Time management seems impossible for many people – not just students. With so much happening in life, it seems impossible.

Good news!

Time management is something that can be mastered with a few strategies and a little effort.

Set goals

It is very difficult to manage your time if you don’t know what the destinations are. Clear goals can motivate you to stay on track and to avoid procrastination.

Some students use the SMART mnemonic to help.

• Specific – make the goal clear and precise. Instead of simply writing “do math,” specify page numbers or sections and time.

E.g. Algebra questions, page 38 for 30 minutes.

• Measurable- you need to know when you have completed the goal. Make sure you can track your progress and know when you have achieved the goal.

• Achievable – set reasonable goals that match your workload and abilities. There is no sense making artificial goals that you already know won’t be reached.

• Relevant – your goals should align with your academic priorities.

• Time-bound – give yourself a deadline. Be specific on date or timeline.

Create a schedule

Take the time to plan your week. The small amount of time this takes will save you over the long run.

• Write down classes.
• Note deadlines.
• Schedule non-academic activities.
• Break large assignments into smaller tasks and schedule these throughout the week. For example, don’t simply note the due date of an essay, but note when you will do the research, the supporting paragraphs, the introductory paragraph, and so on.

Block off time, creating specific time slots for specific tasks. Creating some structure in your day and week reduces the stress and fatigue of constantly making decisions.

E.g. 6:00 – 7:00 pm – study chemistry, pages 35-42

7:00 – 7:15 pm – break

7:15 – 7:45 – English homework, write synopsis

Use tools to assist you

I’m old school. I still use a day-timer in book form, but there are many options. Some will work for you; some won’t. Test a few to see which ones match best with your needs.

• Digital calendars such as Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Skylight Calendar.
• Keeping a daily To-Do List is a great help. Again, I use pads and sticky notes but there are apps available such as Todoist, Clickup, Monday.com, etc.
• Time-tracking apps to help you stay focused such as Forest app and Toggl.
• Paper or book planners.

Build Healthy Study Habits

Avoid procrastination.

Don’t leave for tomorrow what you could easily do today. Once a student gets into the habit of procrastination, everything begins to pile up, and the situation worsens, often leading to more... you guessed – procrastination and stress.

Avoid (so-called) multitasking.

I feel a bit like a broken record, but here it is again: Multitasking does not work.

In the truest sense, multitasking does not exist; however, I suppose colloquially we can say that doing many things at approximately the same time is multitasking.

What actually happens when you try to multitask is a constant kind of on/off in your brain. You can start many tasks within a similar time-frame, but your brain is constantly having to switch from one to the other. (That’s why driving and texting and even driving and talking on a hands-free device are not good ideas!) Multitasking reduces efficiency while increasing errors and helping to burn you out.

Sounds great, doesn’t it!

Instead, make a schedule, reduce distractions, and focus – then move to the next task. In this way, you will finish faster and the quality of your work will be better.

Learn to say No.

If your plate is already replete with commitments, it is not only okay but admirable to decline more commitments. Also, you might need to reduce extracurricular activities and set boundaries with friends and family.

Remember, it is your time and using is wisely is essential for your success and well-being.

Maintain a tidy and efficient study space.

Having a dedicated space even if it is only a corner in a room will help you focus and relax into your efforts. Make sure your area has all the usual materials you need so that you are not constantly scrambling to find things.

Ahhh, I’m feeling more relaxed already.

Make sure you are getting proper rest, nutrition, and moderate exercise.

Food fuels the body, and your brain is organic – it’s part of your body.

Getting a sufficient amount of sleep will not only energize your muscles but your brain as well.

Exercise boosts blood flow, reduces stress, and helps to protect memory and brain function.

If you take good care of your physical health, not only will you be more productive but you will feel better as well.

Don’t panic.

Time management isn’t all that difficult. It simply takes a little foresight and intention. You don’t have to do everything at once. Start small, and try some of the strategies to see what works best for you. Having said this, don’t give up on an app or method too quickly. It takes time to adjust, so be patient with them and yourself.

As you build better habits and get stronger at using them, you will gain ground not only academically but personally as well – more confidence, freedom, and peace of mind.

Keep learning, and keep having fun!

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