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[biostudent]

I really need to improve my time management skills.  Does anyone have any suggestions regarding a "system" that has worked for them?

[thehighking]

Something that someone suggested to me awhile ago, that I do religiously is the following:

1. Every night make a list of things that you want to accomplish tomorrow. Could be read articles, finish writing X, talk to student Y, whatever. (Include even chores and/or non-academic things). Meticulously cross things off as you accomplish them.

2. At the end of every week, sit down and review what you accomplished that week. Write it down.

If you feel like the progress is too slow, figure out where you are losing time and why. Work to improve it next week, etc.

I know a bit vague...but it's worked well for me. Also, I would avoid--until you get onto a proper schedule--any distractions such as Facebook, online forums (sorry Chronicle!), etc.

[sugaree]

We had a discussion about organization this summer (can't find the thread? it was more about messy houses, though, than messy minds). Anyway, what emerged strongly is that there are "list people" and "non-list people." If you are a non-list person, and your OP doesn't make that clear one way or the other, I would suggest that you not start now. Because if you've never made a list before to organize your time, making one could help. But, it could also take up all your time because you're making lists (and thus getting nothing else done).

I am clearly not a list person. But I do set aside (in my mind) blocks of time for what I'm going to be working on the next day. Really, there is no magic bullet. You just have to be ruthless with yourself.