Students struggle daily with procrastination and the bombardment of assignments. It’s easy for students to get burned out or lose track of their upcoming projects. Of course, the higher your education, the worse it seems to get. These tips for effective time management will help you solidify your schedule and keep you on track of your busy days.
#1 Use a Calendar
The first thing you should to do keep yourself organized is to get an agenda of some kind. Not only will you be able to track your daily and weekly tasks, but you’ll also be able to set reminders for yourself. In the middle of a busy school week, it’s easy to forget everything coming up. An organized calendar will also help you get a head start on your assignments, so you don’t fall behind and stress yourself out.
Undoubtedly, your school will have those laminated monthly calendars for sale in the bookstore. It’s worth looking into getting something huge to hang on the wall. This way, you can track upcoming events and assignments in a more obvious way. School calendars also allow you to enter your classes, which helps you monitor your school schedule.
#2 Work on Your Assignments Early
It’s easy to procrastinate when you have multiple assignments due. Just about every student falls into the same trap: you tell yourself you’ll work on it later and the next thing you know, you’re cramming for three exams. There’s no worse feeling than kicking yourself in the butt at the last minute for something you had weeks to finish.
When you’re assigned something, work on it as soon as you can. You don’t have to finish it that same day, but your future self will thank you for even knocking out piece by piece. By finishing assignments early, you also allow more time in your schedule for additional projects or even some much-needed downtime. Remember that working on something early also lets you ask your teachers or professors questions about difficult material. If you wait until the last minute, there’s no guarantee that they’ll answer you in time to improve your work.
#3 Carve Out Break Time
As easy as it is to procrastinate, it’s just as easy to slip into workhorse mode. The hours tend to slip by when we’re studying or trying to pump out 2,000 words for an essay. But, in order for your brain to function, you need to take breaks. Research shows that regular breaks increase your productivity and also improves your learning. The last thing you want to do is fall asleep at your desk or hand in a subpar assignment because your brain was way too fried.
#4 Get Rid of Those Distractions
It’s easier to focus in school because we don’t have as many distractions as we do in our homes. Plus, with the bed calling us for a nap, it’s hard to stay on track. But, just like people who work from home, students should have a designated study area that’s free of distractions.
During exam time, it’s not uncommon for students to deactivate their social media accounts. The less time you spend on your phone, the better. Consider following suit to enhance your focus. Additionally, don’t work anywhere with a television or a huge, well-known distraction in your life.
#5 Get Enough Sleep
We know the importance of break time, but getting a good night’s sleep is just as crucial. In a Scientific American article , science writer Ferris Jabr explains that “learning and memory depend on both sleep and waking rest.” They added that “downtime replenishes the brain’s stores of attention and motivation, encourages productivity and creativity, and is essential to both achieve our highest levels of performance and simply form stable memories in everyday life.”
So, be sure that you’re keeping a regular sleeping schedule. People aged 18 - 64 need anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep each night. After all, there’s a reason why your teachers and professors always advise you to get a good night’s sleep before a big test.
No one said that school was easy, but there are ways to lighten the load on your back. Get rid of those distractions and make sure you get enough downtime for your brain. Start your assignments early and keep track of upcoming assignments with a handy agenda. You’ll be back on track in no time.
