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Imagine this: it’s late in the evening, and your desk is stacked high with notes, textbooks, and half-empty coffee cups. You look at the clock and know you have a big assignment due tomorrow, but you haven’t done any work. Tension rises as you struggle to make sense of your notes and wonder how you will complete this task on time. If this sounds too similar, you are not alone.

Welcome to the art of time management, a skill as necessary as it is elusive. In this blog, we’ll look at time management techniques for students, providing you with practical advice and creative solutions to help you regain control of your academic and personal lives. Whether you’re juggling multiple courses, extracurricular activities, or a part-time job, learning how to organise your time can make the chaos manageable, even fun. Here’s a guide to mastering time management as a student…

Why do you need to know how to manage your time?

Time management is like having a superpower for students — it helps you transform chaos into control and turns stress into success. Imagine trying to juggle school, extracurricular activities and a social life without a plan; I can tell you what will result from that — chaos!

One of the most important lessons I learnt during the Summer School program at ����APP was time management. I completed half the programme while busy with school; so you can imagine how chaotic my life seemed then. I had to juggle my summer school work with my academic work and personal responsibilities and at some point, I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish everything in time. However, through learning essential time management strategies and following the guide I’m about to share below, I was able to balance my academic work, summer school, extracurricular activities and my social life while still finding some time to relax and binge-watch my favourite shows. You can do this too by practising the following steps.

1. Understand your time

The first step towards successful time management is understanding how you’re currently spending your time. After all, you can’t change something without understanding it first. Spend a week tracking your everyday activities, including anything from extracurricular activities to social media scrolling. Determine where your time is going, how long you spend on different tasks, and when you are losing critical time.

For example, when I did this exercise I was surprised to find that on average I spend about 3 hours scrolling on social media. Can you imagine how much progress I would’ve made had I spent that time doing something productive? Doing this exercise really helped me identify areas of procrastination and I was able to adjust my schedule accordingly, and make sure that I use my time efficiently.

There are various tools you can use to help track your time. I’d recommend time-tracking software like Toggl Track and Clockify; Calendar apps like Google Calendar and Notion as well as spreadsheets; ie. Google Sheets or Excel. Remember – Your main goal is to visualise your daily schedule and find patterns.

2. Set clear goals

Next, establish specific, attainable goals. The point is to set SMART goals; specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals that can be broken down into smaller, more doable activities. Instead of setting a generic objective like “write my English speech,” specify “begin drafting my English speech based on the points I’ve outlined.” This strategy makes your goals more attainable and increases the likelihood of achieving them.

3. Create a detailed and prioritised to-do list

Next, take an empty sheet of paper and list all of the tasks you need to complete, along with the deadlines. Once you’ve finished, take a new sheet of paper and begin prioritising jobs based on urgency and importance.

The Eisenhower Matrix, discussed in detail by , is a useful resource for this. It entails categorising your duties into four categories: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent or important. Prioritise things that are urgent and important, and schedule the remaining tasks around them.

Here’s an example of how you can apply this resource to writing an English Essay:

• Urgent and Important – Writing the first draft and submitting it on time.
• Important but not urgent – Developing an outline to organise your thoughts and arguments
• Urgent but not important – Proofreading and fixing format or grammatical errors.
• Neither urgent nor important – Additional reading of articles or papers that may not directly impact the essay

As students, we are sometimes assigned multiple tasks at the same time, and attempting to complete them all at once can be difficult and overwhelming – I know it was for me. I spent more time going over each item that needed to be completed and worrying that I wouldn’t have enough time to finish it all on time than I did actually doing anything productive. Organising my tasks based on urgency and importance allowed me to prioritise work that needed to be completed immediately, and because I was focussing solely on those tasks, I was able to accomplish them with enough time to focus on other tasks. You can do the same by integrating the Eisenhower Matrix technique into your planning.

4. Use a planner or calendar

Use planners, digital calendars, or scheduling tools to plan out your daily and weekly activities. provides a more descriptive look on how to use your calendar but I’ve outlined the basics for you.

