THINK
This chapter provided several strategies to manage your time, energy, and money. Which one is the hardest for you to manage? Why? What did you learn in this chapter that you think can help you in dealing with the challenges?
WRITE
It can be frustrating to realize that you have to spend time organizing yourself in order to manage your time effectively. Write down a summary of the time-management tips in this chapter that appealed to you and explain why.
APPLY
Take control of distractions you know are difficult for you. When you allow distractions to take control of your life, you may feel anxiety about the areas of your life you have ignored. Below are some possible distractions. Choose Yes (a problem) or No (not a problem) for each one. Are the problems you identify controllable? If so, what solutions might help you take control of your time? Use this worksheet to increase your awareness of what distractions are tripping you up and how to overcome them.
| Possible Distractions | Yes (Y)No (N) | Controllable (C)Uncontrollable (U) | Solutions? |
| Cell phone | |||
| Internet (e.g., Twitter/Instagram) | |||
| Gaming/videos/music | |||
| Sports/hobbies | |||
| Television/online videos | |||
| Lack of sleep | |||
| Relationship problems | |||
| Meals/snacks | |||
| Daydreaming | |||
| Perfectionism | |||
| Errands/shopping | |||
| Lost items | |||
| Worries/stress | |||
| Socializing/friends | |||
| Multitasking | |||
| Illness (yours or someone else’s) | |||
| Work schedule | |||
| Pleasure reading | |||
| Family members |
Money is a difficult subject to talk about, and sometimes it seems easier not to worry about it. Ask yourself hard questions. Do you spend money without much thought? Do you have a lot of debt? Click around the resources available at cashcourse.org. What did you find that can help you? Go to the notebook or file where you have taken notes on this chapter, and reflect and write about your thoughts on these questions.
Devote more time building and refining the budget that you began in the Your Turn: Try It earlier in this chapter. In the notebook or file where you have been taking notes on this chapter, write down some observations about what you have learned about your spending habits.
Using the templates for calendars provided in this chapter, set up a monthly calendar for all the months in this academic term. Include all of your classes. Set up a weekly calendar for the next two full weeks that are approaching, and include the due dates for all assignments during this time. Then create specific to-do lists for your first three assignments.