As Martha Stewart once said,
"So the pie isn’t perfect? Cut it into wedges. Stay in control, never panic"
But when you are a student, it can be obvious to spend time on all kinds of things. Maybe you scroll mindlessly on Instagram or binge-watch all ten seasons of the Office on Netflix. We've all been there, we're all guilty. But remember - time is like a currency. The more we spend it, the less we have and one day we'll have nothing left.
So what is the answer to save time and be efficient? It's...42. Kidding, it's discipline. Although it would've been nice if the answer was 42. You need to be disciplined, but being disciplined is hard work. It is a process of triumphs and tribulations. That's why you need systems to keep you in check and make it easy to follow through. With the right time management techniques, you'll be on your way to the stars in no time.
Here are some helpful methods that will help you.
- The bullet journal method
- The Eisenhower method
- The Pomodoro technique
- Always create a schedule and stick to it
- Prioritize tasks
The bullet journal method
"Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday and avoiding today - Don Marquis"
The bullet journal method is very impressive and it’s used by many people. The main idea here is that you can only take time, you can’t make it. That’s why you need to create a collection of logs and events, notes and then you can have collections that relate to the main idea. In each log you should write stuff down with short notations. This way you can identify what tasks you should focus on, what’s a priority, and you can also cross out the ones that you fulfilled or which are irrelevant right now.
The Eisenhower method
"He who every morning plans the transactions of that day and follows that plan carries a thread that will guide him through the labyrinth of the busiest life. - Victor Hugo"
Every student should try the Eisenhower method for a multitude of reasons. You create 4 blocks of tasks, and then you add every task in the proper block. You have 2 Important blocks and 2 Not Important blocks. The ones above, which are important, need to be classified into urgent and not urgent. The same thing needs to be done for the Not Important ones.
What this method does is it allows you to study better and organize your schedule without any pressure. Another thing you will like about this method is that it’s easy to get into and you will find it easier to visualize your tasks. It makes you happier and more productive, not to mention you can study more efficiently.
The Pomodoro technique
The timetable is protracted, fatigue increases, productivity drops, and the timetable again is protracted. - Francesco Cirillo
Using the Pomodoro technique is a very good option if you want to be very productive. What you want to do is to pick a task, use a 25-minute timer, then work on the task until that time is up. Take a break for 5 minutes, and then every 4 pomodoros you have a 15 to 30 minute break. This method is very important because it allows you to take breaks and maintain a high level of productivity. You also avoid overworking yourself, which is very important. You can find a Pomodoro timer online, but there are also real-life timers you can buy as well.
Always create a schedule and stick to it
One of the best ways to stay organized and manage your time is to have a schedule for every day. This is great because it maintains a very high level of productivity, and you will also be able to track every task with ease. Try it out, it’s definitely worth a shot and you will be happy with the results.
Prioritize tasks
Some tasks are more challenging than others, so you must learn how to prioritize them. Ideally, you want to have the more challenging tasks in the morning, and then the simpler ones later on, during the day. It will help you de-stress and unwind, and results will be great every time!
Conclusion
As you can see, every student can implement some unique, powerful time management techniques. These work great, and you will find yourself very happy with the results. Yes, it does take a bit of trial and error to use these ideas suitably, but they will help you become more productive, and that’s what matters in the end!