Learning Guide: Time Management

Time management helps you balance work, school, family, and friends. It’s a skill needed to prioritize demands and keep track of obligations and due dates.

Students need to manage their time on 3 levels: by semester, weekly, and daily.

1. Schedule by Semester

   Look at the big picture and plan ahead by scheduling your whole semester. Write down or draw what your semester looks like on one page. Fill it in using different colours for each class. Include dates for tests and assignments along with how much they count towards your final grade. Here is an Example Semester Schedule for you to review.

   • Semester Schedule (PDF)
   • Semester schedule (Fillable excel)

2. Weekly Schedule

   Build a weekly schedule to bring balance and routine into your life.  Make space for obligations and time for relaxing and having fun.  Firstly, put in all your “non-negotiables” (classes, tutorials, labs, academic appointments, sleeping, eating, exercise, self-care, and chores).  Next, schedule in your study time.

   • creating a weekly schedule (PDF)
   • Weekly Schedule (Excel)

3. Daily Schedule

   Stay motivated and prevent becoming overwhelmed by using a daily schedule and to-do lists. You can break your to-do list down into two categories: an ongoing to-do list and a daily to-do list.   

   • Your ongoing to-do list keeps track of everything you have to get done. It grows as you add to it throughout the semester.  
   • A daily to-do list includes what you plan to get done today.  Create it by prioritizing your top 3-4 tasks from your ongoing list.  

   Read our tips on Making an effective to do list (PDF). 

Following these daily, weekly, and semester schedules will help keep you motivated and prevent you from becoming overwhelmed.