Trying to balance your time can be a real pain in the you-know-what! Especially for students like you, who have a million and one things to get done and hardly any time to do them.
But there is always light at the end of the tunnel. By identifying and using some simple time management tools that will improve your ability to manage your time effectively, you can quickly start freeing up more free time than you realized was possible.
Tip number one - start using to-do lists. It's far easier to remember what you need to get done by writing it down and then prioritizing the list you create. It's no good just trying to remember everything in your head - you need to start making to-do lists! Make sure when you create the list you create it with very specific actionable steps that you are going to take. For example, don't write "Start Maths homework", but instead write "Do first 3 questions of Maths homework". See the difference? If you have vague items it will only lead to uncertainty about what the task means and further procrastination problems.
Tip number two - create some goals. It's very easy to overlook creating goals and instead just get started on things. But working towards something specific helps create a direction for you. For example, if you make a goal that you will have your "Science homework completed no later than 8 pm tonight" then you have something specific you are working towards. If you have no goal in mind then you might end up drifting along until 9 pm without even completing the Science homework at all. So start listing all the things you want to achieve and when you want to achieve them by. This will help you easily see which activities are a total waste of your time and which are going to help you reach your ambitions.
Tip number three - lower your expectations. We all want to shoot for the stars - but don't put unreasonable pressure on yourself for no good reason. If you're taking too much on and it's taking too long because your expectations are way too high (for example, if you believe that nothing less than an A+ average for all your subjects is the only acceptable standard) then as soon as you slip under that extremely high standard a major meltdown will occur. So be committed to your ambition but not attached to every single outcome. If you are, you will spend way too much time focusing on things that don't always matter.
Tip number four - eliminate all distractions! If you wanted to, you could be in a constant state of distraction. The world is full of things and people trying to interrupt you. The real challenge is blocking all that out and focusing on what matters. Distractions can truly account for hours of your time each and every day. That's hundreds if not thousands of hours every year. Instead, you need to focus purely on what you want and then make a beeline for it. Turn off all distractions and get to work. Once it's done you can switch all your distractions back on and prepare to waste some serious time! Woo!
Tip number five - focus on one thing at a time. When you focus on multiple things at once there is a strong tendency to start all tasks but get nothing completed. Not only that, but your work also tends to be of a lesser quality because you are not focusing. That is a poor use of time. Just complete the tasks one after the other in a sequence and you'll find that things get completed quicker and with more awesomeness.
But there is always light at the end of the tunnel. By identifying and using some simple time management tools that will improve your ability to manage your time effectively, you can quickly start freeing up more free time than you realized was possible.
Tip number one - start using to-do lists. It's far easier to remember what you need to get done by writing it down and then prioritizing the list you create. It's no good just trying to remember everything in your head - you need to start making to-do lists! Make sure when you create the list you create it with very specific actionable steps that you are going to take. For example, don't write "Start Maths homework", but instead write "Do first 3 questions of Maths homework". See the difference? If you have vague items it will only lead to uncertainty about what the task means and further procrastination problems.
Tip number two - create some goals. It's very easy to overlook creating goals and instead just get started on things. But working towards something specific helps create a direction for you. For example, if you make a goal that you will have your "Science homework completed no later than 8 pm tonight" then you have something specific you are working towards. If you have no goal in mind then you might end up drifting along until 9 pm without even completing the Science homework at all. So start listing all the things you want to achieve and when you want to achieve them by. This will help you easily see which activities are a total waste of your time and which are going to help you reach your ambitions.
Tip number three - lower your expectations. We all want to shoot for the stars - but don't put unreasonable pressure on yourself for no good reason. If you're taking too much on and it's taking too long because your expectations are way too high (for example, if you believe that nothing less than an A+ average for all your subjects is the only acceptable standard) then as soon as you slip under that extremely high standard a major meltdown will occur. So be committed to your ambition but not attached to every single outcome. If you are, you will spend way too much time focusing on things that don't always matter.
Tip number four - eliminate all distractions! If you wanted to, you could be in a constant state of distraction. The world is full of things and people trying to interrupt you. The real challenge is blocking all that out and focusing on what matters. Distractions can truly account for hours of your time each and every day. That's hundreds if not thousands of hours every year. Instead, you need to focus purely on what you want and then make a beeline for it. Turn off all distractions and get to work. Once it's done you can switch all your distractions back on and prepare to waste some serious time! Woo!
Tip number five - focus on one thing at a time. When you focus on multiple things at once there is a strong tendency to start all tasks but get nothing completed. Not only that, but your work also tends to be of a lesser quality because you are not focusing. That is a poor use of time. Just complete the tasks one after the other in a sequence and you'll find that things get completed quicker and with more awesomeness.
About the Author:
HelpMeToStudy.org is the best online resource for learning new study skills, changing your study habits and finding the best studying tips available. We provide free access to the world's best and most engaging study resources and strategies that will help change the way you think about study - and even better - we show you how to study effectively: How To Study Effectively | Time Management Tools
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire