1. A MAPS Mentor’s Guide to Time
Management
8 Ways to Manage Your Time Effectively
1. Make a To-Do List for Each Day
a. Make your list for the next day right after dinner or an hour or so before
you go to bed.
i. Do the night before so that you are not thinking about what you
have to do for the next day as you are trying to fall asleep.
ii. Organize your list in a way that works best for you!
1. Prioritize - Do what is most important first.
2. Time Block - Do items on your list where you can fit them
throughout the day to work around your regular schedule.
b. Look at your list when you wake up to remind yourself what is on your
agenda for that day!
2. Keep Your Work With You
a. This works especially well when you have time between classes.
i. No matter how small the amount of time blocked off, you can still
be productive.
1. Ex) Waiting for the bus, waiting for class to begin, etc.

2. 2
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No”
a. It’s okay to say “no” to a friend that would like to do something if the time
is not convenient for you and you know that you have a test or class the
next morning.
b. Find a time that works well for both you and your friend!
4. Find Your Productive Time
a. Are you a morning or a night person?
i. Ex) If you are productive in the evenings, do not schedule classes
after 3:30 to assure you have enough time to study, eat and relax a
bit before bed.
b. Depending on which you are, schedule your classes at another time so
that you are not sitting in class when you feel most productive and eager
to work on homework, tests, studying and projects.
i. Work is done more quickly when you are productive
5. Create a Dedicated Study Time and Space
a. Set up a time devoted only to studying and homework.
i. During these hours, shut off your phone and hide it away from your
study area.
ii. Do not surf the web or check emails (unless they are for class)
during this time either.
b. Find a comfortable space where you can concentrate.
i. Wherever you are, make sure you have adequate space to feel
comfortable and make sure there is a table and chair.
ii. Ex) The library, your desk at home, the basement of the student
center, outside at a picnic table, etc.
iii. Do not study in bed or places you associate with relaxing (the
couch, recliner, etc.)
6. Budget Your Time
a. Figure out how much time you usually spend on your activities (be honest)
and create a weekly schedule to follow

3. 3
b. Determine how much free time you have before committing to anything
extra.
c. Schedule time to relax at your least productive time (when you are not
feeling motivated to work on schoolwork)
7. Don’t Get Sidetracked!
a. If you find this happening, stop and check your to-do list or planner and
get back to doing what is next on your list.
b. Sometimes people procrastinate because they are not sure how to move
forward on a project or do not understand the material.
i. If this is the case, talk to a teacher, tutor or friend to get some help.
8. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
a. Set a bedtime each night and stop doing schoolwork at least one hour
before bed.
i. Give your brain time to relax before attempting to sleep.
b. If you still have items left on your to-do list, list them at the top of your to-
do list for the next day and be sure to tackle those items first.
MAPS Peer Mentoring - Spring 2016
Adapted from bigfuture by The College Board (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get -started/inside-the-classroom/8-ways-to-take-control-of-your-
time)