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How to Ace Time Management for Students Easily
A few months ago, when I wrote an article on “15 Tips to Overcome Writer’s Block”, I discussed about the time management for students. In spite, a day will always be 24 hrs, time seems to be less for productive work for us. Right?
And I am not talking about a time management which will cram more hours into a day, it’s about making each hour count. Students always need to balance classes, assignments, and personal responsibilities. But here’s the thing, if you manage time properly, you will not only finish all academic tasks but even get some quality time for yourself and your loved ones. And it will indeed have a great impact on your career.
So, in this blog, I’ll share some useful information, techniques and tips on time management for students. It will include task prioritisation to identifying your peak production hours and you’ll learn ways to make your college life easier and more fulfilling. You will have a toolkit full of time management strategies that will allow you to take control of your schedule, minimise stress, and accomplish more than you ever imagined possible.
Understanding Time Management for Students
Time management is all about making the most out of the time we have. It means it involves more than just managing our study hours and completing deadlines rather it’s about striking a balance that allows us to achieve both academic and personal life. An effective time management enhances your mind and talents, just like physical exercise does for your body.
College days are busy as it gets going. Time management skills require you to prioritize and organize the day so that it is less stressful and at the same time increases productivity. That is the difference between efficient and inefficient time management.
One helps you feel in control, and the other makes you feel like you’re always playing catchup.
From my experience during college and in corporate life, good time management always creates more room for creativity and relaxation. And that leads to success in every field. In one of my previous articles, “The Busy College Student’s Guide to Maintaining Good Health and Fitness,” I discussed how a balanced life is crucial for success. Similarly, these time management tips for students will empower you to take charge of your schedule. So, let’s move ahead…
How Do You Manage Your Time as a Student?
I have asked this question to too many students. And every time I got different answers. Yes, there is no straight answer to this question. It is your busy life, and you should be able to manage your time by customizing the activities. All I can help you is with some techniques.
Over and above, some of you must have some part-time jobs, hobbies etc, which makes time management even more critical. One of the biggest challenges for students is balancing academic demands with personal life. This is where good time management techniques can make a significant difference.
To start with, I’ve found these time management tips for students to be really helpful, so I’m sharing them with you!
- Learn to say “No”! It’s one of the most difficult tasks to say “No”. But at times, you need to put your personal goals and tasks first and learn to say “No”. Saying no can be a great way to protect your time and energy.
- This might sound a little unusual, but taking your study materials to a park or even just the balcony can be really beneficial. Studies show that being in nature can improve concentration and reduce stress. I often take my books to a nearby park and enjoy the comfort and relaxed mode.
I have found these two pieces of advice given by my mentor during the early stage of my career very useful. And believe me, it just needs some practice.
6 Proven Methods of Time Management for Students
Here are six proven methods of time management for students that can make a significant difference in your productivity and well-being.
Eat That Frog
This method emphasises starting your day by tackling the most challenging or important task. This method helps you overcome procrastination and sets a productive tone for the rest of the day. By prioritizing the toughest tasks first, you ensure that they get done without lingering on your mind.
Pomodoro Technique
A very famous method of working in focused intervals of 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute break. After four intervals, take a longer break. This technique boosts concentration and productivity by breaking tasks into manageable chunks and providing regular breaks to recharge.
Eisenhower Matrix
Here, you organize your tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance. This method helps you prioritize tasks effectively, distinguishing between what needs immediate attention and what can wait. It’s ideal for students juggling multiple deadlines and commitments.
Get it Done
By this method, you capture all your tasks in a comprehensive list and categorize them by duration and priority. If a task takes less than 2 minutes, do it right away; otherwise, schedule it for later. GTD promotes efficiency and ensures that nothing slips through the cracks.
Pickle Jar Theory
This technique limits the number of tasks you tackle each day and prioritizes them based on their significance and impact. This method encourages thoughtful decision-making and prevents overwhelm by focusing on what truly matters.
Time Blocking
Finally, as the name suggests, here you allocate specific time blocks for different activities throughout your day. This technique enhances focus and productivity by dedicating uninterrupted time to each task or project. It’s particularly effective for students managing diverse responsibilities and coursework.
Now at this point, I would suggest you try some of the more unusual and traditional strategies that people in different cultures have used over the years. These methods offer a fresh perspective on productivity and focus and can help you make the most of your daily routine.
3-2-1 Method: This Chinese method divides your day into three parts, where you focus on work, two parts where you relax and unwind, and one part where you take some time to reflect. By balancing intense study sessions with enjoyable activities and moments of introspection, you can enhance productivity and maintain mental clarity.
