INTRODUCTION
“We all have time to either spend or waste and it is our decision what to do with it. But once
passed, it is gone forever.”
- Bruce Lee (“Zen in the Martial Arts” by Joe Hyams)
Every individual on earth has the same amount of time - 60 seconds in a minute; 60 minutes
in an hour; 1,440 minutes in a day; and 525,600 minutes in a year. While a vast majority of people
confesses faltering to come to grips with it, extremely few can claim to have made the most of it.
How is it that they have got it all done? It’s because they have managed a way to figure out how
to manage their time effectively.
Time management is more than just managing time. It is about controlling the use of the
most valuable - and undervalued - resource. It is managing oneself in relation to time. It is setting
priorities and taking charge of the situation and time utilization. It means changing those habits or
activities that cause waste of time. It is being willing to adopt habits and methods to make
maximum use of time.
With good time management skills, one is in control of one’s time, stress and energy levels.
One can maintain balance between one’s work and personal life. One finds enough flexibility to
respond to surprises or new opportunities. It is not how much time one has, but rather the way one
uses it. The bottom line is how well one manages time.
Internationally known authority on time management Dr. Alec Mackenzie in his book The
Time Trap argues that the very idea of time management is a misnomer because one really cannot
manage time in the way other resources can be managed: financial capital, physical capital, human
capital, information and time. While each of the first four can be augmented, reduced, transferred
or otherwise controlled, time cannot be manipulated. Dr. Mackenzie contends that when it comes
to time, one can only manage oneself in relation to it. One cannot control time as one can control
other resources – one can only control how one uses it. In the world in which we live, time cannot
be replaced or re-created. It is therefore not for us to choose whether we spend or save time but to
choose only how we spend it.
Time, of most of the things in life, has no value to be bought. No one is able to control or
direct it to one’s satisfaction. It is simply constant. It moves at the same rate regardless of who you
are and what you are trying to accomplish. Thus, it has no respect to anyone consequently people
would always try to make the most out of their time in accordance to what they believe they must
do first. As people struggle in making most of their time, they have come to the organization of
their activities with different methods, techniques and information which we commonly refer to as
time management.
The youth today has no hold of his/her time; most of them do things randomly or whatever
they face in life. They are socially, mentally and physically busy. A graduating student is being
put on a hectic schedule and much pressure. They are now entering a critical stage of being formed
into the best and last of their college education. Time to them is money, once spent on either
important or unimportant things; it’s taken away from their hands, there is no turning back. Some
would say that the last year of college is almost unbearable; still some are on the top of their game.
Even Sean Covey said that:
“…life for teens is no longer a playground. It’s a jungle out
there…Looking back, I’m actually amazed that I survived. Barely…”
These college students might not have the time for everything but to do more in less time
is an achievement for them. Their time as a senior is mostly spent with school works, different
curricular and co-curricular activities and they obviously get themselves too preoccupied.
From Stephen R. Covey’s point of view there are many beliefs, demands and complaints
of teens which are then reasons of their behavior, habits and how they manage their time.
According to him, these thoughts are some like:
“I need more time...I want to enjoy my life more. I’m always running
around. I never have time for myself…My friends and family want more of
me—but how do I give it to them?...I’m always in crisis because I
procrastinate, but I procrastinate because I’m always in crisis…I have no
balance between my personal life and work…It seems like when I take time
from one for the other, it just makes matters worse…There’s too much
stress…There’s too much to do—and it’s all good. How do I choose?”
Determining the efficiency of the time management of Midwifery II students of Southern
Luzon State University would be beneficial to many and would become a big help for
improvements in managing time.
The findings of this study would be helpful in the following ways:
To the students. This study clearly is intended to help students be conscious and aware of
how they spend their time. Looking on the things they do every day, hopefully it will help them
realize if they’re on the right track.
To the parents and teachers. Having been able to learn how their students/sons/daughters
manage their time, they’ll have a step ahead on guiding and moulding these teens to positively
potential people and better yet to have an open-mind to them.
These points of views have huge impacts on how students plan and make up their daily
routines. Even though they are greatly bothered, there are still instances that tempt students to kill
some of their precious time not minding what’s more important.
This study aims to determine the efficiency of the time management of SLSU Midwifery
Class of 2020. Specifically, it seeks to find answers to the following questions:
1. Have the time management of Midwifery students help them to become a better
student?
2. What are the implications of the findings of the study to the Midwifery student?
3. How important is it to have an efficient time management to Midwifery student?
Name (Optional): __________________________________
TIME MANAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
Always Often Seldom Never
(4) (3) (2) (1)
1. I try to complete one task before going on to the
next.
2. I keep my workspace tidy so I can work
efficiently.
3. I do tasks in order of their importance.
4. I take a positive attitude towards frustration and
failure.
5. I use a highlighter pen or underlining to
emphasize key facts in my lecture notes.
6. I write things down rather than trying to
remember everything in my head.
7. I set my specific and clearly defined goals.
8. I keep to schedule so that I achieve my
objectives on time.
9. I plan out a revision timetable for examinations.
10. I say “no” to others when I am short of time.
11. I have a daily “to do” list that I update regularly.
12. I organize my work to meet deadlines on time.
13. I prioritize tasks so that I do the most important
and urgent first.
14. I share tasks or problems with others if possible.
15. I set myself realistic and achievable goals.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Foreign Literature
Time Management and Its Importance
Getting the most out of every day is what requires one to effectively manage his time.
Learning how to manage time successfully is the key to accomplishing what he must and want.
