10 Best Time Management Skills for Students

Time management is a crucial life skill, and not only for students. By managing our tasks and organising the to-do lists, we create a clearer mind space and reduce stress levels, which in turn helps in improving performance, increasing focus, and results in healthier habits and more efficient study time. And here, we gathered the best time management techniques for students to help you get your life together!

1-Wake up early

The earlier you start your day, the less rushed you will be, and the more time you will have to get things done. Moreover, by waking up early, you will have the opportunity to dedicate some “you time” to do whatever makes you feel ready for the day. Whether it is working out, reading inspirational quotes, talking to your loved ones, taking a long shower, or indulging in your favorite breakfast.

2-Prioritise your tasks

Create the habit of writing down your weekly/daily tasks with their deadlines so you can properly decide which is more important and which can be kept last.
Moreover, you can do so with your personal errands as well to get your day all sorted out.

3-Check-in with yourself

You have been studying for several years now, so you probably know what makes you less stressed out while managing your tasks. Monitor yourself and decide if you prefer to start with the simple ones to check things off your list and be available for the bigger projects, or you would rather lead with the challenging task, if keeping it till the end will make you more nervous.

4-Use a checklist

Using a checklist can be very efficient in dusting off your work whether on paper or via a mobile application. It will also help you keep track of the duties you may forget about during a busy week.
According to psychology, checklists give you rapid hits of joy when you put that check in the box. A bonus indeed!

5-Plan your day ahead

First thing in the morning or last thing before bedtime, planning your day ahead is proven to increase productivity and manage study and work-related stress. Checking the completed tasks after a long day will also give you a boost of relief and confidence to continue the next day.

6-Keep your goals realistic

Shooting for the moon and expecting over-achieving results is certainly ambitious, yet it is not always practical nor realistic.
On the other hand, by setting small goals every day you will get more things done, create better habits, and feel more in control of your life, which will lead to incredible changes.

7-Cut off distractions

It is so hard to stay focused surrounded by all our digital age distractions, especially social media. Stay aware of the issue and try to keep your phone away from you during your studying to keep your mind focused. If we cannot keep you two apart, then downloading a distraction elimination app can be the way to go.

8- Use timed breaks (Pomodoros)

Take an advantage of the break between classes, activities, studying, or work to complete pending tasks. A popular technique is the Pomodoro, developed in the 1990s, which suggests working for short intervals and taking short, regular, timed breaks or “Pomodoros." For instance, you might use a timer to work in 25-minute sprints, broken up by 5-minute breaks away from your workspace, while taking a longer break, every fourth Pomodoro.

9- One thing at a time

Jiggling between multiple tasks is proven to significantly decrease IQ levels and you will end up not completing them efficiently. Always make sure to keep your focus on getting one task done before starting with the other. No matter how tempting it is!

10- Make time for the things you love

Aside from your busy schedule, setting time to do your favorite activities or spending time with the people you love should be on top of your priorities which will reflect on your day-to-day performance and overall wellbeing. By doing this, you will not only enjoy your time, but you will also feel more refreshed and ready to check things off your list.

Not a university student yet? Speak to an IDP counsellor now and let’s get the adventure started!