Everyone gets the same 24 hours each day.
Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa, Isaac Newton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Leonardo da Vinci β they all had 24 hours a day, just like you and me.
What enabled them to lead such significant lives?
They managed their time well.
This article is all about effective time management tips for students.
As a student, I got straight Aβs while sleeping eight hours a night, and graduated from Duke University with a GPA of 3.98/4.0.
(I donβt say this to boast, because education definitely isnβt only about getting straight Aβs!)
But given that so many students ask me to share time management tips with them, I decided to compile the best ones I know.
By putting the tips in this article into practice, youβll become more focused and less stressed.
Youβll have more time to do meaningful things outside of school too!
So letβs take a look at the 45 tips.
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1. Take a study break every 40 to 50 minutes
Research shows that working in blocks of 40 to 50 minutes is optimal for productivity.
If you feel as if you canβt focus for that long, try out the Pomodoro Technique for a start.
2. If youβre feeling unmotivated, set a timer for two minutes
If you donβt feel like doing work, set a timer for two minutes. Then tell yourself that you just need to focus for that amount of time.
Chances are that once youβve started work, youβll continue even after the two minutes are up.
3. Make good use of your travel time
Itβs tempting to use your commute time to surf the Internet or go through your social media feeds.
But you can use the time to think about a concept you havenβt grasped, write in your gratitude journal, or listen to an audiobook.
This is a simple time management tip that goes a long way in helping you become a successful student!
4. Keep a time log for a few days
Do you feel as if youβve been unproductive, but youβre not sure where all your time has been going?
If so, I recommend that you keep a time log for three to four days.
Keep track of everything you do during those few days. Youβll then have a much better idea as to how you can manage your time more effectively.
5. If you donβt understand a new concept, speak to your teacher right away
If you do this, youβll save a lot of time in the long run, because youβll be clarifying your doubts as they arise.
6. Keep an ongoing list of every single thing you have to do
Donβt rely on your brain as a storage device.
Instead, write down every single thing you need to do: assignments, projects, errands, etc.
Review the list daily to ensure that youβre working on the most important task at any given time.
By doing this, you’ll become a far more organised student.
7. Unfollow everyone on social media, except the people you really care about
I did this a year ago, and itβs saved me hundreds of hours!
Not only that, I realise that I donβt even miss not getting updates from most of those people Iβd been following.
8. Turn off notifications on your tablet and phone
Do this and say goodbye to all the interruptions youβve been getting when you were supposed to be focusing on your schoolwork.
This tip alone will make you a much more productive student.
9. Unsubscribe from all YouTube channels
This tip is similar to Tip #7. If you unsubscribe from all YouTube channels, youβll discover that there are only a few channels whose videos you really enjoy.
These are the channels that youβll intentionally visit so you can watch the latest videos theyβve posted.
Which means you donβt actually need to subscribe to these channels!
10. Mute your group chats on your phone
In most group chats, thereβs a lot of βnoiseβ β messages that are neither urgent nor important.
Mute your group chats, and look through them once a day to ensure that you havenβt missed out anything important.
11. Use a very long password for your tablet and phone
Set a password thatβs 15 to 20 characters long.
By doing this, youβll become more conscious about when and how you use your tablet and phone.
You wonβt use these devices mindlessly, which means that youβll become a more focused and effective student.
12. Delete all social media apps on your tablet and phone
Once again, this tip will empower you to use your tablet and phone more intentionally.
If you want to check your social media feeds, you can still do so through the Internet browser.
But youβre less likely to do so as often because of the slight inconvenience, as compared to opening the social media app directly.
13. Before you start a study session, put your tablet and phone in another room
This is a simple way to ensure that these electronic devices donβt distract you.
By maximising the effectiveness of each study session, youβll manage your time better.
14. At the beginning of each study session, write down the task youβre going to work on
Itβs easy to get sidetracked during a work session, which is where this study tip comes in handy.
On a rough sheet of paper, write down the specific task youβre going to work on (e.g. Science assignment, Question #1 to 5) and put it on your study table.
This will remind you to maintain your focus on that task as youβre working on it.
