A VIRTUAL LECTURE SEMINAR
THE NATIONAL WHATSAPP PLATFORM: FEDERATION OF ESE-ODO LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDENTS (FELGOS).
TROPIC : “MASTERING TIME MANAGEMENT FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS”.
DATE: 8TH FEBRUARY, 2025.
TIME: 7:30-8:30 PM
DURATION: ONE HOUR.
MR.BELIZITE KEMINI (QUEST SPEAKER)
INTRODUCTION
Good evening, greatest students!
It’s no less an honour as a guest speaker before you, to unpack the significance of academic success as it relates to mastering time management.
Thank you for your presence and rousing welcome as we begin on this very crucial time management crusade.
Let me start by saying that time has universal relevance and, this is premised on the fact that, everything on earth is time bound. It’s infinite when attached to nothing but becomes finite when relates to tasks. It’s progressive and no one questions its speed.Time is life, time not managed is a life not managed.The saying that “Procrastination is the thief of time”~Edward Young is true but the author was very liberal, Procrastination is a waste of life equivalent called “time”, figuratively speaking, time is life. No wonder it’s measured in seconds, minutes, Hours, days weeks, months, years with each moment with significant events, time is everything etc.This informs the reason, time management is significant, not limited to academic success but virtually every facet of life.
Of note is the saying that “Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away
” ~Marcus Aurelius.
This implies that what happens to any individual, success or failure is determined by how he or she manages time. No wonder, Benjamin Franklin once said “You may delay, but time will not”. Again, he further stressed that, “lost time is never found again”. These are timeless and undeniable realities, capable of mitigating time wasting in an academic environment by students, but are significant treasures to the willing who decide to live with that consciousness, hope, this opportunity will make us adopt this privilege. These facts align with one of my critical views on the concept of truth that goes thus: When the truth sounds, countless are the repelling ears with a scorning mentality for future regrets. May this never be our experience as we delve into the details of the lecture before us; “Mastering Time Management For Academic Success”.
MASTERING TIME MANAGEMENT.
It means being in charge of one’s time, having detailed knowledge of its critical nature and importance with respect to specific tasks; academic success in this circumstance but actually beyond it. This means that mastering time signifies being in charge of one’s life, bearing in mind that success, failure, and even every phase of existence is time-bound. Of note is the fact that, it’s impossible to master anything without learning it, not just that, but with apt attention, committing devotion and consistently, time is not spared, it must be managed, not only effectively but efficiently, too.
Significantly, mastering time for academic success requires being abreast of how it must be managed to access the benefits thereof.This must be one major reason, Academic success must be fixed into the equation of mastering time management. Furthering from this preceding resolve, It’s now necessary to ask the critical question:
WHERE IS ACADEMIC SUCCESS WITHOUT TIME ELEMENT? YOUR HONEST ANSWER IS AS GOOD AS MINE.
Academic success is the attainment/achievement of any academic goal pursued by a student or group of students over a specific duration within a formal institution. It could be primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.This is achieved through commitment to studies and adherence to the rules and regulations of the institutions.Nothing in the academic environment exists without the element of time and no student or lecturer etc can succeed without it. In essence, the primary aim of students within the academic environment which certification after meeting the requirements is specifically time defined. Let me seize this opportunity to state that academic success is progressive and not a sudden emergence. It is progressive in the sense that, the cumulative success is a combination of fragments of successes over time. For this reason, I considered academic success to be both formative and summative just as academic failure.The formative academic success means segments of brilliant performances recorded by students through assignments, tests, presentations, and examinations every semester throughout the duration of his/her course of study. Neglecting any element of the formative phase, means disregarding the overall academic success.This is very essential. It lays *a* solid foundation for the summative academic success to strive, which in essence represents the sum total of all the successes made over a period of time, upon which the institution awards certificate to crown students’ efforts irrespective of grades differences. You are expected to imagine why individual grades differ, commitment to time management makes the difference. May I recall again that academic success is impossible without effective time management.This implies that time is a priceless asset in pursuing academic success.Therefore any student who undermines the place of time cannot add academic values to himself/herself.This is why mastering Time Management in both academic environment or outside the school cannot be overstated. It’s therefore, my honest view that time management skills must be found on the fingertips of students to aid their academic performance at every level of education, time management mastery is key.
TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS.
