Time, Energy, and Stress (TES) Management KEYs to College Success

What is college all about? Intellectual exploration Creative and active learning Critical thinking Academic integrity and interpersonal honesty Respecting and valuing the differences in people Analytical dialogue and reflective writing

TES Quiz Do you find that you have the time to do everything you want to do? Do you ever pull all-nighters? Are you eating well? Are you under any amount of stress? Are you remembering to have fun? Are you doing your best? Are you in control of your schedule? Do you find yourself worrying about what you didn’t do that day? Do you find yourself feeling guilty doing one thing thinking you should be doing something else? Do you have enough “ME” time?

The Personal Struggle We … Kill time Waste time Can’t find time Ask where did the time go? Have no time Lose time Learned culture Adopt unhealthy practices to get the minimum of things done so that we can get by … Impatience. Want it now! Procrastination is the best friend of failure. Paralysis by over analysis. We over-think and struggle to find perfection.

Brain Drain Don’t hold all of your stressors in your head. If you can’t meet all of your demands … do a brain drain before bed! List everything you have coming up this weekend and prepare for the next week.

Time and energy demands Make a list of … Academic Family Social/friends “Extra” and “co” curricular Personal/self care Sleep Meals/snacks Exercise Planetary citizenship Spiritual life Work Financial What is a need? What is a want? What must be done? What is the least distracting if it doesn’t get done?

Prioritizing If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you find time to do it again? Why are you here? Your priorities must match what you value and what is important to you. What does prioritizing do for you? Allows you to avoid our biggest enemy … procrastination. Reduces stress. Increase productivity. Helps improve results. Allows for choices. Builds confidence. Keeps us focused and balanced. Moves you closer to your GOALS!

TES Strategies Attend class regularly … and on time Use a centralized planner or database Break up and block out your day OR plug away in small, manageable parts Know all deadlines and due dates Recognize the difference between NEED and WANT Be proactive instead of reactive Use today to build quality, positive habits for tomorrow Stay flexible and be open to inevitable change

TES Strategies Learn your peak times … Am or PM? Control interruptions Set a bed time Build in rewards and break time. Learn to use “down” or “waiting” time Ask for help before you need it Learn to say “NO” … develop self control and personal discipline Consistency in sleep

Planner Strategies Use codes or a key Abbreviations Consistency Use a pencil, not a pen! Track your output Double check Mark projects, speeches, assignments, papers and due dates Important phone numbers and contact information Be sure to put YOUR contact info in the planner! Double check

Breathe Visualize … see yourself in the future as a success Avoid worry and guilt Massage … give or receive Find something to laugh about Sleep … take a nap. Try not to make going to sleep at night a stressful event! Avoid toxic people and places Minimizing Stress Eat healthy meals and snacks n… avoid overeating Take a break from what is stressing you out Talk to people who are doing what you are doing or have been through what you are going through. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Slow down and enjoy the ride … Life is a marathon of sprints Exercise, walk, gym, park

Setting Life Goals Exercise Be SMART about it! Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timeline A student that sets no goals is going no where. Let it be written … let it be accomplished. Begin with the end in mind. Aim for the stars. If you come up short you might land on the moon! Are you willing to pay the PRICE? Persistence, Resilience, Innovative, Consistent and Enlistment

Our Values and Life Journey Exercise What’s important to you? Close your eyes and “see” yourself 10 years from now. Describe the scene. 6 months to live … What would you want to accomplish? How do you want to be remembered? Identify who and what can help you.