If you're reading this it's quite likely that time management is not your strong suit. You probably feel over-worked, over-tired and over it all!
But there is always light at the end of the tunnel. By identifying and using some simple time management tools that will improve your ability to manage your time effectively, you can quickly start freeing up more free time than you realized was possible.
Tip number one - to-do lists are your friend. If you want to know what you need to get done, then you need to actually write it down and assign a priority to it. So write down all the things that you want to complete and start putting them in order of their importance. People love listing items and then ticking them off as they go. It's very satisfying! It's also important that your to-do items are specific and it's easy to understand when you have completed it. Don't create items like "make a start on my history paper" because "making a start" is too vague. Instead, break the tasks down into simple tasks like "write the first sentence of my history paper." Makes sense doesn't it?
Tip number two - actually prioritize your tasks. Going to back to tip one, you should understand which tasks always come first and which tasks can always be put off. Think of them in terms of air, water and food. You can last seconds without air, days without water and weeks without food. So how quickly will you die if you don't do the task? That should help you clear up the priority level of the taskand also creep you out a bit.
Tip number three - lower your expectations. We all want to shoot for the stars - but don't put unreasonable pressure on yourself for no good reason. If you're taking too much on and it's taking too long because your expectations are way too high (for example, if you believe that nothing less than an A+ average for all your subjects is the only acceptable standard) then as soon as you slip under that extremely high standard a major meltdown will occur. So be committed to your ambition but not attached to every single outcome. If you are, you will spend way too much time focusing on things that don't always matter.
Tip number four - take regular breaks. It seems to make sense that if you work for 5 hours straight you will get 5 hours of work done. But the problem is that after an hour or so your brain will have turned to mush and a quick freshen up is required. So after 5 hours of non-stop study you will probably be in a catatonic state where you thinking running around your house peeing on "your territory" sounds like a good idea. Instead of that, a ten minute break every hour will really help your batteries to recharge and your mind to rejuvenate itself. Go for a walk, have a chat to someone, listen to some music or grab a cup of java, but whatever you do, stay away from the cat bowl!
Tip number five - overcome any tendency to procrastinate. We all do it. Something is due but we can't be bothered so we do nothing. Life's hard. We get it. Everything is hard. We get that too. But if you don't do the work it will catch up with you. So just do it! Get off your butt and get to work. But don't worry about completing the whole thing. If you have to write a paper just write one paragraph - or even one sentence. If you have to complete a worksheet of Maths homework just do the first question. Instead of getting overwhelmed and anxious about having to complete the whole task just make sure that you first get started. It's easier to keep going once you actually start.
But there is always light at the end of the tunnel. By identifying and using some simple time management tools that will improve your ability to manage your time effectively, you can quickly start freeing up more free time than you realized was possible.
Tip number one - to-do lists are your friend. If you want to know what you need to get done, then you need to actually write it down and assign a priority to it. So write down all the things that you want to complete and start putting them in order of their importance. People love listing items and then ticking them off as they go. It's very satisfying! It's also important that your to-do items are specific and it's easy to understand when you have completed it. Don't create items like "make a start on my history paper" because "making a start" is too vague. Instead, break the tasks down into simple tasks like "write the first sentence of my history paper." Makes sense doesn't it?
Tip number two - actually prioritize your tasks. Going to back to tip one, you should understand which tasks always come first and which tasks can always be put off. Think of them in terms of air, water and food. You can last seconds without air, days without water and weeks without food. So how quickly will you die if you don't do the task? That should help you clear up the priority level of the taskand also creep you out a bit.
Tip number three - lower your expectations. We all want to shoot for the stars - but don't put unreasonable pressure on yourself for no good reason. If you're taking too much on and it's taking too long because your expectations are way too high (for example, if you believe that nothing less than an A+ average for all your subjects is the only acceptable standard) then as soon as you slip under that extremely high standard a major meltdown will occur. So be committed to your ambition but not attached to every single outcome. If you are, you will spend way too much time focusing on things that don't always matter.
Tip number four - take regular breaks. It seems to make sense that if you work for 5 hours straight you will get 5 hours of work done. But the problem is that after an hour or so your brain will have turned to mush and a quick freshen up is required. So after 5 hours of non-stop study you will probably be in a catatonic state where you thinking running around your house peeing on "your territory" sounds like a good idea. Instead of that, a ten minute break every hour will really help your batteries to recharge and your mind to rejuvenate itself. Go for a walk, have a chat to someone, listen to some music or grab a cup of java, but whatever you do, stay away from the cat bowl!
Tip number five - overcome any tendency to procrastinate. We all do it. Something is due but we can't be bothered so we do nothing. Life's hard. We get it. Everything is hard. We get that too. But if you don't do the work it will catch up with you. So just do it! Get off your butt and get to work. But don't worry about completing the whole thing. If you have to write a paper just write one paragraph - or even one sentence. If you have to complete a worksheet of Maths homework just do the first question. Instead of getting overwhelmed and anxious about having to complete the whole task just make sure that you first get started. It's easier to keep going once you actually start.
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