Navigating the analog - digital in time management
The DNA of time management
Define ‘time management’ and its linguistic context
The DNA of time management
Define ‘time management’ and its linguistic context
Time Mastery from the Inside Out
What’s behind the art of getting things done? 08
Time travel
Navigating the analog - digital divide in time managment
11
Interview
Students’ perspective - Sharing from SAS
CONTRIBUTORS
Minh Chau
Content writer
Tuong Vy
Content writer | Photographer
Ngan Giang
Designer | Photographer
Hoang Nhi
Content writer
FROM THE EDITOR
Dear readers! Welcome to our magazine, dedicated to supporting freshmen and sophomores in their journey through university. We understand that this phase can be overwhelming, filled with uncertainty and self-doubt. That’s why we are here to provide you with the motivation, inspiration, and practical guidance you need to thrive. Our goal is to empower you with tips, strategies, and stories from fellow students who have overcome challenges and achieved success. From time management techniques to effective study habits, we’ll equip you with the tools necessary to navigate university life with confidence and purpose. Remember, you are capable of greatness; this magazine is your compass to unlock your full potential. Let’s embark on a journey of personal growth, academic achievement, and finding fulfillment together.
Model: Ngan Giang
Photo by Tuong Vy
The DNA of MANAGEMENT TIME
By Tuong Vy
The concept of time management
Time is a limited resource that people can never regain after it has been spent. The secret to achieving success in life is maximizing one’s time equally and giving planning the consideration it requires. In today’s competitive world, learning how to organize and manage time effectively as early as possible successfully is essential. The term “time management” became widely used in the 1950s and 1960s as a way to improve productivity in the workplace. The concept of “time management” is commonly characterized by sets of actions that enhance efficiency and reduce anxiety.
“Time management” should not be misunderstood as time can be managed, but in fact, people need to organize themselves according to time. Research indicates that individuals can optimize their time management by establishing short-term and long-term objectives, maintaining records of their time usage, prioritizing tasks, creating lists of tasks to complete, scheduling their activities, and arranging their work environment.
” The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.
Stephen Covey
Time management in language
In the linguistic context, the term “manage” in Vietnamese can be rendered as “quản lý,” which generally refers to supervising, controlling, or coordinating a particular entity or individual. It is plausible that there exist cultural disparities in the comprehension and implementation of the management concept in Vietnam compared to other nations. Although “quản lý” and “manage” are translations of one another, they nonetheless have unique nuances and shades of meaning that represent the various viewpoints and applications of the language.
The term “quản lý” has a more significant meaning of control or supervision in Vietnamese; it denotes actively leading and overseeing something or someone. Furthermore, “quản lý” is understood by Vietnamese speakers as referring to a hierarchy, subordinates who must be managed, as well as managing resources or people. In other words, it has a few political or administrative undertones that relate to state affairs or government conduct.
In contrast, “manage” in English might indicate handling something or taking responsibility for it in a less controlling manner. Referring to more neutral and versatile self-management, including making progress, keeping things on track, or ensuring things run smoothly without as strong an emphasis on maximizing results.
To the best of our knowledge, cultural disparities can affect individuals’ comprehension and handling of beliefs, such as time management. The Vietnamese phrase “quản lý thời gian” means “time management.” However, this translation may not comprehensively communicate the connotations and implications that English speakers attribute to “time management.” From the perspective of Vietnamese individuals, time management appears to involve a structured and systematic approach to time organization. The term “quản lý thời gian” can be perceived as a sophisticated or business-related concept within Vietnamese culture, posing difficulties in comprehension for some individuals.
Cambridge Dictionary (n.d.) manage, Cambridge Dictionary website, accessed 8 May 2023. https://dictionary. cambridge.org/dictionary/english/manage Le T (2022) Quản lý là gì? Khái niệm, vai trò chức năng của người quản lý?, Luật Minh Khuê website, accessed 8 May 2023. https://luatminhkhue.vn/quan-ly-la-gi.aspx Luan (2015) Khái niệm chung về Quản lý, Luan Van A - Z website, accessed 8 May 2023. https://luanvanaz.com/ khai-niem-chung-ve-quan-ly.html
The school environment serves as a primary hub for academic and social experiences, where students strive to achieve excellence and gain approval based on their performance competence. Academic performance encompasses various indicators, such as course grades, subject area averages, and overall class averages. However, achieving academic success goes beyond classroom learning and requires effective time management skills. In this article, we will explore the significant impact of time management on students’ academic success, the consequences of poor time management, and strategies for achieving a balanced and productive lifestyle. It is widely acknowledged that students who invest more time in activities beyond the classroom, such as assigned readings and completing assignments, tend to perform better academically. Effective time management plays a crucial role in allocating
sufficient time to these tasks, ultimately improving overall academic performance. Without proper planning and scheduling, students may face challenges in meeting deadlines and fulfilling their academic responsibilities, resulting in adverse effects on their grades and overall achievement.
