In any stage of life, time management is crucial skill to have. Oftentimes we need to balance work, school, extracurricular activities, and our social and home life. Here are some tips to improve managing your time:
Set aside time to plan
Devote some time at the beginning of the week to plan out the rest of the week. Use this time to look over assignments and your syllabi. You should decide how much time it will take you to complete all of your tasks and when you plan to complete it.
Find a planning system that works for you
Make sure you find a system that works best for you. There are many digital tools to help you keep track of your time such as Trello or Google Calendar. Additionally many smartphones have reminder or calendar apps that may be helpful for you. Of course if you prefer something non-digital, using a paper planner can work just as well. The important thing is to find a system that works for you and stick to it!
Allow time for distractions, study breaks, and free time
It is inevitable that at one point you will get distracted and sometimes emergencies happen. Make sure you allot enough time for these distractions as you plan. You also need to factor in study breaks and free time. If you don’t allow yourself time to rest and step away from everything you need to do, you will eventually get burnt out and slow down in your productivity. Make sure you allow yourself some time to rest and relax in your busy schedule.
Consider when you work best
You know you best. If you are most productive in the mornings, plan your schedule around that. Or if you work better in the evening right after dinner, use that time be productive. Whenever it is, use your time wisely.
Prioritize your tasks
Consider the order in which you complete your tasks. How long it will take you? When must it be done by? How important is it? Think about these questions while your planning out your week so you can make sure everything that must be done gets done.