Time Management

truern · Jan 12, 2009

I start my core nursing classes next week and I realized I have horrible time managment. I'm working 3 days a week, have school 3 days a week. I don't have kids but I have a new puppy at home and I am lucky enough to still live my parents free of rent. However, I do the majority of the cleaning around the house and it's hard for me to keep up. I also have a boyfriend who is Iraq until May and online is my only way to talk to him, we're used to five hour conversations.
Does anyone have advice on how to manage my time, things that have worked for you?
Thank you!

Sorry, just giggling here because I doubt hubby and I have an actual HOUR talking each day and we LIVE together!

I'd start with cutting down on online time with boyfriend in Iraq.

Besides...when you start your classes you'll find out fast that you won't HAVE five hours to devote to him...not if you're studying at all.

misswhitney · Jan 12, 2009

I make myself a schedule. It keeps me motivated and I enjoy feeling like I did something I was suppose to. A to-do list also helps, but a schedule helps you to keep track of how much time on everything you spend. Your boyfriend should understand if you have to cut your 5 hour convos to 3 hours or such but since you have no kids, you might still be able to have 5 hours. Just don't drain yourself and make sure you still have "you" time.

sproeber89 · Jan 12, 2009

yes I know we spend a lot of time talking but usually it's through text messaging so I am getting other things done, I guess I just realize for him how hard it is to be in Iraq and we both know I'm kind of his refuge from all the fighting and stuff.

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jan 12, 2009

I think a schedule is the way to go as well. I use google calendar and put in ALL my stuff to do: wake kids, remind kids to get up, vacuum, water plants, son school start, Mom's school starts, start dinner, exercise (I tend to skip this one a lot, lol). I then have it set up where not only does it pop up on my computer, but I have it send me a text message on my phone to remind me as well. This has really helped me, especially the little things like remembering to remind my son to brush before bed. I also add my to do stuff on the calendar, if I don't get it done that day I just slide it to the next day.

I also have the google calendar on my blackberry that syncs with the one on the net, so if I am lying in bed to go to sleep and something pops into my head (about 15 things the other night) I just put it on there. It helps me majorly with time management. My biggest wasteful thing is the Net, I am on ALL THE TIME, so I have to bring myself under control and I do it by my calendar.

BTW - my hubby and I spent about the same talking on phones when we weren't together, between the US and Canada. We had some $1000 phone bills, yikes! I wish we had texting back then. I wouldn't worry about the texting, you can fit that in almost anywhere....as long as its not in the middle of class. :) Good luck!!

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 12, 2009

I have a to do list as well. I love it ! It helps me to stay focus on the tasks ahead. I never get behind on class work or studying, because I have time increments on my to do list. I would definetly cut down on the conversations with the BF. I have a BF, and we are inseperatable... I went from seeing him 7 days a week, to just only two days a week if not less. However, since you don't work I can see 2-3 hours a day, but not 5 ! Good luck c- school.