Grasping Time: The Importance of Time Management for the Adult Student Richard Glazer COLL100 Foundations of Online Learning American Public University Daniel Green Grasping Time: The Importance of Time Management for the Adult Student Adults in ever increasing numbers have returned to school. Reasons for returning vary but regardless, adult students are an increasing presence in the classroom. While adults have the experience and wisdom over the younger students, adults are at a disadvantage due to real-life issues from employment to families.

Adults once again have to learn how to manage their time to make the learning process easier. It is widely known that adults experiences during the first year of school has an impact on their second year commitment and whether they’ll finish their degree. Van der Meer, J. , Jansen E. and Torenbeek, M. (2010, November). I will explore ways first year students can manage their time and make their learning experience more fulfilling. Over 50% of all adult students work full or part time. Siebert, A. and Karr, M. (2008).

This has a drastic effect on the learning process because it is mandatory for the adult student’s personal or family survival. For every hour of class, a student can expect two to three hours of homework. Time management techniques for the adult student (2011). If a adult students take six hours a week and work a full time job, he has a major commitment. Add in the time for driving to and from work, personal commitments and other issues, an adult can quickly run out of time in a day. How then can a student balance work, school and personal commitments?

To find time, an adult student should first make a schedule of his weekly errands, activities and commitments. While a calendar is good, a schedule allows you more space to write along with the times when the errand, activity or commitment takes place. Students taking online classes are more flexible than the brink-and-mortar students. The adult student should make a list starting with non-flexible commitments like work, school and mandatory commitments. Next make a list of the flexible commitments like kids activities, sports, errands, etc. Time management techniques for the adult student (2011).

Next the student should find a list with seven columns with the day marked at least hourly. Student should enter the non-flexible commitments first followed by the flexible appointments. Commute times are tallied as well. The open times can then be picked and reserved for studying, meals, etc. It is very important to share this schedule with family and friends. The adult student should stress that their study times require their family and friend’s support so they can do their schoolwork effectively. If the student’s family and friends respect their study times, their study times will be productive.

Time management techniques for the adult student (2011). Multitasking and delegation are very important. Time management techniques for the adult student (2011). Read and study whenever possible. A perfect time to study is while doing laundry or at the kid’s practice. A voice recorder is good for gathering thoughts and notes for an assignment or paper during a long commute. It is important for the student to set aside time for the family so that it doesn’t feel like the whole day is work and school. Delegate routine duties to family or friends.

Ask the wife, another family member or a friend to take the kids to practice or an appointment. The study area has an impact on the student’s studying. Failure to have a good study area actually wastes time and leads to loss of concentration. For sake of productive study time, a study area should be as comfortable as possible for the student, distractions kept to a minimum and kept organized. A study area should be comfortable. Eight tips on creating a good study area (accessed 10/20/2011). The study area should have a desk and comfortable chair that is soft but not too soft.

There should be good lighting but without glare. The area should be organized with the desk having adequate supplies. The question the student should ask before studying should be if there is anything else they may need. Keep distractions to a minimum. The student should turn off their cell phone and turn the music down to a comfortable level if it helps the student to study. Music without words should be on. The student’s study area should have plenty of space to study without being crammed. Eight tips on creating a good study area (accessed 10/20/2011).

It is important for the student to keep track of time. If the student has been studying for 45 minutes, take a 10 minute break to walk around or go to the bathroom. The student should make sure that they don’t exceed their scheduled time allotment for studying. A stopwatch or cooking timer can help the student keep track of their study and break times. It is important for the student to take the time to clean and straighten up their study area once their study session is done. Eight tips on creating a good study area (accessed 10/20/2011). This is the time to restock supplies like pencils, pens, paper, etc.

Sometimes it’s a good idea for the student to consider other areas to study as well to break up the routine. A library or a classroom is a good getaway area to get some studying if something is going on back at the house. Schools are realizing how important an adult student’s experience is in determining if he will drop out of school during his first year or not commit for his second year. Van der Meer, J. , Jansen E. and Torenbeek, M. (2010, November). Schools are under pressure to try to keep adult students by coming up with ways to help them cope with the increased schoolwork.

Schools like the American Public University System have taken that first step with the College 100 class. This class is mandatory class for first year students that teaches them skills like time management to give them the tools to be successful in school. This is an example that should be utilized by all schools. Time management is essential for an adult’s perceived experience of school. An adult student who cannot manage his time will start to fall behind in classes as he will never have the time to get his schoolwork done. Colleges have come to this conclusion as well.

Colleges like APU have taken that step to help its students to succeed with classes like COLL100. Adult students who learn time management skills will have the tools to create a favorable first-year experience and most likely will commit to a second year. This is a win/win for both the school and the student. References Eight tips on creating a good study area (accessed 10/20/2011) Retrieved from http://www. oocities. org/matthewhudock/StudyRoom. pdf Siebert, A. and Karr, M. (2008) The adult student’s guide to survival & success, 6th ed.

Portland, OR: Practical Psychology Press Time management techniques for the adult student (2011). Retrieved from http://www. essortment. com/time-management-techniques-adult-students-34223. html Time management tips for the adult college student (2008). Retrieved from http://www. associatedcontent. com/article/530573/time_management_tips_for_the_adult. html Van der Meer, J. , Jansen E. and Torenbeek, M. (2010, November) ‘It’s almost a mindset that teachers need to change’: first? year students’ need to be inducted into time management. Studies in Higher Education, 35 (7), 777-791, doi: 10. 1080/03075070903383211