15. Create a rough schedule for each day of the week
Every successful person I know follows a daily routine. So do these famous people.
To be a master of time management, create a schedule for each day of the week, e.g. when youβll exercise, relax, study, spend time with family.
Itβs impossible to follow the schedule to the minute. But youβll be far more productive if you use the schedule as a rough framework, rather than not using a schedule at all.
16. Be realistic about what you can accomplish each day
Many students overestimate what they can accomplish each day. When they donβt manage to complete everything they intended to, they get discouraged. As a result, they lose the motivation to study.
So be realistic when you plan your day, and assume that there will be a few unforeseen interruptions.
17. Make time to reflect on a weekly basis
Once a week, take ten minutes to think about the week gone by.
Think about what went well and what didnβt go so well.
Decide what changes youβll make in the coming week, and write them down.
18. For every homework assignment you receive, decide when youβre going to start working on it
Be as specific as possible, e.g. βIβm going to start working on the English essay this coming Wednesday at 4 p.m.β
This is far better than saying to yourself, βIβm going to start working on the English essay as soon as possible.β
(On a related note, you might be wondering: “When is the best time to study?” To answer that question, you can click that link and read an article I’ve written on the topic.)
19. Finish every homework assignment at least one to two days before itβs due
In this way, youβll have time to check through your work thoroughly.
And just in case something urgent pops up at the last minute, youβll still be able to complete the assignment on time.
20. Learn to say no
Thereβs an endless list of ways that you could spend your time.
This means that you must learn to say no to the things that arenβt aligned with your priorities.
Get in the habit of saying no more often. If you need ideas as to how you can say no both politely and firmly, check out this article.
21. Determine when youβre most productive, and work on your hardest assignments during that time
Do you work best in the afternoon? Or are you most productive at night?
Work on your hardest assignments and projects during your most productive hours of the day. This is a powerful way to make the most of your time.
22. In your calendar, block out time for homework and studying
As the saying goes, βIf it doesnβt get scheduled, it doesnβt get done.β
If youβre serious about effective time management, then block out time in your schedule for homework and studying.
23. Remove all distractions from your study table
If there are magazines, books, souvenirs, toys, etc. on or near your study table, which distract you while youβre studying, then remove them.
Put them at the other end of the room, or move them to another room.
(Go ahead, do it right now!)
24. Get eight hours of sleep every night
Research has proven that a lack of sleep affects your concentration, memory, mood, and overall health.
Do you want to learn how to study productively? Then make sure that you get at least eight hours of sleep every night.
(Students always tell me that itβs impossible to get eight hours of sleep a night. But if you apply all the tips in this article, Iβm sure youβll be able to!)
25. Prepare for class every day
Every day, think about the classes youβll be attending in school the following day.
Take a few minutes to skim through the notes from the previous class, as well as the notes for the upcoming class (assuming you already have them).
This way, youβll be well prepared for each class, which means that youβll gain more from what is taught.
26. Exercise at least three times a week
Exercise boosts your memory and brain function.
So make it a priority to exercise at least three times a week or more.
By ensuring that your brain is functioning optimally, youβll be able to concentrate better and manage your time better too.
27. Write down all your test dates and assignment due dates in your calendar
As mentioned in Point #6, donβt rely on your brain as a storage device.
Write down all important dates in your calendar, e.g. tests, exams, assignment and project due dates.
When you do this consistently, you wonβt be caught off-guard a day before an assignment is due.
28. Set reminders for when to start studying for tests
Itβs a good idea to set a reminder or make a note in your calendar as to when youβll start preparing for an upcoming test.
This makes it more likely that youβll start studying for the test early. As a result, you’ll experience less test-related stress.
29. Review new information youβve learned within 24 hours
This is crucial if you want to move the information to your long-term memory.
Furthermore, by reviewing the new information within 24 hours, youβll also be able to identify which concepts you donβt fully understand. You can then apply Tip #5.
30. For projects and big assignments, always be clear about what the next step is
One of the main reasons that students procrastinate is that they arenβt clear what exactly they should do next for a project or assignment.
