The challenge of time management for 1st year students of the Faculty of Medicine

Beginning of studies at Rīga Stradiņš university Faculty of Medicine, students have to change several aspects of studies compare to high school: much deeper study content,  scope of studies, more emphasis on full-time work, types examinations and their regularity, new organizational culture, must learn new concepts. Some students do not set priorities in time and end up lacking time, do not fulfill their goals, are not satisfied with their study results. Time planning, selection of appropriate study strategies, setting priorities is a challenge for 1st year students and lecturers to make a pedagogical contribution to help students successfully move forward in the study process. The aim of the research is to find out the student’s opinion about time management, the set goals and their implementation. In a study using the method of obtaining quantitative data: questionnaire. A total of 194 students of the 1st year medical faculty were surveyed. 51% of respondents rate their time management skills as average, at the same time a similar number of respondents - 52% indicate that time management is not taught in secondary school. The majority of students 67% emphasize that should time management be taught at the university, because according to 91% of the respondents, time management at the university is different from school. 8% of students have set a goal to study medicine in childhood, 27% in primary school, 43% in secondary school, 12% recently before starting their studies. Overall, 90% of students say that setting a clear goal better disciplined and motivated them in their studies. Focusing on the set goal, recognizing time thieves, choosing learning and time planning strategies, self-discipline, decisions and their implementation are new challenges for 1st year students. A support system for lecturers, study year members, organizations and families are recommended and desirable.