In the section referring to time management, Cal Newport
explains his system. He says, “The whole system can be summarized in three easy
steps: (1) Jot down new tasks and assignments on your list during the day; (2)
next morning, transfer these new items from your list onto your calendar; and
(3) then take a couple to minutes to plan your day.” (Newport 22). The impact
that this has had on my studies is that I have been able to get work done more
efficiently. For example, because I have a set schedule on the work that I plan
to achieve, it helps me to reduce procrastination. Also, I am able to do a
little bit of work every day rather than do all of it in one day, reducing my
stress and allowing me to get more sleep. Newport also states in the time
management section that you should leave a lot of time for breaks, so then when
unexpected events come up and assignments take longer than expected, you have a
little leeway (Newport 26). This helped me become better with managing my time because I was
able to do most, if not all of the assignments that I had scheduled for the
day. If I had not had more time for breaks, it would have been a lot more
difficult to complete all the assignments I had planned out for myself. Let’s
face it; things take longer than you expect them to. What strategies have you
used for managing your time, and how have they worked out for you? If you need
a better method, try this state of the art time management method. It has
worked out incredible well for me. Newport, Cal. How to Become
a Straight-A Student. New York: Broadway, 2007. Print.
