Time and Task Management

What tools or techniques can help with time management?

Use digital tools like Google Calendar or Apple Calendar to track deadlines, class schedules, and appointments, and task management systems like Trello or Todoist to break tasks into manageable pieces and prioritize them. Time-tracking apps like Forest help identify areas for improving efficiency, and integrating these tools into your routine keeps you focused and organized.

How do I prioritize tasks?

Use the Priority Matrix to categorize tasks by urgency and importance or the ABCDE method to rank them by priority, focusing on completing critical tasks first to address important responsibilities. These methods reduce stress and enhance productivity, with tools like Trello helping visualize and organize priorities effectively.

How can I stay organized if I have a varied schedule each week?

Plan two weeks at a time using flexible tools like Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook, reviewing commitments weekly to adjust for changes. Time-blocking specific activities ensures your varied schedule remains organized and efficient, with a flexible planner helping balance tasks while adapting to new demands.

Priority Matrix (Print Only)

ABCDE Priorities Worksheet

Forest

How can I balance work, family, and school responsibilities effectively?

Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance while creating a flexible schedule to manage commitments, communicating with your employer and family to set expectations and seek support. Adjust your schedule weekly to balance roles effectively, with a Student Success Coach offering advice to navigate responsibilities.

How do I communicate my academic needs to my employer and family?

Be transparent about your study schedule and deadlines, setting clear boundaries to protect academic time and negotiating flexible work arrangements like modified hours during exams. Effective communication ensures your employer and family understand commitments and provide needed support, aligning expectations through clear, respectful dialogue.

How do I balance part-time work with my studies?

Prioritize academic responsibilities and create a schedule integrating work and study using tools like Google Calendar, communicating availability clearly with your employer to avoid conflicts and prevent overworking. Consider campus jobs through CBU’s Career Center Handshake for flexible hours, ensuring you meet goals without burnout.

How to Plan Your Day

Clever Fox Physical Planner

The CBU 168-Hour Exercise

How can I make the most of short breaks between classes?

Use short breaks to review notes, plan your next study session, or organize tasks, or relax briefly, pray, or do quick physical activity to refresh your mind if drained. Tools like the Pomodoro Technique encourage focused work with brief rests, helping you stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.

How can I improve my focus during study sessions?

Minimize distractions by choosing a quiet study space and turning off device notifications, using time-blocking like the Pomodoro Method with 25 minutes of focused work alternating with 5-minute breaks. Regular breaks recharge your mind and maintain productivity in a distraction-free environment.

How do I stay engaged and motivated in an online learning environment?

Set specific, achievable goals for each course and actively participate in online discussions, forums, or group projects, engaging with instructors during virtual office hours or through communication tools. Staying involved with peers and setting milestones maintains focus, motivation, and a sense of progress and community.

Pomodoro Technique

Todoist

My Problem-Solving Worksheet

What should I do if I fall behind on my schedule?

Reassess your schedule, prioritize critical tasks, and adjust to catch up, seeking help from instructors, peers, or a Student Success Coach for support. Setbacks are normal, and a calm, focused approach helps you recover while refocusing on essential tasks.

How do I deal with unexpected events or disruptions?

Dedicate 2-3 hours of study for every hour of class time, adjusting for course load and difficulty, using time-tracking apps to monitor study time and focus on quality over quantity. For challenging subjects, increase study time and create a personalized plan with your Student Success Coach to maximize productivity and understanding.

How can I manage my time when I have multiple deadlines close together?

List all deadlines, prioritize tasks, and use a detailed schedule to break work into manageable parts, focusing on critical tasks first and working ahead if possible. Short breaks prevent burnout and maintain productivity during busy periods.