Use of Sand Clocks: Inspired by early timekeeping devices, here you use a sand clock to represent the passage of time visually. Watching the sand trickle down can instil a sense of urgency, helping you stay attentive and manage your study sessions more effectively.
Chanting for Focus: Have you ever heard of chanting? In India Sanskrit mantras like “Om” or “Gayatri Mantra” before studying or starting any new task is a lovely way to promote concentration and reduce distractions. It creates a tranquil environment that’s perfect for deep learning.
Roman Time Division: It is a structured approach of ancient Romans to allocate specific times of the day for different tasks that can help you stay on track. Whatever you need to do, whether attending lectures in the morning, self-study in the afternoon, or group discussions in the evening, this method helps you to organise your day purposefully.
The Lunar Calendar Method: Aligning with ancient lunar traditions, you can sync your study schedule with the phases of the moon. It’s a great idea to start new projects during the new moon, really give them you’re all during the waxing phase, and use the full moon for reflection and review.
The Art of Storytelling: Inspired by ancient Greek scholars, you can use storytelling as a mnemonic device when studying complex subjects. This is perhaps a very powerful method of creating narratives around your study material which not only makes learning enjoyable but also enhances memory.
Egyptian Visualisation: Adopting some of the amazing visualisation techniques from ancient Egypt, you can spend some time visualising your study goals and the steps needed to achieve them. Visualising success can really motivate you and help you to clarify your objectives, making your study sessions more purposeful.
Hieroglyphic Notetaking: Inspired by the amazing hieroglyphic script, you can develop your shorthand or symbolic system (or even secret codes!!!) for notetaking. Personalising your notes with symbols can make your review process a breeze and make studying more fun and easier!
The Monastic Bell Method: Adapted from medieval monastic practices, this technique uses different tones or alarms to signal transitions between study tasks. This auditory cue can help you stay focused and on track throughout your study sessions.
Why is time management important for students?
Well, I need not say, time management is super important for students! It can help you get more work done in less time. By planning and staying organised, you can tackle your assignments and exams without the last-minute panic.
One of the ways which worked out quite often for me was to set a different deadline in my mind. For Example, if the last date for submission of an assignment is the 10th of the month, I would prepone that deadline to the 8th. I will rehearse that a few times for rooting time in my subconscious mind. And I will work accordingly. This often gives me time to polish my work, assignments etc during the “extra 2 days”.
It’s so much easier when you’re prepared ahead! Isn’t it? This also means better grades! You will have plenty of time to really understand the concepts and revise effectively. And the best part is that good time management means you’ll have more time to hang out with your friends and do the things you love, like your hobbies! This makes your college experience more balanced and fun!
Balancing Academic and Personal Life
One important topic I missed to add is all about balancing your academic and personal life. It’s not all about college, grades, academics and all. It is also about you. Your body, your mind.
It’s Not About Equal Hours
Balancing isn’t a mathematical equation. You need not allocate equal time to all your tasks. Some days, academia demands more attention like when that research paper deadline looms. On other days, you can kick back, sip tea, and chat with friends.
Quality Over Quantity
By now you would have learned this secret. More study hours don’t guarantee top grades. It’s about how you use those hours. You need to understand that quality matters and so study your notes deeply, understand concepts, connect the dots, and ask questions. That’s where the magic happens.
Flexibility
Life is full of surprises. Maybe your laptop can crash during a crucial assignment, or your cat decides to spill the coffee all over your assignment. Be flexible. Did you miss a lecture? No worries. Perhaps catch up online. Rescheduled a coffee date? It’s okay, your friend understands. Flexibility keeps you sane.
Self-Care: Not Optional, But Essential
Imagine your body as a high-performance car. It needs fuel, maintenance, and pit stops. Sleep well, eat veggies, and stretch your legs. Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s mandatory.
When you feel stressed, take a walk, meditate, or listen to your favourite song. Your mental health matters. You’re not a robot, you’re a student with dreams and feelings.
It’s Your Call
I really hope you found this blog useful! I tried to write down everything I learned over these years, so you don’t have to! Now all you need to do is make some choices. Try experimenting with a few techniques from this blog as well as some of your own and find out which one suits you more! I never used planners, but I would still suggest you do if you are comfortable with it.
You will see no results in the first few days or even weeks, but don’t worry! But remember, you’ve got this! Trust yourself and be patient. You’ll start to see small changes, just like they say, “Little drops of water make the mighty ocean.”
Come back to this post after a couple of months and let other readers know how you’re doing!
