Time Management For Students: An Idiot’s Guide

 “Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends.” – William Shakespeare

As a university student, being able to organise your time is a fundamental skill. You have to be able to organise and manage your time to ensure a smooth run – something at which few scholars are skilled.

If you feel like you’re struggling, don’t worry. Take a deep breath and see how the following tips can help you manage your time at university.

Dear diary

Sometimes it can all get a bit much. Lectures, tutorials, coursework, mock exams and real exams converge with startling alacrity. You might have to attend a family get together or drive up to see your best friend for their birthday. The flow of things to do is endless.

How to keep up? Get a diary. And get a diary that works for you: a planner, journal, and moleskin, whatever tickles your fancy. Just make sure you keep an updated record of your university timetable and deadlines.

Don’t procrastinate!

American researchers suggest that 80 – 95% of students procrastinate. University life can be stressful and a lot of hard work. Sometimes we put off studying.

It’s understandable, especially if you have a 10,000 word dissertation due. Fear can creep in and before you know it you waste 4 hours watching Game of Thrones. Then you kick yourself with guilt.

First, step away from your phone. Literally. Put it across the room, away in a locker or in your bag. Your phone is your biggest distraction. Second, no social media websites or apps. That means no Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Tumblr etc. Third make a commitment to studying for 30 minutes-60 minutes without distractions.

Discipline yourself and don’t stray from this path of commitment. Your studies come first (unless it’s an emergency!).

Find your zen

Amongst your busy halls, house or flat, there may be little room to study. So find your ‘Zen desk’. Somewhere peaceful and where you can focus. Don’t choose your universities common room, the nearest Starbucks, or MacDonald’s. You need somewhere just for you, where you can sit without interruptions.

You can get more work when you have a nice quiet and clean study space. Seek and you shall find!

P.E = plan and execute

They say if you have no plan, then prepare to fail. And it’s true! At university, draw up a weekly, monthly and year plan. Alternative you can draw up a plan for each term. You can fill these plans of what your academic, personal and social aims are for that time. It will give you direction and something to work towards.

Your university may also offer help on planning your time. LSE, University of Sussex, University of Leicester, University of Manchester all have tool-kits especially designed to help you out. Find out what help is offered at your university and sign up ASAP.

If there are gaps or blank periods in your plan, fill them in. You can join a society, or apply for an internship. There are lots of students who decide to undertake spring/summer internships, as this is the time when they are free. Check out TargetJobs for current vacancies for this academic year.

If you have a plan, great! Now execute. That means putting things into action, without delay. Not after the weekend, do it right now. Once you bring yourself to start, it’ll be much easier to reach the finish line.

Sleep

Experts recommend that “Adults aged 18 to 64 need to sleep for seven to nine hours a night…”  If you’re coping on less than this, your body is being deprived. Without adequate sleep, it’ll be tough to focus on your studies and stay alert and awake in classes. It may be difficult squeezing in an extra couple of hours sleep, but your body needs rest too. A rested body and mind will make for better productivity.

Managing your time at university can be an easy task. It’s all about careful planning, discipline and rest. So start right now and don’t delay. You can do it!

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