Time Management Archives

40 Ways to Be Successful in School: Practical Tips for Students

Updated on December 5, 2018 By Daniel Wong 34 Comments

Do you think of yourself as a smart student?

Probably not.

If you’re like most students, you probably feel as if you take a while to grasp new concepts.

Or that you don’t perform up to expectations because of exam stress.

I know… It seems as if successful students are born smart. No matter what else is going on in their personal lives or extracurricular activities, they always get good grades.

I was a straight-A student throughout my academic career, but I’ll be the first to declare that grades aren’t everything. Grades are only one part of your education.

I’ve come to realise that successful students aren’t more intelligent than other students.

They’re just more disciplined and focused, and they’ve developed winning habits.

So even if you don’t feel as if you’re a smart student, don’t worry.

In this article, I’m going to share with you how to be successful in school, even if you don’t think of yourself as a good student. (Download the free bonus below to learn 10 bonus tips too!)

BONUS: This article is 3,500 words long, so I’ve created a PDF summary for your convenience. Download it here for free. The PDF contains all the tips found here, plus 10 exclusive bonus tips that you’ll only find in the PDF.

1. Rely on systems, not motivation

Students who do well in school don’t wait until they’re in the mood to study before they get down to work.

Neither do they wait until they feel motivated before they start preparing for an exam.

Instead, successful students rely on systems to ensure that they get the work done, even when they don’t feel like it.

(Keep on reading to find out what some of these systems are.)

2. Review any new information you’ve learned on the same day

This daily review won’t take long to complete, but it’s a vital step that ensures you stay on top of the material.

Applying this tip will also help you to move the information to your long-term memory more quickly. [Read more…]

45 Time Management Tips for Students (Advice From a Lifelong Straight-A Student)

Updated on February 21, 2018 By Daniel Wong 14 Comments

Everyone gets the same 24 hours each day.

Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa, Isaac Newton, Eleanor Roosevelt, Leonardo da Vinci – 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 A’s while sleeping eight hours a night, and graduated from Duke University with a GPA of 3.98/4.0.

(I don’t say this to boast, because education definitely isn’t only about getting straight A’s!)

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, you’ll become more focused and less stressed.

You’ll have more time to do meaningful things outside of school too!

So let’s take a look at the 45 tips.

BONUS: Download a free PDF summary of this article. The PDF contains all the tips found here, plus 5 exclusive bonus tips that you’ll only find in the PDF.

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 can’t focus for that long, try out the Pomodoro Technique for a start.

2. If you’re feeling unmotivated, set a timer for two minutes

If you don’t 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 you’ve started work, you’ll continue even after the two minutes are up.

3. Make good use of your travel time

It’s 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 haven’t 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! [Read more…]

How to Get Organised for School: 30 Simple Tips for Students

Updated on November 9, 2018 By Daniel Wong 9 Comments

Life as a student is busy. There’s so much going on.

If you’re not organised and you feel like you’re not on top of things, stress can build up.

You might end up working late and sleeping less to try to catch up, but this isn’t a good habit.

Getting organised for school is all about developing good habits and systems.

Through my experiences, I’ve come up with these 30 simple tips that will help students to become organised, productive, and effective.

BONUS: Download a free PDF summary of this article. The PDF contains all the tips found here, plus 3 exclusive bonus tips that you’ll only find in the PDF.

1. Develop a routine

Consistency is the key to student success. So write down your general weekly schedule and create a routine.

Include things like when you’ll do your homework, when you’ll review the things you’ve learned, when you’ll exercise, and so on.

It’s not possible to stick to a routine 100% of the time, but at least set up the framework to keep you focused and on track.

2. Set rules for yourself

Set some very specific rules for yourself. These could be things like “complete all projects and assignments at least two days before they are due” or “start studying for tests at least one week in advance”.

Review your rules once a month and adjust them if necessary.

3. Write everything down

No one has a perfect memory, and trying to remember everything is stressful. So make a habit of writing down all your events, meetings, ideas, and things you need to do.

Use a notebook or planner, or try an app like Google Keep or Any.do that you can use on your phone and computer.

When you write everything down, you’ll be less anxious because you won’t be relying on your brain as a storage device. [Read more…]

How I Became a Top Student While Sleeping 8 Hours a Night

Updated on December 5, 2018 By Daniel Wong 50 Comments

Students today are busy. Really busy.

