Time Traps of the Modern Age: Views of Young Adults About Time Management

The main purpose of this research is to determine the time traps of the modern age, young adults’ perception of time management, and the consequences of not being able to manage time effectively. The phenomenology method, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. The participants of the study were selected according to the maximum variation sampling method included in the purposeful sampling methods. Participants of this study are 65 university students from different regions of Turkey who are between the ages of 18 – 25 years with different genders, ages, and academic grade point averages. The data were collected through online interviews through a personal information form prepared by the researchers and a semi–structured interview form. The content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. According to the results of the study, it has been determined that technology-induced new time traps are excessive use of YouTube, social media addiction, online chat groups, TV series, and programs. On the other hand, time traps originating from the individual were found to be procrastination, forgetfulness, haste, and sleep disturbance consistent with the literature. It has been understood that the individuals’ reason for planning the time is to experience a sense of success, to feel happiness, to concretize goals, to set new goals, to work regularly and systematically, to get rid of uncertainty, to take action, to provide self – control, self – management, and self – discipline. In addition, it has been seen that not managing time effectively can lead to uneasiness, incompetence, remorse, loss of motivation, regret, self – blame, anxiety and sadness. These findings obtained from the research were discussed in the light of the literature and suggestions regarding the results were developed.

Anahtar Kelimeler: Time, Time management, Time traps, Reasons of time planning, Results of not managing time effectively

The main purpose of this research is to determine the time traps of the modern age, young adults’ perception of time management, and the consequences of not being able to manage time effectively. The phenomenology method, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. The participants of the study were selected according to the maximum variation sampling method included in the purposeful sampling methods. Participants of this study are 65 university students from different regions of Turkey who are between the ages of 18 – 25 years with different genders, ages, and academic grade point averages. The data were collected through online interviews through a personal information form prepared by the researchers and a semi–structured interview form. The content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. According to the results of the study, it has been determined that technology-induced new time traps are excessive use of YouTube, social media addiction, online chat groups, TV series, and programs. On the other hand, time traps originating from the individual were found to be procrastination, forgetfulness, haste, and sleep disturbance consistent with the literature. It has been understood that the individuals’ reason for planning the time is to experience a sense of success, to feel happiness, to concretize goals, to set new goals, to work regularly and systematically, to get rid of uncertainty, to take action, to provide self – control, self – management, and self – discipline. In addition, it has been seen that not managing time effectively can lead to uneasiness, incompetence, remorse, loss of motivation, regret, self – blame, anxiety and sadness. These findings obtained from the research were discussed in the light of the literature and suggestions regarding the results were developed.

Keywords: Time, Time management, Time traps, Reasons of time planning, Results of not managing time effectively