There are some students who, at first glance, we see as high achievers, having achieved good results in their studies. However, we cannot imagine that there are also those who have sacrificed their time, disrupted their daily routines, and even compromised their health in a short period of time to achieve those good results. In fact, this is not a good thing; it is evidence of poor time management skills.
Ineffective time management can result in significant repercussions impacting various aspects of life. It frequently entails sacrificing time,
as observed through common issues like lacking a plan, having difficulty estimating time, feeling overwhelmed, and succumbing to distractions that disrupt work. This correlation between poor time management and heightened stress and anxiety is detrimental. Insufficient time allocation often leads individuals to expend most of their time and energy on tasks that are not essential. Consequently, there remains little time available for effectively managing important and urgent deadlines, leading to hurried attempts to meet these time constraints. This sense of urgency can trigger a survival response within the body as it perceives a threat. As a result, the body releases cortisol - a stress hormone that regulates the body’s response to stress, maintaining a heightened state of alertness. This increased alertness can interfere with falling asleep, leading to sleep deprivation.
By Minh Chau Model: Ngan Giang
Photo by Tuong Vy
When we fail to manage our time effectively, it often comes at the expense of our sleep as we scramble to complete last-minute projects. Consequently, we encounter difficulties falling asleep due to elevated cortisol levels and reduced melatonin. Poor time management indirectly affects our biological clock, which serves as an internal mechanism for tracking time and can disrupt our sleep patterns. Disruptions in sleep and circadian rhythm can contribute to various health issues, including heightened stress levels, abnormal metabolism, impaired cognition, and fluctuating mood states. Individuals with a morning chronotype are inclined to be most active and achieve peak physical and mental performance in the early part of the day after waking up. Conversely, evening chronotype individuals experience the opposite pattern. Suppose someone naturally inclined towards being a morning
person resorts to an all-nighter to meet deadlines due to inadequate time management. In that case, it can disrupt their circadian rhythm, and vice versa for an evening person. Poor time management can disrupt a person’s body chronotype, which, in turn, can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Stress arises when changes occur internally or externally, upsetting the balance of life and potentially resulting in illness in specific situations. Stress is typically associated with pressure and demands, diverting an individual’s focus from what is truly beneficial and leading to neglect of essential matters.
Students typically lead demanding and stressful lives due to their class attendance, completion of assignments, and exam preparation. Moreover, they have their own daily routines and lifestyles that are crucial for maintaining a balance between academic
responsibilities and extracurricular activities. Nevertheless, juggling multiple tasks can prove to be challenging and overwhelming. This is where practical time management skills play a vital role. Individuals who possess the ability to manage their time well can achieve significant accomplishments without compromising other aspects of their lives, thereby maintaining a moderate lifestyle and adhering to their daily routines. Proficient time management entails prioritizing tasks based on their importance and urgency. Allocating time to higher-priority tasks while sacrificing some time for lower-priority ones can aid in attaining essential goals. However, dedicating all available free time and neglecting personal needs by working incessantly is not sustainable and can result in burnout. Striking a balance between work and individual needs is generally recognized as a hallmark of good time management.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”
Jimmy Dean
Bhui K, Dinos S, Galant-Miecznikowska M, De Jongh B and Stansfeld S (2018) ‘Perceptions of work stress causes and effective interventions in employees working in public, private and non-governmental organisations: a qualitative study’, BJPsych Bulletin, 40(6):318-325, doi:10.1192/pb.bp.115.050823.
Claessens B, Van Eerde W, Rutte C and Roe R (2007) ‘A Review of Time Management Literature’, Personnel Review, 36(2).
Cyril A (2015) ‘TIME MANAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF HIGHER SECONDARY STUDENTS’, i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 10(3). Foster R and Kreitzman L (2014) ‘ The rhythms of life: what your body clock means to you’, Experimental physiology, 99(4):599-606, doi:10.1113/expphysiol.2012.071118. Mata M, Sohail M, Haider S, Martins J, Sheraz F, Rita J, Dantas R and Batista A (2021) ‘THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TIME MANAGEMENT, WORK STRESS AND WORK PERFORMANCE-A QUANTITATIVE STUDY IN PORTUGAL’, Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 20(6):1-11. Roth A and Osmun R (2023) ‘Time Management and Sleep’, accessed 8 May 2023. https:// eachnight.com/sleep/time-management-and-sleep/. Siahi E and Maiyo J (2015) ‘Study of the relationship between study habits and academic achievement of students: A case of Spicer Higher Secondary School, India’, International Journal of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, 7(7):134-141, doi:10.5897/ IJEAPS2015.0404. Thau L, Gandhi J and Sharma S (2022) Physiology, Cortisol, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Zou H, Zhou H, Yan R, Yao Z and Lu Q (2022) ‘ Chronotype, circadian rhythm, and psychiatric disorders: Recent evidence and potential mechanisms’, Front Neurosci, 16:, doi:10.3389/ fnins.2022.811771.