They have homework to do, projects to complete, extra classes to attend, and other responsibilities to fulfill.

It’s no wonder that most students are sleep-deprived, and find it hard to lead a balanced life.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

In this article, I’ll share with you the 10 principles I used to become a top student who slept eight hours a night.

(I’ve since completed my formal education.)

In case you’re curious, here are some of my academic achievements:

I got 9 A1s for the GCE O-Levels.
I got 4 As and 2 “Special” Paper distinctions for the GCE A-Levels.
I received a full academic scholarship to study at Duke University in the USA.
I did a double major at Duke and graduated summa cum laude (First Class Honors). My GPA was 3.98/4.0.
I was inducted into three academic honor societies at Duke.

Just to be clear, I don’t think these achievements make me some super-impressive person.

Neither do I think that the main aim of education is to become a top student.

But through the process of becoming a better student, you’ll learn to be more organized, focused, disciplined and meticulous.

These are skills and traits that will prove beneficial throughout your life.

Students who continually feel overwhelmed are those who spend most of their time on urgent tasks. These are usually the same students who are sleep-deprived!

To be an effective student, you must focus on important tasks before they become urgent.

The 10 principles outlined in this article will help you to do just that.

By applying the 10 principles, I guarantee you’ll get better grades, be less stressed, and have more time for things outside of school – including sleep!

Sounds good, right?

Let’s get started.

FREE BONUS: I’ve created an easy-to-use PDF summary of this article, which also contains 3 bonus principles.

Enter your email in the box below to get the PDF.

Get your FREE summary (+3 bonus principles)

Principle #1: Stick to a routine.

You should definitely make room in your life for spontaneity. But without some kind of structure or routine, you won’t be able to achieve maximal productivity.

Creating a weekly routine is one of the most important steps to becoming a top student who has a balanced life.

Follow these steps to create a weekly routine that works for you:

(a) Take out your calendar. (I use Google Calendar, but a hard copy calendar works, too.)

(b) Create events in your calendar for all of your fixed, recurring commitments, e.g., school, music classes, extracurriculars, family events, religious activities.

(d) Set aside time each day for leisure, relaxation, going out with friends, and so on.

At this point, your calendar will be filled with “fixed” appointments that will guide you as to how to spend your time.

Of course, these appointments may change once in a while. But by following what your calendar says you ought to be doing, you’ll have established a solid routine. [Read more…]

How to Stop Procrastinating on Homework: 30 Powerful Tips That Work

Updated on December 5, 2018 By Daniel Wong 17 Comments

You know what it feels like when everything hits you at once, right?

You have three tests to study for. You have a math assignment due tomorrow. And then you’ve got a history report due the day after.

You tell yourself to get down to work.

But with so much to do, you feel overwhelmed.

And so you procrastinate.

You check Facebook, watch a few YouTube videos, and grab yourself a drink.

But you know that none of this is bringing you closer to getting the work done.

Sound familiar?

Don’t worry – you’re not alone. Procrastination is a problem that everyone faces, but there are ways around it.

By following the tips in this article, you’ll be able to overcome it.

So read on to discover 30 powerful tips to help you stop procrastinating on your homework.

FREE BONUS: Handy PDF summary of this article, which includes 3 bonus tips.

Enter your email in the box below to download the PDF file.

Get your FREE summary and 3 bonus tips

1. Take a quiz to see how much you procrastinate.

The first step to changing your behavior is to become more self-aware.

How often do you procrastinate? What kinds of tasks do you tend to put off? Is procrastination a small or big problem for you?

To answer these questions, I suggest that you take this online quiz designed by Psychology Today.

2. Figure out why you’re procrastinating.

Procrastination is a complex issue that involves multiple factors.

Are you procrastinating because:

You’re not sure you’ll be able to solve all the homework problems?
You’re subconsciously rebelling against your teachers or parents?
You’re not interested in the subject or topic?
You’re physically or mentally tired?
You’re waiting for the perfect time to start?
You don’t know where to start?

Once you’ve identified exactly why you’re procrastinating, you can pick out the tips in this article that will get to the root of the problem.