Time management refers to the process of planning and controlling how to allocate time to achieve specific goals, objectives, and tasks. It involves the effective use of time to maximize productivity, efficiency, and quality of work, while minimising stress and achieving a better work-life balance. Academic success in essence cannot be achieved without effective time management.Therefore,
mastering time management is crucial to academic success and it is only possible by effective and intentional adoption of The following time management techniques or skills, among others.They can help students optimise their time management skills and maximize success.
Principally, goal setting is sacrosanct. It is a strategic process of identifying specific, measurable objectives and creating actionable plans to achieve them within a defined timeframe. It provides direction, purpose, and motivation to individuals and organisations. Whether for personal development, career advancement, or business growth, goals help to clarify what matters most, ensuring focused and efficient progress toward desired outcomes.
What is the Importance of Goal Setting?
Goal setting is fundamental for several reasons, as it provides both individuals and organisations with a strategic framework to drive academic excellence and success.
Establishing clear goals gives direction, align time with specific targets. It also cultivates motivation by giving students the zeal to strive toward sustaining their focus and determination. By doing that, bear in mind the elements in goal setting captured in Edwin Locke and Gary Latham goal setting theory such as;
Clarity, commitment, feedback through personal evaluation, and with the aim of enhancing performance in pursuit of academic success. Note also that the goal must be:
Specific,
Measurable,
Achievable ,
Relevance, and
Timely. Others are:
1. Effective Scheduling
-Create a master schedule: Plan out your entire semester, including assignment due dates, exam dates, and study sessions.
-Break down large tasks: Divide big projects into smaller, manageable chunks, and allocate specific time slots for each task.
-Set realistic goals: Be honest about how much time you have available and what you can accomplish in that time.
2. Prioritisation and Focus
– Identify most challenging tasks: Tackle the toughest assignments or study sessions first, when you’re most focused.
-Eliminate distractions: Minimise social media, email, and phone notifications during study sessions.
-Use the Pomodoro Technique: Study in focused, 25-minute increments, followed by a 5-minute break.
3. Time Management Tools
-Digital calendars: Utilize Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or other digital tools to stay organized.
-Task management apps: Explore apps like Trello, Asana, or To do list to help you stay on top of assignments and deadlines.
-Planners and notebooks: Use physical tools to supplement your digital organisation system.
4. Self-Care and Time Management
-Schedule breaks: Make time for relaxation, exercise, and socialsing to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
-Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to ensure you’re well-rested and focused for the next day.
-Stay organised: Keep your living and study spaces organized, this will help you quickly find the resources you need.
5. Review and Adjust.
-Regularly review your schedule: Assess your progress, adjust your schedule as needed, and celebrate your accomplishments.
-Identify time-wasting habits: Be honest about where you’re spending too much time and make adjustments to optimise your time usage.
BENEFITS OF MASTERING TIME MANAGEMENT.
Mastering time management is necessary for academic success.This can never be overemphasised.Some of the benefits of effective time management for students include:
1. Improved grades: By prioritising tasks and managing time effectively, students can complete assignments on time, leading to better grades.attend classes regularly.
2. Reduced stress: Effective time management helps students avoid last-minute cramming, reducing stress and anxiety.
3. Increased productivity: By focusing on the most important tasks, students can accomplish more in less time.
4. Better work-life balance: Time management enables students to balance academic responsibilities with extracurricular activities, social life, and personal well-being.
5. Enhanced organisation: Mastering time management helps students develop essential organisational skills, including prioritisation, goal-setting, and self-monitoring.
6. More free time: By managing time effectively, students can create more free time for relaxation, leisure activities, or pursuing hobbies.
7. Improved time estimation: Students learn to estimate the time required for tasks accurately, avoiding under or overestimation.
8. Developing essential life skills: Mastering time management helps students develop essential life skills, such as self-discipline, responsibility, and accountability.
9. Increased confidence: Effective time management boosts students’ confidence in their ability to manage their time, leading to increased motivation and self-esteem.
10. Better preparation for future challenges: Mastering time management prepares students for the demands of higher education, careers, and personal life, where effective time management is crucial for success.
CHALLENGES OF MASTERING TIME MANAGEMENT
Mastering time management for academic success is loaded with numerous challenges but let’s consider the following briefly.
–Procrastination: Putting off tasks until the last minute, leading to rushed and subpar work.
–Distractions: Social media, email, phone notifications, and other digital distractions can derail focus.
