Do you ever feel like you’re trying to squeeze too much into one day? Are there just not enough hours to accomplish all of the things you need to do? Time management can be a tricky skill to learn. Some people seem to have a knack for juggling a broad range of commitments while still leaving plenty of time for friends, family, and hobbies. Others struggle just to finish the bare minimum each day.
Note what you’re doing. Write down exactly what you are doing at each point of the day and note how long you spend on each activity.Watch for problems. Pay attention to see which “time wasters” are eating up your free time.Consider ways to improve. Think about ways you might be able to streamline or consolidate certain tasks in order to free up more of your time.
A daily planner or calendar can be a good way to start tracking your time, but there are also plenty of online resources as well. Mobile apps can be a particularly great way to track your daily activities. Find something that works for you and then stick with it. After keeping track of your schedule for a few days, you might be surprised to see just how much time is wasted each week. Common time wasters might include:
Checking emailDealing with clutter and disorganizationPlaying video gamesSocial mediaUnnecessary interruptions from friends, family, or coworkersWatching television
Even if you are only spending a little bit of time on each of these activities, it can add up quickly. Over time, even these small sources of distraction can start interfering with your ability to accomplish the tasks you want to get done.
Give important tasks top priority. Start by writing down the essential things that you must accomplish every day, such as going to work or attending classes.Include secondary tasks. After those items have been accounted for in your schedule, start filling in the rest of the week with the other things you would like to do.Individualize your approach. Tackle the most important project first, but also pay attention to when you are the most productive.
For example, you might complete assigned readings on Mondays, review your notes on Tuesday, complete homework on Wednesday and Thursday, and leave Fridays open for various things that you would like to focus on a bit more.
Collect your tools. Make sure you have all of the supplies you need.Organize your work area. Make sure you have a comfortable place to work that is free of distractions.Visualize your schedule. Get a wall calendar or print out a copy of your daily schedule and post it in a visible place. Having clear reminders of what you need to get done each day can keep you on task.
Doing more than one thing simultaneouslyDoing multiple things quickly one after anotherSwitching back and forth from one task to another
What researchers have found is that having to constantly shift your attention from one thing to another diminishes your ability to work quickly and consistently. Of course, sometimes it can be very difficult to completely avoid multitasking. If you’re a parent, for example, you might find yourself juggling things like making dinner, caring for your kids, and trying to read a chapter from your textbook all at the same time. You can reduce the negative impact of multitasking by:
Devoting 10 to 20 minutes to a single task before switchingLimiting the number of tasks you are working onOnly multitasking when you are doing less important things
Waiting until the end of the week also ensures that you won’t have so many deadlines or other worries looming over your head and interfering with your leisure time.
A Word From Verywell
Finding time for everything can be tough, especially for busy students who are juggling class lectures, homework, and study groups along with all of their other duties. By implementing some useful time management techniques, you’ll be able to finish all of your obligations and still have time for friends, family, and fun.