3. Write down what you’re procrastinating on.

Students tend to procrastinate when they’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

But you might be surprised to discover that simply by writing down the specific tasks you’re putting off, the situation will feel more manageable.

It’s a quick solution, and it makes a real difference.

Give it a try and you’ll be less likely to procrastinate. [Read more…]

15 Ways to Overcome Smartphone Addiction

Updated on December 5, 2018 By Daniel Wong 9 Comments

Nomophobia is short for “no-mobile-phone phobia.”

It’s the fear of being away from your smartphone or not having network coverage.

And it’s on the rise.

87% of young adults say their smartphone never leaves their side, while 80% of smartphone users check their phone within 15 minutes of waking up.

Smartphone addiction is becoming a big problem. Here are some signs of addiction:

You frequently use your phone at mealtimes.
You spend more time on your phone than interacting with others in person.
You frequently use your phone when you know you should be doing something else more productive.
You frequently use your phone while performing tasks that require focus, such as completing an assignment, writing a report, or driving.
You feel uncomfortable when your phone isn’t with you.
You sometimes check your phone in the middle of the night.

Are you an addict, or do you know someone who is?

No matter how mild or severe the addiction is, here are 15 ways to help you overcome it.

If you implement the tips, I guarantee you’ll break this habit.

Here are the 15 tips:

1. Turn off notifications.

Many people get distracted by the endless notifications they receive from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and other apps.

You don’t need to know right away if someone “likes” your status update, follows you on Instagram, or sends you an email.

The more often you check your phone, the more it becomes an ingrained habit. So turn off notifications and you’ll feel less compelled to use your phone.

The only apps for which you don’t turn off notifications might be your text messaging app and your calendar app. This is because sometimes you’re urgently waiting for a text, or your calendar app notifications keep you on schedule. [Read more…]

How I Became a Straight-A Student By Following These 7 Rules

Updated on December 5, 2018 By Daniel Wong 106 Comments

In this article, I’ll explain the seven rules I followed to become a straight-A student.

(I’ve since completed my formal education.)

If you take my advice, I’m confident that you’ll get better grades. You’ll lead a more balanced life, too.

But first, here’s some background information about me, to assure you that I have some credibility in writing this article. (I don’t say these things to boast, really!)

I got 9 A1’s for the GCE O-Levels.
I got 4 A’s for the GCE A-Levels, along with 2 “Special” paper Distinctions and 1 Merit.
I received a full academic scholarship to study at Duke University, which consistently ranks as one of the best universities in the world. I graduated from Duke in 2011.
I did a double major at Duke, and graduated summa cum laude (First Class Honors). My GPA was 3.98/4.0.
Throughout my academic career, I never received a grade lower than an A- at a major exam.

Now, just to be clear…

Do I think I’m a super impressive person because of these achievements? No.

Do I think students should be obsessed about grades? No.

Do I think good grades are the key to long-term success? No.

But do I think that grades matter, at least a little? Yes.

A strong academic record can open doors for you down the road. More importantly, through the process of becoming a straight-A student, you’ll learn values like hard work, discipline, and determination.

These values will serve you well, long after you take your last exam.

So go ahead and pursue academic excellence. Just don’t let it become an unhealthy obsession.

Now that we’re clear on that, we’re ready to explore the seven rules.

BONUS: Download a free weekly schedule template, which will show you exactly how to use the 7 rules in your daily schedule.

Rule #1: Always have a plan.

(a) As the semester progresses, keep track of key dates: tests and exams, project submission deadlines, term breaks, etc.

Enter these dates into a physical or digital calendar.

If you choose to use a physical calendar, I recommend that you get a management diary. This will allow you to see the week’s events at a glance. The inside of the diary should look like this:

If you choose to use a digital calendar, I recommend Google Calendar.

(b) Schedule a fixed time every week where you review your upcoming events over the next two months. Mark down when you’ll start preparing for that Math exam, working on that History project, or writing that English paper.

(d) Next, note your commitments for the coming week, e.g. extracurricular activities, family gatherings, extra classes. On your calendar, highlight the blocks of time you’ll have for schoolwork.

This planning process might sound time-consuming, but it’ll typically take just 15 minutes every week. This is a wise investment of time, because the rest of your week will become far more productive. [Read more…]