When exam time rolls around, students everywhere start struggling with time management and handling the pressure of it all. After all, it can take a lot of practice to find a balance between home, work and studies. The good news is that investing the time upfront to arrange your priorities is one of the best ways to ensure success when it comes to taming your schedule. In fact, proper time management for students is one of the best ways to reduce some of those insane stress levels. Try our top 5 tips for students who are ready to take control of their time:
1. Identify and eliminate distractions
Take a moment to list all of the things that distract you from your priorities. When you’re in procrastination mode, how do you fill your time? Now eliminate these from your productive environment. For example, while you’re studying or writing, turn off your phone’s ringtones and vibrations while putting it out of sight and only checking it every hour or even less.
2. Hone in on the task at hand
Try not to get bogged down by the overwhelming big picture. Plan your day in increments. Then really give your full focus and devotion to each task. Whether it’s a workout at the gym, research for a paper or attention during a lecture, make a willful choice to completely immerse and involve yourself in each activity. With practice, you’ll be developing your skills at eliminating distractions and setting aside enough time for activities with clear goals. Becoming super productive will happen naturally.
3. Become one with your calendar
Set up a digital calendar wherever you feel comfortable, one that is easily accessible from your phone or computer. Plan your days and overall weeks ahead of time and continually update your calendar as tasks or appointments are completed or shifted. Once you have your calendar and daily tasks set up, you should be well on your way to using this bird’s eye view for better time management. Also, remember to factor in extra time in case an activity takes longer than expected.
4. Remember to reward yourself
You need to treat yourself when you’re doing well and this means scheduling in some downtime to actually have a life outside of work and studies. Taking vacations and also short breaks in between activities and tasks, allows your brain to be more productive in the long run. However, be strict about not overindulging in too much downtime until tasks are completed.
5. Take care of your health
Never underestimate a good night’s sleep for making sure your body and mind are rested and fresh for the next day. It can be near impossible to concentrate if you are too sleep-deprived from pulling an all-nighter study session. Manage your time so that vital elements like sleep, exercise, hydration and good nutrition are never compromised. In return, your body will reward you with sustainable energy to tackle your studies and tasks.