If you are concerned about making efficient use of your time during distance learning, consider time keeping in a way similar to private practice. To keep track of your time, use these activity codes, along with a detailed description, to identify how you are spending your time. Use 15 minutes increments, e.g., 15 minutes equals .25 on the time diary.
Keeping accurate and honest time diaries is extremely important. If, while reading cases, for example, you respond to e-mail, text a friend, surf the web, eat a snack, etc., the time spent on these other activities must be accounted for on your time diary. In addition, your descriptions should be as detailed as possible. For instance, rather than “read cases,” your description might be “read two cases in preparation for 4/1 property class.”
Activity Codes
T100 Time Management Activities
T110 Create draft study schedule
T120 Revise draft study schedule
T130 Inventory requirements for online learning
T140 Create a “to do” list, including relevant deadlines
P100 Preparation Activities
P110 Read cases in preparation for class
P120 Brief cases in preparation for class
P130 Review / analyze class notes
C100 Class Attendance
C110 Attend class - synchronously or asynchronously
C120 Confer with colleague regarding missed class
C130 Confer with faculty regarding missed class
S100 Study Activities
S110 Draft course summary
S120 Read / analyze treatise or hornbook
S130 Read / analyze commercial study aid
S140 Create / use flashcards or other study tool
L100 Legal Writing Activities
L110 Review materials related to writing assignment
L120 Conduct legal research
L130 Draft legal writing project
L140 Revise and edit legal writing project
E100 Exam Preparation
E110 Review hypotheticals from class or casebook
E120 Write out answers to hypotheticals from class or casebook
E130 Review practice problems
E140 Write out answers to practice problems
C100 Communications
C110 Consult with colleagues regarding class content
C120 Consult with colleagues regarding exam preparation
C130 Virtual study session with study group
C140 Communicate with faculty during office hours or otherwise
C150 Non-Law School communication
M100 Misc.
M110 Adjust technology for online learning
M120 External employment
M130 Physical activity
M140 Meals
M150 Errands
M160 Household management
M170 Homeschooling or other child care
M180 Relax
M190 Other
After several days of your “new normal,” use your time diary to complete this time management self-evaluation, which will allow you to objectively view how your time is being spent.
Did you study for more than three hours in one session?
Did you take ten-minute breaks after every hour?
Did you find adequate time to:
Virtually attend class?
Read for class?
Prepare course summaries?
Review and analyze class notes?
Complete writing assignments, allowing time for proofreading?
Sleep?
Exercise?
Attend to family matters?
Relax?
When reviewing several days as a whole, are you surprised as to how your time was allocated?
Can you identify ways that you can improve your time management? If so, identify the changes that you think may be beneficial.