Time is the most important resource in your life and in your academic path to success. Yet, in spite of our best intentions, the midpoint of a semester often brings angst. Studying for an exam in one class competes with the completion of papers and projects due in others.
And then there are the distractions. Whether it's environmental noise, digital temptations, or mental fatigue, everything seems to take longer than expected.
There are a multitude of articles on time management, and books on the subject represent a multi-million dollar industry. What is important to realize is that a strategy that works for one person may not work at all for another.
Following are some of the most time-tested strategies. Becoming significantly more successful doesn’t require doing them all.
Know Thyself
Successful time management starts with self-awareness. Consider your personality, strengths, and challenges. When have you been most productive in the past? What conditions supported that success?Many USG eCampus students believe that harder tasks, such as writing an essay, are more easily accomplished in the morning. Yet there are others who find that their creativity peaks after the sun goes down. Try doing tasks that require higher-order thinking at various times of the day and identify what works best for you.
If you're naturally organized, you may thrive with structured plans and schedules. If you're more spontaneous or creative, flexible systems—like simple checklists or visual calendars—can help keep you on track without stifling your creativity. Distraction-prone individuals often benefit from quiet spaces and analog tools like pen and paper over working on a computer in a bustling environment.
It’s also important to experiment to determine whether you are better motivated with smaller, chunked, self-imposed deadlines or with a more traditional list of longer-range objectives and deadlines.
Use the 3-3-3 Rule
On your working or studying days, spend three hours on your most pressing priority. Complete three short tasks that will give you a sense of achievement and make you feel like a winner. Finally, complete at least three maintenance tasks that help you get organized, such as updating your calendar, double checking upcoming due dates, or organizing online files.Make Lists
Just the act of writing out all that needs to be done is an achievement in itself. Yet many people skip this important piece of getting organized.Not all lists are created equal. Find a format that suits you: a digital app, a spreadsheet, a sticky note system, or a pocket-sized notebook.
Use lists for daily priorities, weekly goals, and even random thoughts you want to revisit later. The act of writing itself can be grounding and motivating.
Follow the 3-Minute Rule
Never postpone doing something that will take you less than three minutes to achieve. It will actually take longer to wait - most of the time.Focus on the Priority
No matter how organized you are, there will always be a time that you’ve waited until the last minute to get something done. When you're short on time, identify your most urgent task and focus your energy there.To avoid burnout, try working in focused 45-minute intervals, followed by short, timed breaks. This technique helps maintain momentum while preventing mental fatigue.
Find the Right Space
For projects that don’t require collaboration, many find it helpful to be in a comfortable, quiet space with few distractions. This can be difficult if you have young children, roommates, television sets on, or other interruptions.One useful tip is to find a primary quiet location that is designated as your study or work space. Alternatively, you may find that you achieve certain tasks better in early morning hours or late at night when your world is more quiet.
Attend to Physical Health
While you may find it useful to complete high-level homework assignments at various hours of the day or evening, it’s also important to set aside time for sleep. A lack of sleep is one of the greatest barriers to productivity.For those who are among the many who have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, try diet modifications, increased exercise, and relaxation exercises. If issues persist, you may benefit from a visit to your physician and possibly a sleep study
Avoid Perfection
Accept that few projects or homework assignments (outside of concrete subjects like math) will ever be perfect. There is always an improvement that can be made. Be able to recognize when what you have produced is"good enough." The move on.If you’d still like to take one last pass at that paper, consider taking a 24-hour break away from it and looking at it with fresh eyes before you turn it in. Always remember … “perfectionism is just another form of procrastination.”
Progress Not Perfection
You don’t need to master every time management technique to be successful. Start with what resonates, adjust as needed, and be flexible. The goal is not rigid control, but intentional progress toward your academic goalsUSG eCampus is a service unit of the University System of Georgia that assists SACSCOC-accredited USG institutions in administering quality, affordable, high-demand, post-secondary online degrees and credentials that address the workplace needs of Georgia and beyond.
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By Austen Clay, anclay@ecampus.usg.edu
Media Contact: Katie Black, kblack@ecampus.usg.edu
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