EFFECTIVE STUDY SKILLS Learning effective time management is the first step towards becoming an effective student. Time management is setting and following of a time table of study in order to organize and prioritise studies in the context of completing other activities. The focus of time management is not to make you a slave, to follow a rigid military like schedule. Rather, it means making intelligent decisions about when it is easiest and most efficient to get your work done and to free you from hasty planning and last minute study. Effective time management is to identify key areas of your study on which to concentrate in order to achieve overall result. Below are some important strategies to remember in managing your time effectively.

• Organise yourself : Every day take time to think and plan your time fruitfully - paying attention to the tasks at hand. The type of focus it requires, the style of processing and the strategy of action. Review your plan daily and check whether you have met your targets.
• Make a To-Do-list : Write down the things you have to do, then decide what to do at the moment and what to put off for later.
• Prioritize your tasks : Check whether the task is urgent and important. Arranging your tasks in order of priority assures that you will get the most important things accomplished.
• Set goals : Goals give you direction and a plan to spend your time. Select only manageable amount of tasks. Setting smaller goals allows you to actually accomplish them. Your goals should “stretch” but not “Break” you as you strive for achievement.