–Overcommitting: Taking on too many tasks, responsibilities, or activities, leading to burnout.
–Lack of prioritization: Failing to identify and focus on the most important tasks, leading to wasted time.
–Inconsistent scheduling: Failing to establish a regular routine or schedule, leading to confusion and disorganisation.
–Poor time estimation: Underestimating or overestimating the time required for tasks, leading to delays or rushed work.
–Multitasking: Trying to do multiple things at once, leading to divided attention and decreased productivity.
–Perfectionism: Spending too much time on a single task, trying to make it perfect, leading to an imbalance in time allocation.
–Avoiding breaks: Failing to take regular breaks, leading to burnout and decreased productivity.
–Lack of accountability: Failing to set clear goals, track progress, or hold oneself accountable for time management.
SOLUTIONS TO MASTERING TIME MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES.
Potential solutions to mastering time management challenges are:
1. Avoid Procrastination by
-Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks
-Set clear goals and deadlines
-Create a schedule and stick to it
-Use the Pomodoro Technique (work focused 25-minute increments, followed by a 5-minute break) perhaps
2. Minimise distractions with the following:
-Turn off notifications for non-essential apps
-Use website blockers (e.g., Freedom, SelfControl) to limit social media and other distracting websites
-Create a conducive study environment (e.g., quiet, comfortable, minimal distractions)
-Schedule breaks to check social media or respond to messages
3. Mitigate over commitment if unavoidable.
-Learn to say “no” to non-essential commitments.
-Prioritise tasks and focus on the most important ones
-Delegate tasks when possible
-Leave buffer time in your schedule for unexpected tasks or emergencies
4. Promote of Prioritisation.
-Identify your most important tasks and focus on those first
-Use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks into urgent vs. important
-Set clear goals and objectives.
-Regularly review and adjust your priorities
5. Eradicate Inconsistent Scheduling through
-Creating a master schedule that includes all tasks, appointments, and deadlines
-Setting reminders and notifications to stay on track
-Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks
-Leaving buffer time in your schedule for unexpected tasks or emergencies
6. Poor Time Estimation. This can be prevented by
-Track how long tasks take to complete
-Use historical data to estimate time required for similar tasks
-Pad your estimates by 10-20% to account for unexpected delays
-Regularly review and adjust your time estimates
7. Reduce Multitasking load so as to:
-Focus on a single task at a time
-Use the Pomodoro Technique to work in focused increments
-Eliminate distractions (e.g., turn off notifications, find a quiet workspace)
-Take breaks to recharge and refocus
8. Perfectionism.This approach enhance
-Setting realistic expectations for yourself.
Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, appropriately.
-Focusing on making progress rather than achieving perfection
-A regularly reviewing and adjusting personal academic goals and expectations
9. Encourage Break to avoid stress thus:
-Schedule regular breaks to recharge and refocusS
-set the Pomodoro Technique to work in focused increments, followed by a break
-Take breaks to do something enjoyable or relaxing
-Regularly review and adjust your break schedule
10. Encourage Accountability
-Set clear goals and objectives
-Create a schedule and stick to it
-Share your goals and schedule with a friend or accountability partner
-Regularly review and adjust your progress with your accountability partner.
Mastering time management requires a combination of strategies, skills, and mindset shifts. This outline will provide a clear roadmap for overcoming common time management challenges.
By executing these potential solutions, individuals can develop effective time management skills,h leading to reduced stress, and increased Academic excellence and ultimate success.
These solutions are not limited to academic success but can also be applied in various contexts, including, private institutions, professionals and other settings.No doubt, by mastering time management, individuals can achieve a better work-life balance,H increase their efficiency, and reach their goals timely and tremendously.
INTERACTIVE SESSION.
(QUESTIONS, INPUT AND REACTIONS).
MY PARTING SORT.
Poor time management is poor life management.
Nothing works without effective time management.
Life itself is time-bound and all activities thereof.
No one can succeed in any academic venture without time management. All activities in school are tied to time.
Success is progressive so as failure and each passing moment (time)count.
Every moment is a unit of time and all significant occurrences are without each passing moment.
Procrastination is a waste of life, life is time.
All time management mastery efforts fail when the element of self discipline is not inculcated.
People fail in school not only because of cognitive deficiency, but because of poor time management. This is from the point of knowledge.
Thank you for listening
