We teach these 19 super-powerful time management tips in our Study Skills Class. Peers provide accountability and positive peer pressure to make these powerful management solid habits.
1. Create a time audit
The first step is finding out where your time actually goes. You may believe that you only spend 30 minutes on TikTok, but in reality that is eating up an hour and a half of your day. Consider tracking everything you do for a week — then make adjustments.
2. Set a time limit/goal for each task
Setting a time limit to each task prevents distractions and procrastination. This habit can become a game. Be sure to place buffers between tasks and activities.
3. Use a to-do-list, but don't abandon tasks
"All goals and projects are made up of smaller parts that need to be accomplished in order to achieve the goal, or complete the project. Create to-do lists for each goal, listing all the measurable steps." — William Lipovsky. Make a point of always returning to and completing interrupted tasks once you are able.
4. Plan ahead
Don't wake up without a plan. Either spend the last 15 minutes of the night organizing for tomorrow, or write down 3–4 most urgent items during your morning routine and work on those when you're most productive.
5. Spend your mornings on MITs
Mark Twain: "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning." Take care of your Most Important Tasks (MITs) in the morning when energy is highest. Use the feeling of accomplishment to fuel the rest of the day.
6. Learn to ask for help
Understanding assignments, formulas and homework means you will be more efficient and have more time for what matters.
7. Eliminate half-work
"In our age of constant distraction, it's stupidly easy to split our attention between what we should be doing and what society bombards us with." — James Clear. Block significant time to focus on one project and eliminate everything else.
8. Change your schedule
If you're struggling with time management, the solution may be as simple as changing your schedule. Try waking an hour earlier — it can give you time to exercise, plan, eat well, and work on side projects without being disturbed.
9. Leave buffer-time between tasks and meetings
The human brain can only focus for about 90 minutes at a time. Buffer time prevents running late and gives your mind room to recharge.
10. Get organized and single-task
The average American spends 2.5 days each year looking for misplaced items. Have a home for everything. Single-task. Multitasking is the main culprit for misplaced items.
11. Follow the 80-20 rule
The Pareto Principle: 80% of results come from 20% of effort. Look at your to-do list, identify the 20% that drives the 80%, and scale up effort on those.
12. Use a calendar
If you do not already use a calendar — start today.
13. Stop being perfect
Nothing will ever be good enough for a perfectionist. Do the best you can and move on.
14. Just say "No"
You can only handle so much. If your plate is full, decline politely until you have spare time.
15. Instill keystone habits
Charles Duhigg ("The Power of Habit"): habits like exercising, tracking what you eat, and developing daily routines transform your life. These habits replace bad ones and solicit other good ones.
16. Don't waste time waiting
Waiting time can be reading time, listening time, or planning time.
17. Find inspiration
When dragging, use a TED Talk, a biography, or extra prayer. Reignite the fire.
18. Batch similar tasks together
Don't answer emails throughout the day — schedule a specific time. Batching cuts out time spent reorienting between different types of thinking.
19. Do less
From Leo Babauta (Zen Habits): "less is better." Slow down, be aware of what needs to be done, concentrate on those things, and make every action count.