Time use, time management and academic achievement among occupational therapy students

The purpose of this study was to examine time use patterns and variables related to time use, including feelings about time use, time management, and academic achievement, among normal college students. Time use was examined from the perspective of the model of human occupation. One hundred and six male and female occupational therapy students enrolled at Worcester State College in Worcester, MA completed two self-report questionnaires and a demographic questionnaire. The subjects completed the Occupational Questionnaire (Riopel Smith, Kielhofner, and Watts, 1986) which measured time use (activities engaged in during a typical 24-h period), and feelings about time use (related to competence, value, enjoyment) for the activities they reported. In addition, they completed the Time Management Questionnaire (Britton and Tesser, 1990, which measured their time attitudes, preferences for short range planning, and preferences for long range planning. The results of the study suggest that older students and those experiencing role overload perceive themselves as less competent, and value and enjoy their time use less than younger students and those with fewer role demands. In addition, the use of time management was related to academic achievement. Implications of the findings are discussed.