50 Helping Students Self-Regulate and Manage Their Time
Time management and self-regulation are crucial skills for academic success, yet many students struggle with balancing competing demands. Instructors can play a pivotal role in fostering these abilities by creating clear structures, providing resources, and encouraging reflection. By integrating elements of transparency, offering practical tools, and building in opportunities for feedback and accountability, instructors can guide students toward better habits and improved outcomes.
Key Strategies for Supporting Time Management and Self-Regulation
1. Emphasize Transparency in Task Expectations
Building on the TILT (Transparency in Learning and Teaching) framework, instructors can design assignments and activities that are clear and accessible to all students.
- Clearly Define Tasks
- Provide detailed instructions that outline what students are expected to do, how they will be assessed, and why the task is important.
- Example: Instead of assigning “Write a paper on X,” specify: “Write a 3-5 page analytical paper discussing X, using at least three peer-reviewed sources. Submit a draft for feedback by [date].”
- Estimate Time Requirements
- Include realistic time estimates for each task to help students plan their schedules.
- Example: “Reading this article should take approximately 30-45 minutes, and writing your reflection will take another 20-30 minutes.”
- Provide Models and Examples
- Share examples of successful work to give students a clearer understanding of expectations.
2. Embed Feedback Opportunities
Opportunities for feedback help students gauge their progress and adjust their strategies.
- Scaffold Assignments
- Break larger tasks into smaller components with deadlines and feedback at each stage.
- Example: A research project could include a topic proposal, annotated bibliography, draft, and final submission, each with time for instructor or peer feedback.
- Offer Self-Check Prompts
- Include questions or rubrics for students to evaluate their own work before submission.
- Example: “Have I addressed all parts of the prompt? Is my thesis clear? Have I cited sources correctly?”
- Normalize Iteration
- Encourage students to view feedback as part of the learning process rather than a final judgment.
3. Share Time Management Tools and Resources
Providing students with practical tools can empower them to organize their time effectively.
- Introduce Planning Tools
- Share templates for time management, such as weekly planners, study schedules, or online tools like Google Calendar, Trello, or Notion.
- Example: Offer a downloadable spreadsheet with columns for tasks, deadlines, estimated time, and progress tracking.
- Promote Use of Apps and Software
- Recommend apps like Pomofocus (Pomodoro technique), Forest (time tracking), or MyStudyLife (task organization).
- Integrate Time Audits
- Encourage students to track their time for a week to understand how they allocate it and identify areas for improvement.
- Example: Ask students to record how much time they spend on studying, attending class, and leisure, then reflect on the balance.
4. Build Reflection into Course Activities
Encouraging students to reflect on their time management habits can improve their self-awareness and regulation.
- Include Time Reflection Prompts
- After a major assignment or project, ask students to reflect on how they planned and managed their time.
- Example Questions:
- “How much time did you dedicate to this task? Was it sufficient?”
- “What strategies worked well for managing your time, and what would you change?”
- Use Mid-Semester Check-Ins
- Include a reflection activity midway through the term to help students evaluate their time management and make adjustments.
- Example: “What is one thing you could start, stop, or continue doing to improve your study habits?”
- Incorporate Metacognitive Wrappers
- Combine reflection with learning by using exam or assignment wrappers.
- Example: “Before you begin studying for the final, outline how you plan to prepare and how you will track your progress.”
5. Foster a Supportive Environment
Help students feel supported in their efforts to manage time and self-regulate.
- Acknowledge Challenges
- Validate that time management is a skill to be learned, not an inherent trait.
- Example: Share stories of your own struggles with time management and how you overcame them.
- Encourage Peer Support
- Create opportunities for students to share tips and strategies with one another, such as in discussion boards or study groups.
- Provide Flexibility When Possible
- Recognize that students’ circumstances vary and offer reasonable flexibility with deadlines or extensions when appropriate.
Bringing It All Together: Supporting Lifelong Skills
Instructors who integrate transparency, feedback, tools, and reflection into their courses help students develop critical time management and self-regulation skills. These abilities not only improve academic performance but also prepare students for personal and professional success. By modeling effective strategies and fostering a growth-oriented mindset, instructors empower students to take ownership of their learning and thrive in both academic and non-academic contexts.
High-Impact Tips from ETSU Instructors
I usually direct my students to the Feynman technique and Pomodoro method.
I recommend a couple of modifications if you are new to having to structure your time and tasks in this way:
- Customize your time blocks as needed. If you are really struggling for focus and find yourself staring into space at the 10 minute mark, take your break then and then come back and try to get to 12-15-20-25 minutes as you build up stamina.
- If you are really engaged with a topic skip 1 break and continue – but take your break at the 50 minute mark
Each session should have a specific and quantifiable goal (e.g. I want to be able to answer these specific questions versus I am going to review my notes). You should be able to identify whether you met your goal or need more time with your goal.
Clear your distractions:
- Don’t have your phone out – if using it as a timer then set the alarm and put it out of site.
- Use website blockers such as Leechblock, Block Site, or Mindful Browsing if studying on a device to block social media access.
- Don’t study with the TV on or any access to social media. Those are things to do during your break.
I also usually run a first-day activity for all of my students on study strategies and techniques as a small group discussion.
Action Plan for Success – In Person (Stephen Rice ETSU)
Stephen Rice | Health Sciences
AI Attribution Statement
This section on Helping Students Self-Regulate and Manage Their Time was developed using AI-assisted drafting based on previously generated content from this guide.
Use of AI in Section Development
- ChatGPT (OpenAI) was used to synthesize and refine strategies for time management, self-regulation, and academic planning, ensuring consistency with research-based best practices already outlined in this guide.
- The AI-assisted process included restructuring and clarifying key insights, making the content more cohesive and practical for educators and students.
- While AI-assisted drafting provided organizational support and refinement, all final content was reviewed, revised, and aligned with the broader themes of self-directed learning and metacognitive skill development.
This section remains grounded in research-based teaching strategies and aligns with best practices in supporting student success.
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