Estimating a Week's Time Commitments
Now that you have started to think about all the activities and responsibilities that demand your time, you need to actually assign numbers to these activities. Estimate the time you spend on these activities during one week. Look at the worksheet you completed in the previous activity. Make an additional table like the one shown below. List every extra-curricular activity and responsibility you have. Next to each entry, estimate the time you'll designate to these activities and responsibilities. Total the estimated time column.
|
Extra Curricular |
Estimated Time (hours) |
|---|---|
|
Work |
20 |
|
Rehearsals |
6 |
|
Racquetball |
4 |
|
Goofing Off |
14 |
|
TOTAL Extra Curricular |
44 |
Next, look at your curricular or in-class activities and preparation time, and make two entries: one for the number of hours you spend in class weekly and another for preparation time (which is the number of in-class hours multiplied by 2 or 3). Total the estimated time column.
|
Curricular |
In-class |
Prep Time |
Estimated Total Time (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
English Literature |
3 |
6-9 |
9-12 |
|
Art History |
3 |
6-9 |
9-12 |
|
Chemistry |
3 |
6-9 |
9-12 |
|
Chemistry Lab |
1 |
2-3 |
3-4 |
|
Psychology |
3 |
6-9 |
9-12 |
|
TOTAL Curricular |
13 |
26-39 |
39-52 |
Total your estimated hours for both curricular and extra curricular activities.
Deena: Brian, how is your list coming along? You mentioned sleep. How many hours did you allow for sleep each week?
Brian: Oh, about five hours a night, so about thirty-five hours. But, sometimes I'm so tired that I can't help but fall asleep in class.
Deena: No! Now, even you know that isn't a good way to spend your time in the classroom. You should be actively listening and taking notes. I know each person has different needs for sleep, but I think you should allocate about eight hours each night.
Brian: That's fifty-six hours!
Deena: Right! Cutting back on sleep isn't a very good time management strategy. Sleeping is also a necessity! Add the average number of hours you sleep per night; or day, or whenever you do your sleeping to your total. Many experts recommend eight hours of sleep per night.
|
Sleep |
8 |
|
TOTAL Estimated Sleep per Week |
56 |
There are 168 hours in one week. The sample worksheets show that 56 hours have already been estimated for sleep, leaving just 112 to be allocated.
You may not be surprised by the totals you see in your own estimated time logs. Others will be amazed, frustrated, or feel as though things are totally out of their control.
