Struggling with time management? We can help!

When it comes to time management, there are two types of people – which one are you? Ready and prepared for every class? Diligently taking notes and paying attention to every single word in the seminar? Submitting all your homework and assignments on time? If you were nodding while you read that, this article is probably not for you.

However, are you always running late, unprepared, arriving in class late and sweaty after sprinting up the stairs? When the teacher asks you a straightforward question on the discussed topic, do you just feel lost because you didn’t have time to do the reading? If this sounds familiar, don’t worry! We have some tips and tricks to help you organize yourself, and improve your time management skills.

First of all, plan ahead! Use a diary app, Google Calendar, or even pen and paper to plan things in advance. It is very useful to dedicate (for example) your Sunday evening to scheduling and preparation for the week ahead. Break your week down into days and fill in the upcoming events that you know are imminent – then simply follow the timeline you have set for yourself. This simple trick will set you on a path towards better time management.

Secondly, prioritize wisely. There will be days where things pile up – you can guarantee that! However, we believe it is better to have three tasks 100% complete rather than jump into seven tasks simultaneously and end your day with nothing completed. So set your priorities – and follow them!

Another important time management tool is the to-do list. A to-do list is just a simple list of things which must be done, and it helps by making your tasks visible every time you look at the list, and motivating you to be productive. Again, we highly recommend that you do not overload yourself. Better to do one task properly, once and for all, than three which will need to be redone.

Finally, one great tip for improving productivity and time management is the 90/20 rule. Set a timer, and work intensely and deeply for 90 minutes. No distraction, no other tasks – just 100% full focus on that one specific task. When the timer goes off, you have earned a 20-minute break. The break will let you recover your mental capacity, and then back to the grindstone. Give it a try!

UNYP’s Top Five Time Management Tips:

• Plan ahead, write your week down and follow it!
• Make adjustments, but try to stick to the plan as much as possible.
• Prioritize wisely when two events will be happening at once.
• Make yourself a to-do list – there is no greater feeling that crossing off a task after successfully completing it!
• Last but not least, give yourself a little break – after a productive session, you deserve it!