Set aside specific time periods for studying, attending classes, tests, completing assignments, and any extracurricular activities you select. This should be easier to do once you’ve taken the time to understand your daily schedule and routines. Make sure to schedule rest intervals and breaks. It is recommended that you utilise a digital calendar or planner to receive notifications about upcoming tasks and deadlines.

A few apps I would recommend would be Google Calendar and Todoist. Not only do you have full access to edit your calendar as much as you please, scheduling everything to the tee, the platforms allow you to sync your calendar with other relevant apps, eg. emails, messages, notion… all to ensure you never lose track of your to do list.

Using a planner not only allows you to visualise and map out your schedule, but it may also help you organise your day and stay productive without burning out.

5. Implement time blocking

Time blocking, described well by , is a time management technique in which you divide your day into different blocks dedicated to specific tasks and activities. To get started, make a list of all your tasks and obligations. Then, give specific time blocks to all of your duties and obligations, ensuring that you allow enough time for each job and breaks in between.

For example, when I was working on my English essay, I set aside an hour between 16:00 and 17:00 to draft my essay, took a 15 minute break then set aside 30 minutes from 17:15 to 17:45 to check for grammar and spelling mistakes. Focusing on one thing at a time reduced distractions and increased my productivity, allowing me to handle my workload more efficiently. I’d recommend you use this technique so that you can experience the same benefits. You should also regularly examine and update your time blocks to reflect any changes in priorities or deadlines.

6. Implement the Pomodoro technique

The Pomodoro technique is a time management strategy that “utilizes fixed time intervals for focused work, usually 25 minutes, followed by short breaks. To use it, choose a task and set a 25-minute timer. Work on the task until the timer rings, then take a 5-minute break to rest and refuel. After four sessions, take a 15-30 minute break.

Let me demostate how I used this technique when writing my English essay. I used the first 25 minutes to work on the first 2 paragraphs, took a five minute break then used the next 25 minutes to work on the next 2 paragraphs and so on. I continued with this routine as I went through editing my final draft.

This strategy improves focus and productivity while minimising burnout by combining work with frequent rest periods. I’d recommend reading , published by The Pomodoro Technique for further insight.

7. Learn to say no

Distractions and unanticipated responsibilities contribute significantly to our inability to manage our time properly. Be mindful of how much time you have in a day as well as the things you need to do. Learn to say no to any task or favour that will consume too much of your time, especially if you have major assignments due or a long to-do list.

It is critical that you learn to say no to yourself and your impulses. Identify what usually distracts you, such as social media, constant notifications, noisy locations, or talks with friends, and develop techniques to reduce these distractions. You can use internet blockers, mute your phone, arrange certain check-in times, or find a quiet study location.

Time management is futile without self-discipline and introspection.

8. Reflect and Adjust

Time management isn’t a one time cure, it’s a continuous process. Review your schedule and goals on a regular basis to determine what is and is not working. Be adaptable and open to change your strategies as necessary. If you discover that particular approaches or strategies are ineffective, try out new ones until you find what works best for you.

9. Practice self-care

Effective time management is about more than just productivity; it is also about your overall well-being. As said by Amherst College, “It’s easier to get things done when you’re healthy.” Make sure you’re eating well, getting enough sleep, and scheduling time for physical activity. A healthy body and mind provide energy and a productive mindset, which significantly improves your ability to manage time. Personally, I love jogging and meditating to clear my head and reset. Usually after a good 20 minute jog and about 10 minutes of meditation, I feel relaxed and confident enough to tackle any tasks I have for the day. Make sure that whatever practices you implement in an effort to practice self care, help you clear your head and release any tension you might have so that you gave enough energy to focus on your duties and responsibilities.

10. Seek support and resources

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling with managing your time or your workload. Whether it’s talking to a mentor, joining a study group, or utilising university resources, seeking help can bring vital insight and relief.

Mastering time management isn’t only about creating a schedule, but also developing habits and routines to increase productivity and reduce stress. Understanding your time, creating clear goals, and using effective techniques will help you build a healthy and balanced student life. Start utilising these strategies today and see how your approach to time management transforms your academic path.