Self-Assessment

Score each statement from one (this is not typical of me) up to five (this is very typical of me).


1. I find myself pacing and planning my tasks throughout the term, and I am rarely stressed about deadlines and commitments.

2. I set aside time every week for planning, scheduling and setting out my priorities.

3. I create a realistic and achievable daily “to do” list.

4. I know which tasks are high, medium and low priority. 

5. The tasks I work on first during the day are the ones with the highest priority.

6. I prioritize the tasks I have to do in terms of their importance and urgency. 

7. I begin working on semester-long projects early in the term.

8. I begin reviewing my notes and studying for an exam from the first week that material is assigned or covered in the lecture.

9. I set specific, achievable short-term goals to help decide what tasks and activities I should work on and determine what I should study.

10. I think about the future, set long-term goals for myself, and understand the steps required to achieve these goals.

11. I leave contingency time in my schedule for unexpected or unplanned interruptions.

12. I take breaks and practise self-care, and I have developed clear boundaries between my social life and work life.

13. I begin my study time with my most difficult tasks first. 

14. I break down my tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.

15. I use small gaps in my schedule to chip away at relatively complex tasks.  

16. I set deadlines for myself if they are not provided for me, and I share my plans and goals with others to increase my accountability.

17. I anticipate things that will distract me, and I manage or minimize those distractions so that I can focus on my work.

18. I complete most of my studying during my most productive hours each day. 

19. I use a calendar or spreadsheet to track all of my assignments and test deadlines.

20. I study one to three hours for every one hour I spend in lecture.

21. I know how much time I spend on the various tasks I complete.

22. I use a study planner to keep track of the hours I spend studying and ensure I review course content at the most optimum times.

23. Before I take on a new task, I assess whether or not I can balance it.

24. I concentrate on one important task at a time, and I avoid multitasking. 

25. I think of being a full-time student as I would a full-time job.


These statements are all strategies to manage your time effectively! 


There are 25 statements in this list, and each is ranked from 1 to 5. Your total score can range anywhere from a low of 25 to a high of 125. If you scored at the lower end of this range – say, below 50 – you need to work on your time management strategies. You have already developed some robust time management strategies if you scored at the higher end of this range – say, above 85. See if you can get all of your scores to a 4 or 5 to meet your deadlines and commitments consistently.