Imagine that someone gives you $86400 each day saying that you have to spend this in a day, and it will get vaporised just after 24 hours anyway. How would you spend that money? Would you not invest the money in the best possible way? Well, you are getting 86400 seconds every day and none of it is getting back once gone. Use them wisely.
Doing assignments, learning new class materials, acquiring skills and attending arduous tests are just a few of the timely chores you must do each semester. When you’re just getting back into the flow of things, time management may be quite difficult, particularly for adult students who have many other responsibilities. Here are ten time management tips to help you get everything done without becoming stressed out.
1. Plan
According to research, the time needed to complete a project decreases with the amount of effort put into its preparation. Make a routine for the day ahead. Otherwise, you’ll just do whatever happens to be on your desk at the moment. Also, you’ll fall into the trap of dealing with problems rather than focusing on opportunities. Make a broad plan for the day, focusing on the top two or three tasks that will help you reach your short- and long-term goals alike.
2. Create a Calendar
Make sure you don’t have a big assignment due in two days or a family dinner on the same night as your scheduled group study session. Make sure you have a detailed schedule of your future tests, projects, parties, and other activities well in advance.
Put your calendar in a visible location, probably above your desk. You can also go digital, be sure to review it first thing every morning. Integration with other apps, like your email, may help you work more efficiently. There are also apps like Google Calendar, Calendly, Outlook Calendar, and apple calendar.
3. Concentrate
If you leave a piece of paper out under the sun, it is not likely to burn. However, if you put a magnifying glass between the sunray and the paper sheet, it can burn the piece of paper. Focus is that magnifying glass. With it, you can burn what seems impossible without it. People that struggle with time management are often overcommitting themselves. Interruption-free intense focus counts more than how much time you spend on a task.
4. Set Reminders
After making a schedule, send yourself reminders to do things like preparing a note or arranging a study session with classmates. Knowing when things need to be done is vital, but staying on top of the little details is just as critical. You may use your phone, planner, or digital calendar to set a reminder.
5. Build a Personalised Schedule
It’s important to tailor a schedule only for yourself. Schedule in study time, extracurricular activities, housework, errands, and social events after you’ve accounted for regular obligations like courses and work shifts.
Working in your own rhythm is efficient. Do your best work in the morning if that’s when you feel most productive. If you find yourself dragging in the afternoon, give yourself permission to relax in front of the TV or meet up with friends without feeling bad about it. Time is valuable, therefore it’s important to create a timetable that works for you.
6. Don t Be Afraid to Say No
Perhaps the most efficient method for saving time is just saying “no” more often. Master the art of politely but firmly saying “no” to anything that won’t help you get closer to your goals. If you explain that you’d rather skip pointless tasks in order to devote more time to the things that really matter, you stand a far higher chance of being allowed to do so. Just keep in mind that many individuals who try to avoid upsetting others end up conforming their lives to the values of those around them.
7. Prioritise
In certain cases, there is simply just too much to accomplish and not enough time in the day. It’s important to take a little moment in these situations to assess your priorities. Think about your energy levels and which deadlines are most pressing.
If you find yourself unable to fit everything in, evaluate what you can put off or decline. If you need to put in one more library session before a tough exam, your friends will probably understand if you have to reschedule meeting up with them for coffee.
8. Delegate
You don’t necessarily have to be a high-ranked boss or the president of your country to delegate tasks. Parents who don’t make kids work around the house are just making things difficult.
If you are bombarded with numerous tasks, you should delegate some of them. You can even split up your studies with your mates. For example, while you prepare notes for an important topic, your best friend can find out what extra materials to read for this semester. If you try to handle everything on your own, you will end up in a mess. That extra time you save might be put to better use elsewhere.
9. Use Tools That Work For You
Your time management resources, like your calendar and planner, should be tailor-made to your needs. While some students still prefer paper planners and notepads, others have made the switch to digital resources. While a calendar is useful for long-term planning, most of these tools are more effective when used on a daily basis. Consider some of the following options and see which one works best for you:
Long-term commitments, such as due dates for essays, examinations, and meetings, might be easier to remember with the aid of a planner. Apps like Plum Paper, Moleskine, and Scheduling can help you big time.
If you are more of a minimalistic person and don’t want to see a crowded planner, you can check out these apps: Asana, Trello, Structured app and Note Taking
Managing your time between lectures, homework, and errands may be exhausting. Maintaining a central location for all of your belongings—whether you’re on the move or at your desk—can be a huge assist in terms of efficiency. Don’t worry. Apps like Bullet journals, Notion and Evernote have your back.
10. Be Realistic and Flexible
Inevitably, there will be days when you are unable to do everything on your to-do list. Keep your cool when things don’t go as planned. A flexible timetable is an essential part of time management. Don’t get too hard on yourself. If you stay committed, you will succeed anyway.
Remember, as Kay Lyons puts it, “Yesterday is a cancelled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is the only cash you have – so spend it wisely.”