see below).

Time Management

• Time management is:
• knowing what you want to accomplish,
• planning how to meet your goals,
• having time for studying,
• breaking tasks into smaller pieces,
• having a personal life, too!
• What do you want to accomplish academically? Personally? Make a list, in order of importance to you.

'To Do' list

A 'To Do' list is a list of all the tasks that you need to carry out. It consolidates all the jobs that you have to do into one place. You can then prioritize these tasks into order of importance. This allows you to tackle the most important ones first.

This will give you control over your work. It will ensure that things are not forgotten, and ticking things off as they are completed can give a sense of satisfaction!

One method is the ABC list. This list is divided into three sections; A, B, or C. The items placed in the A section are those needed to be done that day. The items placed in the B section need completion within the week. The C section items are those things that need to be done within the month. As the B, C items become more pertinent they are bumped up to the A or B list.

• Update your list daily.
• Use your organizer rather than scraps of paper.
• Keep your diary, calendar and 'To do' list in a place where they can be clearly seen.
• Make a point of checking your key lists first thing each morning, before lunch, and at the end of the day.
• Use a highlighter pen to mark important items or dates.
• Cross off completed sections.
• Plan rewards for yourself when you have completed a project.

Learn to say 'No'

For example, an acquaintance of yours would like you to see a movie with him tonight. You made social plans for tomorrow with your friends and tonight you were going to study and do laundry. You really are not interested. You want to say 'No', but you hate turning people down. Politely saying 'No' can be helpful. Saying 'No' can free up time for the things that are most important.

Avoid interruptions

It is extra hard to a dyslexic student to concentrate on two things at the same time. A telephone ringing, or someone calling in to see you, can break your thread of concentration. It can then take you a long time to get back to where you were before. Try to separate socialization from study.

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