Tips for effective time management
10/16/2017 12:00:00 AM
To be successful in your studies, you must be able to manage your time in a way that enhances your productivity. Here are our five top tips on how to do this.
Make a to-do list of all of your tasks, and divide them by how important and urgent they are. For example, if a task is both important and urgent, then do it straight away; if it is neither, then leave it until the end of the day.
You should also consider how long each task will take you. If you have a large piece of work to complete, start it in the morning to give yourself more time to finish it.
2. Don’t take on too much
You only have so much time in each day, so make sure you spend it on the most relevant tasks – keep an eye on your extra-curricular activities and ensure they’re not distracting you too much.
Making smart decisions about which tasks you take on also means that you can devote your entire attention to the things you really need to do, finishing them quicker and with better results.
3. Start work early
One of the most difficult habits to overcome is procrastination, but unfortunately the only way to get past it is to just do it.
Try starting your day with an easy task – something as small as checking and replying to all your emails – so you can begin with a little accomplishment. This sense of reward can spur you on to the next task, helping you to get stuck into your work right away.
4. Set time limits
There is a big difference between deciding ‘I will work on this until it’s finished’ and ‘I will work on this for three hours’. The former can lead to you working on one task for hours, trying to perfect every part of it; the latter will give you a goal to focus on and make you more efficient.
By setting a time goal, you can also allow for breaks and proofreading, rather than refusing to stop and tiring yourself out.
5. Take care of yourself
If you’re not taking care of your body and mind, you won’t be able to manage anything properly – including your time. Your brain won’t function well without food and rest, so make sure you take a break when you need it. Make sure you get enough sleep, set aside time for relaxation, and remember to eat and drink regularly.
Ready to get started? Explore our courses here.