Preparing for classes, learning new things, and studying for exams while making sure your social life stays unaffected can become very hectic. If you often find yourself wondering where time is flying, you are not the only one. In fact, students are now becoming busier, thanks to the cutthroat competition that is pushing them to do more.
Most students wish there were more hours in a day, which oly makes them anxious. Most career and student counselors spot this as a sign of an inability to manage time. Counsellors claim that when work is designated and distributed based on time, it boosts productivity and eventually helps make the lives of students stress-free.
However, time management tips in the time of technology and endless social media scrolling can become very difficult to follow. Most students start learning, only to get distracted and then next thing they know, they have wasted hours scrolling through their phone. This lack of setting priorities, and procrastinating can send you on a guilt trip. If you feel your execution and willpower are not strong enough, you are not the only one. With the help of the right tools and techniques, you can easily make the most out of your days.
With the help of this article, we will go through some of the signs that help identify that you are not able to manage your time effectively. Then we will explore a few tools that you can use for planning your routine. Finally, we will also mention basic planning techniques for improving time management skills.
Common Signs of Poor Time Management:
- You get easily distracted and struggle while focusing on a task.
- It takes you longer to complete simple assignments or homework.
- You stall tasks to the last minute or never start at the right time.
- You miss out on deadlines or keep working till the deadline.
- By the end of your task or assignment, you rush things and feel guilty when you do not give your 100%
- You feel guilty for sleeping too much but your body stays tired.
- You feel frequent burnout.
- You are stressed about work all the time.
- You struggle with your daily tasks and keep working on them but never finish.
Time Management and Productivity Boosting Techniques for Students
How to boost productivity is one of the most spoken about and searched topics in today’s world. In fact, everyone from business owners, to students, and even parents try to explore this topic. As a student, learning can be boring and dry if you do not know what type of learner you are, and you might not be able to reach your full potential. Similarly, some people work better under pressure while others struggle under pressure.
Some of the best time management and productivity-boosting methods for students include:
Pomodoro Productivity Boosting Technique
Pomodoro is an effective time management tool to help you improve focus and productivity. Usually, the assigned time is divided into 20-25 minute sessions, and after each session, there is a 5-minute break. However, the duration of each break gets longer as each session continues. The session and break time can be adjusted based on personal preference as well.
Calendar Management
Calendar listing is another very helpful method. It has been part of staying organized for a long time and in recent times, it has become very popular. Now there are calendar-based apps that can help you list down important tasks that you need to do in a day.
Set A Reminder
Setting reminders helps in assigning yourself a time bracket so you can stay organized. Most people have a deadline to meet. However, if you set multiple soft reminders, this will eventually help you stay on track.
Make a Schedule
Schedule building is a very good habit and it helps keep you in check. Schedule building helps with setting a routine so the body gets accustomed to a fixed schedule and getting tasks done on time.
Seek Support
Peer support is especially important if you struggle with meeting deadlines. Make friends who have good work ethic and tell them to give you reminders, this will help you stay social without skipping important academic deadlines.
Best Tools and Apps to Help You Plan Your Routine
As a student, you might have struggled with small tasks just because you stall things till the last minute. Most kids head to student counselors to help optimise their routines. A good student counselor can easily help you design an effective daily routine but, there is no way a counselor can help you with execution.
You have to take charge of the execution process so you can become the best and most productive version of yourself. This is where you can make the best use of new technology, especially productivity-boosting tools and apps that are already available. These time-management tools can give you a gentle nudge so you feel the same anticipation as you feel when the deadline is approaching.
Here are some of the simplest productivity tools that you can use:
Quizlet
Ideal tool for memorization and revision. Quizlet helps you attempt a mock quiz, learn through short notes, and revise via flashcards. This app can become your study buddy at any time you want. You can revise the syllabus, test your knowledge and see the progress for yourself.
Evernote
Evernote is an on the go note taking app for everyone. Now with the help of this app, you can simply list down all the essential details you need for preparing for your test and learn on the go. You can be sitting in a café, in your gym, or waiting for your cab to arrive. With Evernote your favorite place can turn into your study room and you will be able to learn anytime anywhere without feeling the guilt of wasting time.
Marinara Timer
This app is based on the Japanese learning method also known as the Pomodoro method. Students who find it difficult to focus need to utilize this app. With the help of this app, you can choose your preferred session length and the app will offer you a break time after each session is completed. Simple, effective, and extremely easy to follow, this app will remarkably boost your productivity.
Hippocampus
If you are tired of boring textbooks, this app will change your learning routine. Perfect for auditory and visual learners, it is an extremely engaging app that will boost your interest in the topic. Most topics can be dry and you might feel like giving up. However, the Hippocampus will offer you fun cues, multimedia content, and much more so the information can become a part of your long-term memory.
Todoist
Todoist is the digital way to boost your productivity and make a to-do list. With the help of Todoist, you can simply list down each task and set a date and timer for it. You can list the simplest tasks like starting a new chapter or getting ready for studying or something complex and challenging like completing each subject within a few hours.
You can also add repeated tasks so it can become a routine. Additionally, you can also add new tasks that are not part of your daily routine. As a student, this app is excellent regardless of your learning pattern or the level of understanding
Bottom Line
Regardless of your age, the profession you choose, and the amount of work you have, time management will instantly help you boost your productivity. However, if you still find yourself struggling with your academics, you need professional help from a good private tutor. If you are looking for a good private tutor, you need to take help from Corvus. For more details about and meeting specialized teachers, reach out to us.