Study Strategies

How do you use your time?

Since we all have the same 24 hours in a day or 168 hours a week, the question becomes how can you best use your time to increase effectiveness, efficiency and productivity? 

A Time Audit Calculator will help you determine where you spend your 168 hours a week. Once you see where you are spending your time, you can better evaluate where you can make changes. Even small changes can lead to big successes.

Planning & Scheduling

As a student, it can be difficult to focus when you have other commitments that take your time. Creating a schedule to manage your time allows you to build a routine while setting boundaries and taking time to have a balanced life.

• Start with adding your classes then appointments and part-time work. 
• Add study and homework time. An Assignment Planner is a great tool that will help you plan the time required for your paper by breaking it down into smaller steps to make it easier to manage. 
• Add activities and chores that need to be done that week but don’t have a set time. Try to spread these activities across the week. 

We are not suggesting you schedule your whole life, you need to have a balance from work to school to personal time. The schedule will show you where you have pockets of time that you didn't realize you had. 

A study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology found it takes more than 2 months before a new behaviour becomes automatic—66 days to be exact, so don't beat yourself up if it takes a while to form these habits.

Fighting Procrastination

According to Piers Steel, author of The Procrastination Equation, about 95% of people admit to putting off work even when they have a mountain of work and deadlines to meet. How do we make our work easier, get motivated and beat procrastination?

• Break down large projects - Break down big projects or assignments into smaller bits and tackle one thing at a time. Using an Assignment Planner will help to make manageable short tasks.
• Find your peak time of day - We are not all the same and you may find you work better first thing in the morning or in the afternoon. Using your "peak time" will maximize your productivity.  
• Limit your distractions - Social media and watching TV are two of the big ways to get sidetracked. It is easy to say I'll just check to see what's going on but next thing you know you are an hour in and your time is gone.
• Find a partner - Working with a classmate or being part of a study group can help keep you accountable and focused.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help - Clarification from your instructor, help from library staff or a tutor can quickly put you back on track.
• Remember your end goal - If you're looking for an excuse not to start working, you will always find one. Don’t wait for this perfect time; instead, get started and motivation will follow. Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s all part of the learning process.

Balancing Life

Choose a planner that works for you

There are many different planners available, whether you use an app, your google calendar or a paper copy.
 

myHomework Student Planner – Android/iOS/Windows, Free 
myHomework is a digital student planner that lets you track your classes, homework, tests and projects so you never forget an assignment again.

NBCC Resources

Sometimes, even when you're prepared and practice good time management strategies, you may still find you're overwhelmed and can't focus. It's a good idea to reach out for support. We are here to help you succeed.

Library Learning Commons Find space to study, and/or to get help with research and citations. 

Counselling Services - If personal issues overwhelm you and prevent you from focusing, ask for help.

Accessibility and Inclusion Services - Are you registered with Accessible Learning? You might benefit from their help.

Tutoring Service Options - Get extra help on your academic work.

IT Services - For IT related questions, the team is available.