1.8. Time Management (study skills)
Learning Objectives
Students will be to:
- reflect on their current study routines.
- organize study tasks in order of priority using index cards and justify their choices based on time constraints, academic goals, and skill development needs.
- design a structured study plan incorporating practicing healthcare skills, and exam preparation.
Part 1: Brainstorm
- Are you good at managing your time?
- Why do you think time management is difficult for some people?
Part 2: Time management
What is time management?
Effective time management is essential for balancing school, study, and personal responsibilities for students enrolled in an intensive course. It will help them excel in their studies and future careers.
Prioritizing Tasks
List down the typical tasks you do in regards to your study (e.g., preparing for exams, reviewing notes, practicing lab skills, and completing assignments).
Now, prioritize the tasks according to their importance. Share to the class the factors that influence prioritizing tasks.
Here are the tasks Jamila is going to do. Help Jamila prioritizing her tasks. On a yellow sticky notes, write down the most important task, on blue sticky note, write down the second important etc:
- Review anatomy notes,
- Practice blood pressure measurements,
- Prepare for upcoming test,
- Do immunization requirements
- Watch a YouTube video related to how to manage time
Discuss how you ordered their tasks and the reasoning behind their prioritization.
Part 3: Weekly schedule
Here’s a sample weekly study schedule that balances reading, reviewing, practicing healthcare skills, and preparing for exams while allowing for breaks and personal time.
Sam’s Weekly Study Schedule
| Time | Monday | Wednesday | Friday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | Work on assignments (1 hr) | Practice injections (1 hr) | Review study guide (1 hr) | Practice lab techniques (1 hr) |
| 7:00 PM | Review class notes (30 min) | Quiz self on terms (30 min) | Review flashcards (30 min) | Watch lecture recap (30 min) |
| 7:30 PM | Break / Exercise | Break / Exercise | Break / Exercise | Break / Exercise |
| 8:00 PM | Dinner / Personal time | Dinner / Personal time | Dinner / Personal time | Lunch / Break |
| 8:30 PM | Revise study plan (30 min) | Watch medical videos (30 minutes) | Read textbook (30 min) | Flashcards practice (30 min) |
Do you think Sam’s schedule is realistic?
Part 4: Write your own weekly schedule
Based on Sam’s schedule template, write a realistic weekly schedule for yourself. Share your schedule to a partner.
Sam’s Weekly Study Schedule
| Time | Monday | Wednesday | Friday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | ||||
| 7:00 PM | ||||
| 7:30 PM | ||||
| 8:00 PM | ||||
| 8:30 PM |
Part 5: Scenario Analysis
Read the scenario below and in your groups discuss how you would help Sarah manage these responsibilities, help her plan her schedule, and prioritize the tasks.
Student: Sarah, a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) student, is feeling overwhelmed with her upcoming academic and clinical responsibilities.
Upcoming Exam: Sarah has an exam in her Medical Terminology course next week. She’s been struggling with memorizing the complex medical terms and their definitions, and she’s worried about her performance on the exam.
Lab Practical: In addition to the exam, Sarah also has a lab practical in her Clinical Procedures course. The lab practical requires her to demonstrate her skills in tasks like taking vital signs, administering injections, and performing basic laboratory tests. She’s been practicing the skills, but she’s nervous about being evaluated in a hands-on setting.
Clinical Shift: On top of her academic responsibilities, Sarah has a clinical shift scheduled at a local outpatient clinic next week. She’s excited to apply the skills she’s learned in the classroom and lab, but she’s concerned about managing her time and ensuring she’s fully prepared.
Part 6: Reflections
-
How did prioritizing study tasks help you organize your time more effectively?
-
What challenges did you face while creating your weekly study schedule?
-
How do you currently track deadlines and upcoming exams?
-
Looking at your study plan, what is one thing you will start doing differently to improve your academic performance?