Time management as defined by the University of Iowa as,
“one of the hardest things to do but one of the most important because
when time is gone—it’s gone, you can’t retrieve it and you can’t store it up for
later use.”
To accomplish one’s goal is another reason why people manage their time. It is stated by
Gene Donohue,
“A goal is realistic if you stand reasonably good odds of accomplishing
it, given enough time and effort—and indeed, mountains can be moved if given
enough time and effort. Almost any goal, no matter how difficult, can be made
easier by breaking it down into several smaller goals, to be tackled one at a
time.”
Time management is given concern globally. The world today is faced with so many
distractions from the advancement of technologies and various entertainments. People are then
confused on what they are to do first while staying focused on their goals. As Stephen Covey
explains from his book “First Things First” most people are driven by the concept of urgency. But
to really effect positive change in our lives, we need to reorganize the way we spend our time;
based on the concept of importance - not urgency.
The ability to get things done and overcome procrastination is one of the most important
skills to master if one wishes to attain balance in life. The point is not just to cut down activities,
but to make sure those important things are done first and not just urgent or things which satisfies
emotions.
Effects of Time Management
Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When things get out of place and put on
dead time, there are a lot of consequences. Cramming is one of the most common habits of students
caused by undone work on time or having to do an activity a blink near the due date. Well, mostly
students are tempted to laze around, do nothing or do whatever they want to especially now that
there are a lot of distractions. Of course, things you don’t like to do do not motivate you.
Sometimes, you choose a pleasurable activity over an important activity. It doesn’t always happen
that your important chore is an enjoyable but to choose unimportant from important mostly ends
with cramming. Cases of cramming usually go through with a lot of stress, lack of sleep, and
unfinished school works. Worse case scenarios would be failing grade marks and mental absence.
It’s even stressful to think that he/she is not done yet with whatever he/she must do. But if one
plans, knows his objectives, avoids temptations, stress-inducing pitfalls can be easily avoided. It
is always a solution to analyze schedules, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If there are so many
things one must go over with, try to distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts.” Drop tasks
that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely. According to the
group of Melinda Smith, M.A.:
“creating a balanced schedule, avoiding over commitment of ones self,
prioritizing tasks, breaking projects into small steps and delegating
responsibility are ways on how a person can avoid stress.” And easily gets the
job done.
Local Literature
When talking about time, Filipinos are known for being late. When a particular time is
given, it is expected for a Filipino to come in late but this can now be proven wrong although it is
still claimed by some authors.
A particular author would be Johanna Francisco in 2003. According to her,
“Filipino Time is the coined phrase for the embarrassing affliction of
tardiness among Filipinos. It is curious and mind boggling how the general
population of a certain nation could possibly be chronically late. And yet, it has
been tried and tested to be true to this very day. Try having a party with the
invitation stating an arrival time of 4 pm, and people will start trickling in at 5
or 6 pm.”
This might still sound a bit harsh having heard that Filipinos cannot really race with
time but nowadays is different. Time tends to change people and, in this reality, Filipinos
are the present of their past. To catch up with the modern economy, many Filipinos now
have also introduced techniques, methods, and information on managing time for the new
generation.
These are the 10 basic principles of time management one should take note of
according to Pastor Arnold Perona:
“1. Live in the present for you cannot change what happened, as life
is to be lived today, and as the future depends on what we do today. 2. Value
your activity and ask yourself if every minute is really worth it. 3. Create a daily
written schedule where you must respond accordingly to your activity. Mental
schedule; sequence is very important; you need to know what you will be doing
in the next 24 hours. 4. Prioritize your tasks by starting with the most difficult
(if it doesn't work for you, start with the least difficult task). 5. Use short period
of time effectively and maximize your 15-minute break, take a power nap, do
something productive and relaxing at the same time. If you want to be
remembered forever; plant a tree, bear a child, write a book! 6. Do not allow
others to determine your schedule, set aside distractions. 7. Working smart
beats those who work hard, prioritize and plan. 8. Recognize time wasters. Do
not put one over yourself. Stand on your feet and think quickly. Do not
concentrate on irrelevant questions/issues. Train well to avoid time wasters.
God gives us two ends; to sit down and to think. 9. Focus on personal
productivity- poor discipline is your problem. Do not mind what's happening in
your left or what's happening in your right, but rather focus on what's in front
of you. Live according to your personal standards. Discipline yourself. 10. The
words of success are ‘to do it now’. Do not procrastinate. Tomorrow is nothing
more than a series of today. There is no time to waste on idle dreams, every
minute counts. It makes no difference because we all have 24 hours to spend
equally; no one has the right to say "I don't have time!"
Time Management Model
To illustrate the influence of stress and self-efficacy on time management skills, the Time
Management Model (Figure 1) shows their impact on both motivation and perceived time
management. For example, if students suffer from higher levels of perceived stress, then it
negatively impacts their self-efficacy. Higher levels of perceived stress also impact student
motivation. Extended periods of increased stress levels often result in poor time management
skills, causing students to exhibit worse academic performance. In contrast, students who perceive
lower levels of stress reported a greater feeling of self-efficacy. This feeling motivates students to
achieve greater academic performance because they are satisfied with their academic performance,
which increases their overall perception of time management. Students with a stronger awareness
of tasks and the time available increases their ease to practice time management skills
unintentionally.
Figure 1: Time Management Model
Therefore, the combination of increased motivation, perceived time management and time
management skill suggests the greatest opportunity for academic success in college. But students
must first focus on lowering their perceived levels of stress and increasing their self-efficacy before
they establish their perception of control over time management. Through this perception can
students practice time management skills without force, which leads to the ultimate success in
college.