I recommend that you keep a list of βnext actionsβ for each project or big assignment, so that you always know what you ought to do next.
31. Never skip classes
I knowβ¦ when the teacher is boring or the material is uninteresting to you, itβs so tempting to skip class.
But resist the temptation.
If you skip classes, youβll need to spend more time in the long run catching up. In addition, during class your teacher will highlight the key concepts. This will make it easier for you to understand the material.
32. If youβre feeling unmotivated, change your studying environment
Thereβs no harm in mixing it up once in a while to give you a boost in productivity.
On weekdays, you might decide to do all of your homework and studying at home. While on weekends, you might decide to go to a nearby library or cafΓ© for a change in environment.
33. If a task takes less than three minutes to complete, do it right away
Many tasks fall in this category: sending a file to your classmate via email, asking your parents to sign a consent form, clearing the clothes off of your room floor.
Once you get a chance to perform the task, do it immediately. This will ensure that these small tasks donβt pile up and become overwhelming.
34. Create a study plan for every test and exam
Donβt just tell yourself that youβll study hard for an upcoming test.
After all, studying hard isn’t the same as studying intelligently.
I recommend that you create a study plan where you list specifically what youβll do to prepare for the test. Create a rough timeline to go along with the plan as well.
35. Put a clock on your study table
Students often lose track of time while theyβre studying or doing their homework.
I recommend that you put a clock on your study table so that youβre always aware of the time.
Being aware of the time is vital if you want to become a student whoβs an expert at time management.
36. Eliminate any perfectionist tendencies
Students who are perfectionists are also the ones who are most likely to procrastinate on schoolwork.
If youβre a perfectionist, set a rule for yourself that you can only work on one task at a time, and that you must complete the task before moving on to another task.
This way, you wonβt jump from one task to another, while making little progress overall.
37. Clear your study table at least once every two days
Scientists have found that physical clutter makes it harder for you to concentrate.
My own experiences tell me that this is true too, which is why I do my best to keep my desk free of clutter.
I recommend that you clear your study table at least once every two days β once a day is even more ideal.
This will help you to be more focused and productive!
38. Write down your priorities and review them weekly
Take ten minutes to write down your priorities in life. (Donβt list more than four or five.)
Think about whether the way you spend your time is in line with these priorities.
Repeat this review process once a week to ensure that you stay on track.
39. Check your email and text messages just three to four times a day
For most students, checking and replying to text messages and emails takes an hour or two each day.
To become a more efficient student, make it a point to check your email and text messages just a few times each day.
40. Eat a healthy breakfast every single day
Eating a healthy breakfast has been linked to enhanced focus and mental performance.
This explains why successful students never skip breakfast!
41. Do deep breathing exercises for two to three minutes a day
Deep breathing improves focus and reduces stress.
Start with a couple of minutes of deep breathing a day, and increase gradually from there.
Read this article for the specifics on how to perform deep breathing exercises.
42. List your main distractions and time wasters, and eliminate them
Students often arenβt even aware what their main distractions and time wasters are.
So take a few minutes and think about what your biggest distractions are. Write them down on a sheet of paper, and come up with an action plan to eliminate β or at least reduce β them.
43. Set a fixed time to stop work each day
For example, you might decide that youβll stop work at 9 p.m. every day.
Once you start keeping to this, youβll notice that your time management has improved.
This is because having a fixed βstop timeβ every day keeps you focused on the tasks you need to complete. You wonβt find yourself thinking that thereβs still plenty of time to get the work done.
44. Hang out with motivated and productive people
As Jim Rohn once said, βYouβre the average of the five people you spend most of your time with.β
Make it a point to hang out with motivated, passionate and productive people. Youβll become more like them over time.
You’ll also begin to say more positive things to yourself that will help you to be successful too.
45. Listen to Baroque music while youβre studying
Studies have shown that listening to certain kinds of Baroque music has a beneficial effect on learning.
I listen to Baroque music every time I do work, and Iβve found that it helps me to concentrate.
You can start by listening to the Baroque music foundΒ here.