Model: Ngan Giang
Photo by Tuong Vy
Dodd P and Sundheim D (2005) The 25 Best Time Management Tools & Techniques: How to Get More Done Without Driving Yourself Crazy, 1st edn, Peak Performance Press. Perry T (4 August 2008) ‘Drifting Toward Invisibility: The Transition to the Electronic Task Board’ [Conference presentation] Agile Development Conference, Toronto, ON, Canada, accessed 8 May 2023. https://ieeexplore.ieee. org/document/4599528
Wolter L (2018) The Feeling and Perception of Using Analog and Digital Task Management Tools within Agile Development [Master’s Thesis] Malmö University, accessed 8 May 2023. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/ diva2:1480091/FULLTEXT01.pdf
Time Traveler Navigating the analog - digital divide in time management
In today’s fast-paced world, marked by constant technological advancements, people lead increasingly hectic lives. As a result, individuals are faced with the challenge of finding effective ways to organise their daily tasks and achieve a harmonious balance between personal and professional commitments. This dilemma often leads to choosing between traditional analog tools and their digital counterparts. Each approach offers unique benefits and drawbacks, requiring careful consideration to determine the most suitable option for individual preferences and circumstances.
Model: Ngan Giang
Photo by Tuong Vy
The analog
While the trend leans toward digital tools, many still favor the conventional approach due to its notable advantages, with minimal training being a key factor. Analog tools such as paper planners, agendas, and productivity journals are physical and tangible, eliminating the need to spend time understanding complex reminder applications and their functions. These traditional tools have been widely used for task management, from paper and folders to post-it notes and whiteboards. Despite the rise of digitalization, analog task boards remain prevalent.
The task board, a visual representation of project progression, serves as a clear and centralized space for tracking team progress. Its advantages include minimal training requirements, as the functions are straightforward without complex charts to explain. Moreover, it facilitates centralized interaction, allowing teams to track progress, hold meetings, and engage in
informal discussions. Additionally, analog tools offer the benefit of physical interactions, which research suggests enhances learning and stimulates efficient information absorption. Convenience is another advantage of analog tools, as they provide a quick and reliable method to jot down deadlines and tasks when technological devices are unavailable. The advantages of analog tools highlight their ability to translate cognitive thinking into reality through the tangible nature of these tools. They promote interactions with objects and people, allowing for a more organic and intuitive approach to task management.
Analog tools do come with certain limitations. Firstly, they are limited to line of sight, meaning they can only be viewed from a specific physical location, which can be problematic when working remotely. Furthermore, analog task boards do not inherently document the historical events of the board unless someone actively maintains a record.
The digital
Onthe other hand, digital tools offer distinct advantages that cater to the demands of our modern world. Decentralized access makes them ideal for individuals working from multiple locations and facilitates seamless information sharing across vast distances. Additionally, digital task boards excel at capturing and reflecting the history of project progress, enabling users to identify trends and patterns. This centralized and summarized end goal is achieved by providing increased detail in descriptions, reducing the risk of misinterpretation. The advantages of digital tools lie in their ability to connect multiple interaction points across various locations into a single digital space. Digital tools have the capability to automatically store our interactions as data, which can then be examined and linked together to generate valuable information about our activities.
However, digital tools also come with their own set of disadvantages. Some offer basic features for free but require users to upgrade to a premium or paid version to access advanced capabilities. These access restrictions can restrict users’ ability to fully leverage the tool’s potential and may present obstacles for
those who are unable or unwilling to invest in premium features. Furthermore, digital tools often impose a forced structure, dictating how users should utilize the application instead of allowing customization to individual preferences. Nonetheless, an overreliance on digital tools can lead to a passive approach to time management. Maintaining an active role in setting priorities, making decisions, and allocating time to various tasks is crucial. If we rely completely on digital prompts and notifications, we might unknowingly give up our own ability to think critically and make decisions, which can result in a loss of independence and control over how we manage our time.
While digital tools undoubtedly offer valuable assistance in time management, it is important not to lose sight of our own active role in the process. By striking a balance between harnessing the advantages of technology and preserving our personal control, we can establish efficient time management strategies that align with our objectives and empower us to maximize our precious time.
