Welcome to Module 4

In college, time is one of your most valuable resources—and how you use it can be the difference between just getting by and truly thriving. This module gives you practical tools to take control of your schedule, reduce stress, and stay focused on what matters most.

You’ll explore how time management in college differs from high school, identify common causes of procrastination (and how to beat them), and evaluate your own time-use habits. You’ll learn to set meaningful goals, prioritize tasks effectively, and apply proven strategies to make the most of every day.

By the end, you’ll have a personalized approach to managing your academic, personal, and work commitments—so you can stay motivated, meet deadlines, and create space for what inspires you.

Module Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

Explain the relationship between goal setting, motivation, and prioritization in managing time effectively. (CLO 2 and CLO 5)
Evaluate your own time management habits and develop a personal plan for improvement based on self-assessment and reflection. (CLO 2 and CLO 5)
Apply practical strategies and tools to manage time, overcome procrastination, and stay organized in academic and personal settings. (CLO 2 and CLO 5)

(CLO = Course Learning Outcome)

To Do

Please read/watch all of the module learning materials (readings, presentations, videos, etc.) and complete all assignments/assessments listed below. If you have questions, please contact the course instructor or ask in the Questions About This Course forum.

To support your work in this module, you’ll read Chapter 3 of the OpenStax: College Success textbook. This chapter will help you reflect on priorities, time management, and success.

We recommend spending more time reading the following sections in Chapter 3.

Reading the following from Chapter 3:

Chapter 3.3 – Procrastination: The Enemy Within (pp. 73–75)
Learn how procrastination affects productivity and increases stress, and discover strategies to counter it. This section explores why we delay important tasks and offers practical ways to break the cycle.

Helps with:

- Discussion: Time Management Strategies
- Journal: Online Organization

Chapter 3.4 – Tools and Resources for Staying Organized (pp. 76–81)
Explore a variety of tools—planners, calendars, apps, and checklists—that help you manage multiple priorities. Use this reading to test and select the tools that work best for your personal workflow.

Helps with:

- Journal: Online Organization
- Academic Balance Worksheet

Chapter 3.5 – Prioritization: Making Choices About What to Do First (pp. 82–89)
Learn how to decide what to do first when you have many competing tasks. This section covers prioritization frameworks and decision-making strategies for both academic and personal contexts.

Helps with:

- Academic Balance Worksheet
- Discussion: Time Management Strategies

Chapter 3.6 – Motivation: Staying the Course (pp. 90–93)
Understand how to maintain motivation over time by connecting tasks to your goals and values. This section offers techniques to stay engaged even when challenges arise.

Helps with:

- - Discussion: Time Management Strategies
  - Journal: Online Organization
Listen to the Podcast: An Interview with Cassie (5 min)

Note: This podcast was created with NotebookLM.

Review the Presentation

OpenStax_College Success_Slides_ch03.pptx

Review Resources

Check out how to use the Canvas Calendar to stay organize.
- Access the Student Canvas Resource here.
Free Time Management Tools for Students

Assignments/Assessments

Complete the following assignments by the date and time indicated on each assignment page.
Mod. 4 Activity: 48 Hour Personal Audit and Analysis
Mod. 4 Discussion: Time Management Strategies

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