Introduction > Writing Scientifically > Managing Your Time > Constructing a Timetable

Constructing a Timetable One of the most important aspects of a timetable is that it must be realistic - if you fall behind in your first deadline, it's difficult to get the motivation to carry on with your other deadlines. Similarly, if your deadlines are too far apart, you run the risk of becoming complacent and missing your final deadline! A sample timetable for a term in which you are given the details of a literature review to be handed in on the last Friday in week 8 may be: Day/Week Wednesday, 2-4pm Thursday, 4-6pm 1 Search for secondary literature Search for primary literature 2 Read secondary and primary literature Read secondary and primary literature 3 Plan sections and sub-sections Write first two sections 4 Write sections 3-6 Write sections 7-10 5 Write sections 10-13 Proof read and amend sections 1-4 6 Proof read and amend sections 5-10 Proof read and amend sections 11-13 7 Check references match citations, proof read and print Proof read final printer version 8     Using this timetable, you have dedicated 4 hours a week to your literature review and left enough time to buy paper/toner etc and cope with any unforeseen problems. Notice that the proof read and printing aren't left until the day it's due in. Although this process sounds easy, you'd be surprised how long it takes.

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