In conclusion, the choice between analog and digital tools for task management requires careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each approach. While analog tools offer simplicity, minimal training, and enhanced cognitive thinking, digital tools provide efficiency, decentralized access, and robust historical tracking capabilities. Ultimately, individuals should identify their specific needs, work preferences, and the nature of their tasks to make an informed decision. No matter which approaches we choose, the fundamental principle of jotting down our goals remains crucial for effective task management, even if those goals are initially unclear or undefined.
Model: Ngan Giang Photo by Tuong Vy
Model: Ngan Giang
Photo by Tuong Vy
Students’ perspective
Le Nguyen Phuong Vy
Professional Communication
Nguyen Minh Hieu, who works as a Teaching Assistant (TA) at the English center, effectively manages his workload while being actively involved in a club. Despite having a part-time job and commitments to the club, Hieu prioritizes his activities and plans his week accordingly. He handles unexpected tasks that arise during the week promptly without disrupting his overall schedule. When faced with conflicting deadlines between his academic courses and club commitments, Hieu tends to give priority to his academic responsibilities. However, simultaneous deadlines for academic and club-related tasks present challenges. To overcome this, Hieu relies on Google Calendar as a reminder system, ensuring he is aware of the precise timing and nature of each task. He finds digital tools helpful in remembering various tasks and projects. In cases where he needs to focus on two tasks simultaneously, Hieu adopts a clear prioritization strategy, tackling the more important task first. This approach allows him to stay on track and maintain productivity in both his academic and extracurricular pursuits.
Nguyen Hong Minh Tu Psychology
She’s taking two RMIT University classes right now. She also studied graphic design at a study centre. This course needs two threehour lessons per week. Despite her busy schedule, she chooses to choose her priorities at random. She’s free-spirited and thinks she can do whatever she wants. She struggled to balance her two RMIT classes and two graphic design courses this term. Since the workload appeared enormous, she tried to manage her time. She solved the problem by spending her mornings studying at RMIT and meeting with teammates, dedicating her nights to graphic design. She won the Loreal national championship while acknowledging that her work may not be perfect. She finishes every assignment and project since she can’t prioritise. Though challenging, Vy manages her personal and educational life, completing every assignment and project, and prioritizing the most vital work.
She’s taking two RMIT University classes right now. She also studied graphic design at a study centre. This course needs two three-hour lessons per week. Despite her busy schedule, she chooses to choose her priorities at random. She’s free-spirited and thinks she can do whatever she wants. She struggled to balance her two RMIT classes and two graphic design courses this term. Since the workload appeared enormous, she tried to manage her time. She solved the problem by spending her mornings studying at RMIT and meeting with teammates, dedicating her nights to graphic design. She won the Loreal national championship while acknowledging that her work may not be perfect. She finishes every assignment and project since she can’t prioritise. Though challenging, Vy manages her personal and educational life, completing every assignment and project, and prioritizing the most vital work.
Nguyen Minh Hieu Digital Marketing
Sharing from SAS INTERVIEW
Digital Business
He has three Professional Communication courses and two jobs. He struggles to balance employment and school. He disagrees that SAS students always get excellent scores since he believes that everyone makes mistakes and perfection is impossible. Time management is difficult, especially choosing between school and job. Time management is essential to his success. He places great importance on prioritizing tasks and understanding their purpose. He prioritizes tasks and follows a structured approachto boost creativity and finishes assignments. There have been instances when He felt overwhelmed when juggling numerous chores and occupations at once. He calmed himself, organized his time, and prioritized his responsibilities. Recognizing that many students endure similar obstacles, he advises them to stay self-aware and prioritize tasks accordingly.. Creating a weekly schedule, understanding one’s abilities, and avoiding multitasking are also key aspects of effective time management. He emphasizes not comparing oneself to others since everyone has different schedules and circumstances to consider.
He took three university courses while working part-time. He first struggled to manage his academic and professional obligations. Without a proper approach to time management, he found himself wasting time and lacking organization. As a result, he was overwhelmed with work duties and had to sacrifice time at work to do his university projects. After the semester, he realised he had little control over his time and sought online classes and methods for improvement. He recognized that prioritising activities, defining objectives, and allocating time may boost productivity. In his fourth semester at RMIT, he understood the importance/significanceof prioritization while balancing three classes, part-time job, and a university competition. He prioritized learning and working above competing. He spent a day organizing his tasks, setting timelines and targets to avoid conflicts with his job schedule. He encountered difficulties in one of his courses, Financial Technology, when he was only allowed two days for the completion of the third task, resulting in/causing delays. He sacrificed sleep to reach the deadline, emphasizing the necessity of setting objectives. He learned that not setting realistic goals for one activity might affect other projects and deadlines. or “could have a negative impact on other projects and deadlines.” Through this experience, he grasped the value of prioritization and recognized/thought that urgent tasks must be prioritized above less essential ones. He successfully balanced and optimized his academic and professional activities by using good time management and regularly reviewing and revising his goals.
