Time Management    

Understand that in order to succeed, some existing responsibilities and commitments may have to be set aside so that the new dedication to graduate studies can fit into an already tight schedule. Over-commitment creates stress and exhaustion, which dulls one’s ability to work at the cognitive level necessary for successful completion of graduate course work. Time management is an important skill for successfully navigating graduate studies and is a valued skill in the workplace.

A few suggestions to keep organized and avoid over-committing oneself might be to keep a calendar handy and write down a schedule: due dates for assignments, family commitments, study time, etc., and check the calendar daily. Setting goals is a good way to keep projects on track. For example, if a paper is due at the end of the week, break the paper into several parts with the ultimate goal of having the paper completed two or three days ahead of time. Time must be set aside in the schedule for reading and studying, thus this schedule should be shared with family and friends so that they can assure uninterrupted study time. Avoid procrastination at all costs. Procrastination creates a stressful situation that compromises the quality of work and leads to poor working habits. GCU is in the business of building professional skills in its graduate students; skills necessary to meet the demands of a graduate degree and the working professional world.

An important component of a graduate student’s schedule is knowing how to set limits and enjoy quality free time without dwelling on school. Graduate students can make choices about how they allocate their time and sometimes there is a cost to those choices. However, a positive attitude about the family’s needs as well as personal needs can make all the difference in the world between a disappointing performance and a renewed energy and focus.