Time Management for Students
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ORIGINAL: https://medium.com/@brennanbrown/time-management-for-students-b4f71c36eb27
For the past few months, I've still been busy scribbling away on Journal.Kim where I do my best to keep myself accountable with a wide variety of habits and goals.
But, now, I'm starting a new chapter in my life -- I'm going back to school. More specifically, I'm getting a Bachelor of Arts and majoring in English. This is a rather stark pivot from my current work as a freelance web developer, but (pause for cliche) this is something I've truly wanted to do my entire life.
After a lot of thought over the year, the pandemic has made me re-evaluate a lot -- as I'm sure it has with many. And so I've decided to go completely head-on in my passion for writing and reading.
With that, there are a lot of things I need to re-learn. Going back to school as a mature student now means that there's re-calibration that's required. With that, I've decided to share some of my school's best time management tips for you all to enjoy.
"It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it."
-- Seneca, On the Shortness of Life
- Use "startlines": Startlines are equally, if not more, important than deadlines. Set a startline 2-3 weeks before each major deadline. This may sound like a lot of time, but don't forget, you may have work due for several classes. Give yourself enough time. Don't forget to set calendar alerts!
- Chip away at it: Large projects can be overwhelming. Doing a bit every couple of days helps make the workload more achievable and manageable, and minimizes stress. Keep up with everyday study tasks (like reading your textbooks) and start working on future projects early.
- Get specific! The more specifically you can describe what you want and what it takes to get there, the more likely you are to be successful. Becoming more self-aware is the first step toward staying on track and reaching your goals.
- What do you want? Be aware of your short-term goals (this season), your mid-term goals (1-3 years), and long-term goals (3-5 years). Clearly articulate these goals to yourself. Make your goals very specific.
- Do you have a regular routine? Regular routines help resolve some of the decision making that can wear you out.
Pro tip: Develop and practice small, easy-to-keep habits. Get dressed, set a timer, move to another study space, take a walk, study for a class at a certain time, talk to your instructor, take a yoga class, or start each reading by reviewing the last chapter. Stay on track!
- Draw on your personal network: Talk with your friends, family, and classmates about positive ways they can help you stay motivated.
- Switch things up: Change up your work space (in your home, in the office) if you can to create a feeling of different "schedule times" and "different activities" similar to "going from place to place." Moving from writing a paper at your desk, or computer, to reading in a chair by a window keeps your work space (and brain) fresh.
- Reward yourself: Turn your distractions (like Instagram or coffee breaks) into rewards. Tell yourself that you can "do the distraction" when you finish the small task.
Are you being kind to yourself?
Articulate what you want and describe to yourself step-by-step how you can get there. It's not silly. Think about how often the conversation in your head is worried, anxious, or harsh. Balance those thoughts with positive conversations and be kind to yourself.