Time Management

My Time Management by Rachel Jackson

Time management is always one of those scary things that people seem to think they are really good at, but in hindsight they are not. I was one of these people. I thought I had reasonably good planning, structure, balance and time management in my day to day life. When you study, work and dance, it's not as easy as 1,2,3!!

While working as a Receptionist for the Mayor of Hamilton City, I managed to implement strong time management skills. I was able to have reports out on time, organise functions that ran smoothly and keep my environment clean and tidy and free of chaos. I thought these were all the skills I needed, I was wrong!! All skills you have can be improved on as there are always better ways to do things.

After starting my studies I realise that all the areas I was good at needed lots of work to make everything fit and flow. I had a strong base in time management and structure, but I have found this had to be fine tuned if I was to fit everything in. We all have our own lives outside of school, weather we have families, hobbies, work or sports interests. I have found that I need to structure my days as I work on the weekends, I dance 3 or 4 nights a week, I have at least 4 subjects through school and several hobbies I like to enjoy. With the mix of all of these, my balance has gone out the window.

I now plan and structure each day with each week planed from 9am in the morning to 9pm at night. I am lucky in many respect to have so many hours in the day, as i don't have to be home for children or partners. I give myself an hour in the mornings to have breakfast, make my bed etc and then it's into the day. I allow myself an hour on each subject, time for a massage client, and then time for assesments, study and writing up notes. I also plan in hours for dancing, socializing and work.

With the structure and planning I have found I have more hours in the day to complete study, leaving time for hobbies and dancing. My time management is being helped along by means of the planning and structure and with my alarm clock signalling each hour. I now have more time for myself as well as my friends and my assessments are all submitted earlier than required as it allow more time on upcoming assessments, tests or learning. The balance I needed is starting to emerge.

I know if I continue to plan, structure and manage my time like I have started to do, I will be the best student I can possibly be, which ultimately will result in me being the best person and Therapist I can be.