There are perhaps more adult learners now than ever before. This, in turn, means that many people are also busier than ever before. Effective time management is crucial for adult learners if they are to achieve well in their studies and continue to run their existing daily lives.
Returning to study after a long period can be daunting. Study skills are like a muscle that needs to be exercised and, similarly, they can become rusty if they have not been used for a while. However, more and more adults are taking up new courses in order to gain qualifications or to develop their skills in other ways. Furthermore, many such adult learners are balancing busy lives and incorporating paid employment and family commitments. Fitting study into an already busy lifestyle can take some work. However, with careful planning, it is possible to manage time to encompass the new studies along with everything else.
Many adult learners suppose that one or two classes per week will not affect their existing lives (Essortment, 2011). However, it is important to remember that for each hour spent on campus or with a tutor, several hours need to be spent conducting independent study.
Adult learners need to ensure they are getting enough sleep, and they may also be sustaining paid employment alongside. Therefore, it is vital not just to learn, but additionally to recognise and implement effective time management techniques to help balance life and study (Essortment, 2011).
Some people find it helpful to put together a weekly time table of all commitments and tasks, writing in different colours according to the flexibility level of each commitment. Commitments of the whole family ought to be entered into the time table so the adult learner can see exactly what they have to achieve over the course of the week. From there, they can enter in time for study. Having a timetable mapped out can prove critical in adhering to a learning discipline (Essortment, 2011).
For adult learners, it is likely that family commitments will take up a great deal of time. Where there are children in the household, this issue is exacerbated. Most people will agree that their families are their first priority. It is entirely possible to work studies around family commitments without children missing out. If the schedule is detailed enough, it is possible to have anything to do with the children in the darkest colour, to demonstrate that those times are not at all flexible. Then, everything else can be slotted in around them. Priorities must remain as such, though learning should be a relatively high priority as well.
Another area in which planning is vital is when writing assignments. When putting aside time to work, and entering it into the schedule, it is important to be realistic. It can be tempting to underestimate how long tasks will take, in order to fit more into the day. However, such underestimations will cause the student to overrun and may lose motivation in the first week of study (UNSW, 2012).
According to the University of New South Wales (2012), adult learners should avoid perfectionism as it unlikely that they have enough time to make every assignment perfect. Furthermore, if a student uses too much time on one assignment then they will not have enough time for the rest of their workload. It is also vital to allow enough thinking time when completing assignments. Thinking is as important as researching and even writing the piece.
A helpful way of increasing available time is to create it. For example, when travelling on public transport, the student could read, work or listen to lectures through ear phones, to make the most efficient use of time. Another time saving technique is to visit a local community library rather than travelling to the university campus every time a book is needed. Additionally, it is likely that the local library’s database will have an online search facility that can be accessed from the student’s home.
It is important to consider the timing of 'moveable' projects. While the majority of assignments have rigid deadlines, others can be flexible. When selecting a time to do a presentation, for example, think through other assignment deadlines and try to stagger the dates so that there is not a rush for many assignments all in the same week.
Studying around the demands of a family will challenge your time management, but won't make it impossible. As with most elements of effective time management, planning ahead is the key. For example, it can be helpful to study at the same time each day. This way, children will get to know the routine. Furthermore, it is important that the student explains to the children how important their studies are for the whole family. Additionally, planning activities for children can make life easier. After all, if children are occupied and happy, this will make studying much easier. Alternatively, the student could consider enlisting the help of a family member of baby sitter for some of their study times.
Leaving assignments, and other tasks, until the last minute is not a good idea, and this is even more true when children are involved. Furthermore, an adult learner should not feel guilt for studying. After all, the whole family will benefit once the studies are over (UNSW, 2012). It is possible that a career change or promotion will be in store once the course is finished and the qualification achieved. Whatever the student’s goals, and reasons for studying, these should be kept at the forefront of theirs and their family’s minds.
More academic institutions are welcoming adult learners as the years progress. It is now very common for adults to be returning to study, particularly in the west. Studying as an adult can be fulfilling, beneficial, and even fun. However, in order to get the most out of their studies, such students need to learn to manage their time effectively. Commitments such as paid employment, children and households are just a few examples of what many adult learners have to juggle every day. However, with careful planning and realistic thinking, adult learners can achieve everything that they wish to, without negatively affecting other priorities.
References
Granola, J, Growth, M and Burchett, D 2009, dealing with the stress of College: A Model for Adult Students, Adult Education Quarterly, 246-263, 10.1177/07411360933149
Pritchard, Robert, 2006,The Mature Student’s Guide to Higher Education, Open University Press, Maidenhead, England, April, 25 2019,
Meg Keeley, 1997, Managing your Time and Study Environment, April 23 2012,
http://faculty,bucks.edu/specpop/timemanage.htm
Knowles, Malcolm, Holton, Richard, 2005, the Adult Learner, Gulf Publishing, Houston,
Texas, 1973
UNSW. (2012). First Steps. Retrieved from http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/firststeps/nsl_time.html
Essortment. (2011). Time Management for Adult Students. Retrieved from http://www.essortment.com/time-management-techniques-adult-students-34223.html
