Violet Stec is a third year English and Professional Writing major at York University. She has a passion for creative writing and is an avid reader. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature and watching her favorite movies.
Getting into the flow of school life means balancing many different priorities, including assignments, tests and exams, extracurriculars and much more. As a student, I sometimes get overwhelmed and have a hard time with motivation and focus. But as I’ve learned how to manage my time carefully, I can see the benefits and feel that my time management skills have improved.
By trying some of the strategies below, you can learn more about managing your time as a busy student and better maintain all areas of your life, too!
Pro tip: Did you know that York offers workshops about time management? Check out the Learning Skills Services website to learn more!
Our top time management strategies
When trying to make time for different tasks, such as extracurriculars, work shifts or studying, it can be helpful to have some tools to help you recognize how much time you have and plan how to use it.
Goal setting
First, create clear, achievable goals you want to work towards over the next few weeks or months. Then, set intermittent deadlines to help you avoid procrastination and motivate you to stay on track with your plans. York’s sample to-do list can help you break down your goals into manageable steps and check them off as you complete them.
Calendars
Use a calendar to set deadlines, schedule study sessions and plan personal time. One of my favorite apps to use is My Daily Planner, which can be used to keep track of your schedule in a mobile app. Remember to also schedule personal time and breaks to avoid burnout!
To-do lists
To-do lists are simple but important tools for staying organized. You can start by listing your commitments, including work, classes, study time and personal life. Once you have everything listed out, think about which items are most urgent or time-sensitive and set a specific time for them.
Learn more about the Eisenhower Matrix, which is a method for ordering and prioritizing tasks by urgency and importance.
It's important to learn to manage the responsibilities in your life, but make sure to set aside time for you! It's okay to say “no” to more tasks if you're feeling overwhelmed.
Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique?
There are many techniques when studying that can help you make the most of your time, but one of my favorites is called the Pomodoro Technique. This time management method helps maintain your focus when you’re starting a task.
In this method, you work for 25 minutes, then take a five-minute break. The breaks help prevent burnout and make the time rewarding. After four pomodoros, you take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.
Pro tip: There are several apps that use the Pomodoro Technique that you can try, such as Flat Tomato and Flora.
Ready to manage your time like a pro? Let's plan out our balanced schedules and have a productive school year!
Feeling a bit nervous about upcoming midterms or exams? Our post about navigating exam anxiety includes tips and supports you can access on and off campus.