The most challenging thing about studying is probably the right allocation of time to develop your essay writing skills, do your home assignments, engage in social activities, read books, watch movies, go out with friends, and attend various extra classes.
Therefore, each student needs to know the basic time management techniques and be able to apply them in practice.
Some people think that time management is an unattainable skill, which is very difficult to master.
In fact, it is just an organized approach to time management that prevents slow learning, provides an inspiration to move forward, and brings productive results.
The advantages of well-organized time are obvious. When there is a clear plan of action, then there is more freedom; the person knows what he should do at a certain time.
Such self-organization removes uncertainty and focuses on getting better results. It helps to get the most out of all activities, creates a good balance of learning and freedom, and benefits in many areas of life for many years.
Learning the basics of time management, it is essential to realize that it is not just a set of mandatory rules and techniques. It is a lifestyle that helps to feel under your own control.
How to apply time management in studies?
1. Analyze how much time you spend during the day and on what
This will allow you to learn how to “feel” it and help you understand how much time you spend on various tasks and activities.
2. Set goals and control how you achieve them
Set goals for the day, week, month, year, ten years, and achieve them.
It would help if you constantly analyze how close you are to your dream, what you have done, and what remains to be done. This helps to reach the desired result, without delaying it to never.
3. Make a detailed to-do list
If it is an enormous, complex task, break it down into subtasks.
Make sure that the frightening task is divided into sections, each of which is a small, uncomplicated, feasible step on the way to the realization of the planned task.
4. Plan
If you want to keep up with everything, you just need to learn the basics of planning.
Be sure to write down the assignments in a notebook or organizer. All tasks that are not written down are very likely to be forgotten and never implemented.
5. Don’t over-plan
The to-do list for tomorrow should contain no more than 10-12 points. And one of them must be devoted to making a to-do list for the next day.
6. Use colorful stickers
By assigning a different color to each list and assignment, you can more easily navigate through the priorities and analyze the time spent.
7. Use three grades in your planning
The three grades are short, medium, and long term. It is great way to describe your daily, weekly, and long-term goals.
The best time to prepare a short-term to-do list for tomorrow is in the evening.
8. Prioritize
In order to understand where to start, you need to highlight the most critical and urgent cases and start implementing your plans, starting with them.
You can use the following scheme: divide all your cases into three lists – A, B, and C.
In the A list, you should write down all the critical tasks to your goal (important and urgent), and you should do them the same day. You should try not to postpone these tasks to tomorrow. Get started right away. The sooner you get rid of them, the more time you have left.
The B list includes less urgent but still important ones. You start working on the task from list B when you have finished everything from the A list.
The C list covers all the assignments and issues you have to deal with only when the previous two lists have been completed.
9. Cross out the completed tasks
This will bring you not only a sense of moral satisfaction, but also will clearly show what is left to be done, thus helping you to plan the next day more rationally.
10. Allocate time for rest
You should add rest to your schedule, and it would be nice to spend it outside in the fresh air. The change of physical and mental activity will help you switch, tune in to the positive vibes, and gain strength.
This is essential in all circumstances and all living conditions.
11. Do not put things off for later
Do not try to put something aside, thinking that they will resolve themselves. This will not help but only aggravate the situation.
If you put things aside, they will grow like a snowball, and at some point, you will realize that there is no stopping this snowball. To prevent it from crushing you, you must do everything on time.
12. Clean up your workplace
Sitting at a clean table, where everything is arranged in places, is much more comfortable and pleasant than trying to find a place among a mountain of piled objects.
So, be sure to clear your workspace, and thus save time on searching for the right things because you will always know where they are.
13. Try to be less distracted
The less distracted you are, the better, faster, and more productive your work goes.
Turn off your TV and close any unnecessary tabs in your browser. Don’t get distracted by other important things while you’re busy doing one of them.
It’s better to concentrate on one task. You don’t have to grab everything at once.
14. Remove the phone
It is desirable to go to another room. Let it lie there for the next three or four hours. Nothing terrible will happen if you do not update the Instagram feed every minute.
You should remove all objects that you can twist in your hands, examine, dismantle, break, thumbnail, knock, draw, and roll. They will not help you but rather distract you.
15. Learn to say “no”
There are many cases in life when you should confidently give up another problem, which is heavily imposed on you.
Think about the fact that it is easier to drown in your affairs and concerns than to solve them. Grabbing for something else, trying to help another person, is at least irrational for you.
First, look into your notebook and clarify how you are dealing with the solution of your personal problems and concerns before taking an extra task.
16. Use a calendar
It is very convenient to use a calendar for a broader perspective of the week, month, trimester, semester, year. Mark upcoming activities along with dates.
17. Keep calm
Do not panic if you have more tasks than you can accomplish.
If you want to be productive, you should always use the basics of time management, and you’ll notice how easy it is to manage everything if you plan your activities according to the set priorities.
Using the basics of time management, it is important to understand that success in learning is not only the amount of time spent on the study, but the quality of its planning.
Some subjects require more time and attention than others. It can be difficult to keep track of everything during the week, but with proper planning, it is possible.
