5 Tips on How to Manage Your Time Better!
by: Jasmine Gage '25
The fall semester is coming to an end and finals will be here before we know it. Around this time of the year it can be very easy to lose track of time and get overwhelmed with how we choose to make time for assignments, projects, and papers. As a student myself, I understand the constant rush of due dates and feeling like I always need more time to get things done. Truth is, sometimes the feeling of not having enough time to do things is mostly due to procrastination. When we procrastinate, we spend more time putting things off than we do to complete the assignment at hand. However, due to putting multiple things off at once we tend to not only add to the stress of closing deadlines but also struggle with time management. Luckily, here are 5 tips in order to help you manage your time better during finals week!
1: Create a To-do List
We may become overwhelmed when it comes to the large amount of assignments we have to complete and the little time we have to complete them, especially if you tend to procrastinate a lot. First, take a deep breath and relax your brain for a second. I know it may seem a bit frustrating at this moment in time, but you can get through this. Next, you should take out a piece of paper and write down what tasks, objectives, or assignments you want to complete in the time you have set aside. If they are tasks with deadlines, add the deadline date next to the assignment and maybe a few requirements of what you need to complete it. Once you have all of your tasks for the day or week written down, go ahead and plan out which ones need the most attention. Always try to keep in mind how much time you’re putting aside for each task and be patient with yourself.
2: Do One Thing At a Time
After you create your plan for the day or the week, go ahead and get started. Try to keep your attention toward one assignment at a time. You don’t want to try completing multiple tasks at once, which will lead you into burnout way quicker than you would like. Choose the assignment from your list that may not take a lot of time and focus on that task. Be sure to pace yourself and do what you can at a time.
3: Break Down Assignments Into Smaller Tasks
The end of the semester tends to come with big projects that may seem frustrating to start. You may be sitting in front of your computer, constantly reading over the rubric for the assignment and already starting to feel the pressure. Even though the task may seem very overwhelming, it's because of the perspective you’re viewing it. Instead, try to break down the task into smaller, manageable sections. You want to be able to make the assignment as manageable as possible for yourself so it can be easier to tackle.
4: Create Physical Reminders
Since deadlines are slowly inching closer and closer, we cannot keep up with the overwhelming amount of due dates within our heads. To lessen the load, try to create physical reminders such as using sticky notes, a whiteboard, or adding them into the calendar on Outlook! By using these different ways, you can learn how to keep up with your tasks, which can take more stress off your brain.
5: Use Breaks Wisely
Now I know we all love to enjoy very long breaks away from our current duties, but taking too much time can be harmful. If you are studying for hours, always try to frame your breaks around 15 to 30 minutes away from the screen or study guide to give yourself a bit of a break. Try not to go outside of the breaktime you’ve given yourself or it may slowly turn into procrastination. You also may want to keep in mind to not take very short breaks either since you want to give yourself time to relax from the hours of studying.
Hopefully these 5 tips can help you get a better grip on handling time and get things done while you have the chance! Good luck during finals week!
