The standard, full time American workweek is Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm with an unpaid 1-hour lunch period each day for a total of 40 paid hours per week. Many people work more than 40 hours per week, especially supervisors.
Since college is a training platform for work, consider establishing a 30-hour standard “education week.” This 30-hour, undivided attention education week includes the following:
- Time spent reading, problem-solving and studying prior to class,
- Time spent during class sessions and in laboratories,
- Time used for completing assignments, writing papers and writing lab reports,
- Active group study time,
- Library and online course-related research activities,
- Exam preparation time
- Video presentation preparation time, and
- After class study time and problem-solving time.
The 30-hour education week obviously excludes time spent working, socializing, texting, talking on the phone, watching tv and movies, sleeping, eating, exercising, walking to/from class, driving, dating, relaxing, etc. While honestly adhering to the 30-hour education week will most likely mean that you will earn higher grades in your college courses, certain demanding majors may require even more study time to earn high grades. Note that the 30 hours does not necessarily need to occur during Monday-Friday or during any 5 consecutive days period. In fact, some students’ work schedules are so demanding that most of their 30-hour education week occurs during the weekend. Each individual must determine his/her own sustainable level of effort while in college and into his/her professional life. Keep pressing toward your goal of earning a college degree and remember that Overton Leadership Associates is on your side!
Herb