Workshops and Outreach Groups

Topics: Time Management

Protecting Your Time

Turning down an invitation to a party or other social doesn't mean that you'll never be asked to do something again. Making a decision based on what you believe is best for you at the time usually leads to more respect from your friends -- not less -- rather than a reputation as a party-pooper.

Here are some strategies for protecting your time:

• Put a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door... And be firm with friends or family that you need the time to study.
• Don't be afraid to say, "No" without feeling guilty. If you're not committed to something, don't do it!
• Learn how to delegate. This can ease the time commitments you have made.
• Avoid phone calls while you're studying. They can be enormously distracting and eat into your study time. Let the answering machine or voice mail do the job for you (that's why you got them, didn't you?) If the call is important, the person will call back.
• Learn effective assertiveness skills. If you find that others don't respect your time, learn more effective skills that will help you deal with relationships better.