Class Objectives:

After successful completion of Week Six of FY101, students will fulfill the learning outcome of Academic Pathways to Success through:

  • Prioritizing academic responsibilities through appropriate time management tools
  • Considering which study habits lead to academic success
Week Six Outline:
  • Ice Breaker
    • View all of our ice breakers or do Highs and Lows of their experience with time management so far.
  • Brainstorm: why do we procrastinate? Is it a time management issue, a mood management issue, or both? Here is an article you can share as part of the conversation.
  • Time management activity. Choose from below or make up your own!
  • Peer Mentor has students sign up for one on ones.
Our activity + ice breaker suggestions for the time management:
  • Study Cycle Activity: First, ask students to discuss which components of the Study Cycle they have used in the past and which components tend to fall by the wayside. Next, have students ensure their 24 Hour Time Grid addresses each step in the Study Cycle. Emphasize the Review and Assess stages.
    Weekly Study Plan: Ask students to bring one (or all) of the syllabi from their academic courses to class. Have them record when there are exams, big deadlines, etc in the calendar of their choice. Then encourage them to discuss how they could use Reverse Planning and Weekly Study Plan to break down one of their writing projects or prep for a cumulative exam into manageable chunks. The Semester At a Glance calendar by the ERC can be a helpful tool as well.
  • 24-Hour-Timegrid Have students create a 24-Hour-Timegrid (either on paper, via the fillable Word Doc or in their electronic calendars) that records time for sleep, meals, classes, work, study time, and free time. Have them pair share what is working for them and what is not. Have students create 1-2 SMART goals to improve how they are spending their time based on their assessment.
  • ERC Resource Guide: review with students to give direction for seeking help in specific classes. Share tips and tricks for time management and studying from PM and Instructor.
    Possible Activities:
  • Scavenger Hunt: Break your class into groups of 4-5 students. Give them 15-20 minutes to complete as much of the 100 Bay State Rd Scavenger Hunt as possible (includes ERC  and Writing Center for Academic Success). When time is up, have them share their answers/selfies to the class and award a winner.
  • ERC Workshop: Consider having staff from the ERC visit your class or you can visit them at the Yawkey Center for Student Services to become more familiar with their space. Book a 30-40 min workshop. To book a workshop with the ERC, contact Bob Maxwell maxwellr@bu.edu Assistant Director for Academic Support at the ERC.
    • Manage your Time and Productivity:  Managing our time effectively is a cornerstone of success. Learn key principles of time management, compare the advantages of different types of time management systems, and explore specific tools to help you consistently plan your time and execute that plan. Discover strategies to help you maximize your focus to get the most out of your work time.
    • Study Smarter: Learning effectively is an acquired skill. Tap into the expertise of cognitive science to learn research-backed study methods that will help you learn the material deeply and retain it longer without taking extra time.