Conclusion
βTime managementβ sounds like a simple concept, but it isnβt.
There are so many distractions in this digital age we live in. As such, itβs becoming harder and harder for students to master the art of time management.
Of course, this doesnβt mean that itβs impossible to be a productive student. It just means that itβll require effort on your part.
Effort to get rid of old studying-related habits.
Effort to form new studying-related habits.
Effort to keep on trying, even when you feel like youβll never be a focused student.
This article is close to 3,000 words long. Youβve made it to the end, so I know youβre committed to putting in the necessary effort.
Apply the tips in this article one day at a time, and youβll be on your way to becoming a successful student.
More than that, you would have developed the skills and habits that will enable you to make a greater contribution to society over the long run.
I wish you all the best on this meaningful journey!
Like this article? Please share it with your friends.
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That is too awesome. I’ll surely follow this rules. Thank you so much π
Me, too!
Me too
You’re welcome, Shanzida π
This is such a useful article! I’ll surely follow it.
Great to hear, Aditi!
This is to good tricks to help to get top in my Collage university so It is very good thank you
You’re welcome!
Amazing tips and true things taught by you sir. All tips are perfect but i am afraid that can i implement these on my life or it is just for a sake of knowledge?
Thank for posting this article. I will adopt it in my research paper about time management of married college students in our university.
You’re very welcome.
THANK YOU
Keep updating such article. These tips are very useful for each and everyone facing time management problem.
Time management is something that helps you a alot utilize your time in right activities. And being stufdents it becomes even more important to have a proper time management and create a balance between academics and extracurricular activities. Nice article.
Thanks I’m interesting to do!!!
Thank for posting this article. I’ll rally follow most of useful tips that can i follow….thank u so much…..
This is such a great read. Managing time has been a great problem especially during my dissertation writing period. But with these tips. I am certain things will change
All of the tips were very useful for me.I do nearly half of them anyway but the rest of them I did’nt have a clue at all.So these days I’ve losy my concentration but surprisingly I’ve found your site which I think is perfect.Thanks for all the help.I’ll keep on following!!
Great article! Well written and exceptionally very well explained.
May it inspire more in the long run as it did to me. Thank you.
This is great, I must tell. Thanks for this, Wong.
Thank you so much for this article..It’s really helpfulπ€
Omg such a great article thnxx a lot I wanted such a inspirational thought and look I got the key. I will make sure to starting from right now.
thanks for the information
A great article.I find it best suited up for me . Thanks for it again.πππ
Why do all of these assume that I have social media and friends?
Some really good tips for students here.
Distractions are one of the biggest problems when it comes to managing time, particularly when you’re a college student and exposed to new things and enjoying real independence for the first time.
Time management is not just about allocating your time appropriately, but also developing the ability to focus attention for a sustained period.
Student life is also about balance and it’s fine to party and have fun, but you’ve got to include it in the schedule and ensure it does not dominate your days.
Great article, well written, Daniel!
IAS coaching has become a necessity for most IAS aspirants as competition is very high. Quality of teaching and material is very important for any civil service examinations. You are providing good information for such students who preparing for the competitive exam. Thanks for sharing the valuable information.
Wow!Just what I need for my clustered life and so many date lines to meet. Thanks. Will reorganize all I need to do by time budgeting.
Such a useful concept of time management.I thought everybody must follow this concept to success our life.
I really thank to you for this information .Nice working keep it up .
Love it ,Great article sir…sure I will follow itπ
Very Good Tips………….Sir
Will follow this great article thanks for sharing sir.
this is a big way of help
Tips you never know you needed. Whoever came up with these tips is absolute genius
This will really help me get my grades up. Thank you, Daniel!
This was absolutely terrible and not very helpful…. said nobody π
Thank you so much for posting this article, I will remember those amazing tips.
Great article
Thanks for sharing.
It’s a great post
Thanks Sir for sharing with us
There are so many great tips here to help prioritize what matters most
Love the Baroque music and makes me want to study =)
There is a lot of great tips to stay focused.
Thank you for sharing these tips! Made notes for myself
This was very helpful since I am a high school student. Thank you!