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.