Sometimes students struggle with how to manage their time and the difficult part of maintaining a balance between a part-time job, studies, extracurricular activities, and family time, among others. Besides trying to achieve the desired results in each of these aspects; therefore, controlling time effectively is not an easy task, for that reason, it is important that students have a system, strategies, tools and tips for effective time management while studying that can help them to handle their time effectively.

What are the tips for effective time management while studying that can help students?

  • Keep a to-do list or an agenda

In order to organize all the weekly assignments that are coming, and with this never forget to keep track of your time nor need to remember everything in your head. It makes it easier to plan, prepare and execute without the worry of leaving it behind or procrastinating it. The best part is that it is possible to use the simplest tool such as a notebook or free online agenda and not have to spend a cent on it.

  • Focus on the most important tasks first

Do not forget what top priority tasks are on your list, you always should try to focus and get done the most important tasks in order to have more time to do the smaller ones and to have free time for yourself. If you leave the shorter tasks for later then you will probably take care of those ones faster and start crossing off points on your list. Besides, people could have more energy in the morning, so it would be better to finish off the time-consuming tasks right away and feel more relaxed the rest of the day.

  • Is OK to say no sometimes

People can find themselves under a lot of pressure because of all the assignments they believe they can carry and perform well; however, sometimes it is important to understand the concept that quality is better than quantity, and get involved in a lot of things at the same time such as (clubs, student council, extra time in the job, volunteering, etc.) can far outweigh the benefits of what you are planning to achieve. Sometimes is better to say no and stick with the responsibilities until you think is possible to add more activities. But always remember that you are the only one that can set up boundaries for yourself, so do not eat more than you can chew it could end in a stressful mess.

  • Look for tools or techniques that can help you concentrate and remove distractions

Nowadays there are tons of apps and gadgets that can help with time management. Some techniques that might work are the Pomodoro technique which is great if you want to set up specific work or study times to focus and then have short breaks in between or the 80/20 rule which implies that 20% of your efforts generate 80% of results, and there are so many more techniques that you can look for and take advantage of. Other tools that you can use are websites for planners, focus keepers, agendas with reminders, digital assistants, calendars, and even apps that can give you reports of how you are using your time and which tasks you are putting more time on.

  • Leave some space for yourself

Not everything can be work and study at all times, there should be some space where you can do things that you like such as watch movies or series, play videogames, go for a walk, enjoy some outside activities, read a book, do exercise, breath, etc. There are many things to do in your free time to clear your mind and make you feel calmer.

For more information about how to distribute tasks and time, please contact us.