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Without effective knowledge of time management, you will be a victim of procrastination expect you discover the 12 Proven Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination.
'Ade had just finished the semester as the top student in my class again.
Yes again. I really do not know how he does it. It looks like he has some kind of superpower. I think I'm beginning to think he has something extra. Ade is one who I can confidently tag as an all-rounder. He is always everywhere.
Ask nobody but Ade about the latest gist in school, and he will be sure to give you everything without missing any dots. Ade does not take classes. No one is ever fast enough to rip him off his front seat.
Do you know he never misses church services? Did I say never miss? He even goes earlier than I do. I need to tell you that he is also one of the top players on our school basketball team.
He is just too good.
How does he ever do this?
I struggle with all of my tasks. My to-do list has never scored 50% for tasks done. I still do my assignments at last minutes, sometimes I even forget I have assignments to submit. I haven't ever gotten close enough to class that the back seats have become specially designed for me.
At this point, I think I need help' Subomi laments bitterly.
Are you like Subomi?
You feel extra hours need to be added to your twenty-four hours. You feel intimidated when others are doing so well with their time, whereas you keep struggling. Weeks after weeks, months after months, to the point that examinations and tests scare the night light out of you.
Worry no longer. The light has come for you.
Many times, the subject of time management is discussed at school seminars, webinars, and even amongst friends. It looked as though some people had gotten over it. They are one hundred percent confident about how they manage their time.
On the other hand, those still struggle to put things in order in their management bags.
How does time increase productivity?
If there is one thing, of the many that nature has given us, that makes both male and female equal, both rich and poor equal, both old and young equal, that thing is time. An equal measure of twenty-four hours (24 hours).
To manage, according to the English Dictionary, is to direct or be in charge of, to handle or control (a situation, job). The need to manage is because there could be an act of mismanagement or a tendency to mismanage.
The same way people can waste or mismanage resources like food, money, water, etc. So can time be wasted? All of those other resources are tangible, so when mismanagement is caused, we can see their damages.
What is pretty germane about time is that you won't see its damage.
You know you can't hold it, right? But at the end of the day, when every other person is accounting for what they've done with their day, you'd be in a corner, wishing to have a chance to right your wrongs.
Did you really waste your time?
You didn't. Trust me.
You only mismanaged it. You know why?
That's because your assignment, which is due tomorrow, was substituted for a series you've been longing to watch. Same time. Misplaced priority.
You converted it to sleeping time when you were supposed to be studying for your group project. So you didn't actually waste the time; you mismanaged it.
The high flyers in our classes have a way with how they spend their time.
How do you know? Check out why is time management important for students to find out.
How to improve time management for high school students?
- Peace of mind: They come to the class looking sharp and active for the day's work. Because they have their fingers wrapped around their time. Look, not the time wrapped around their fingers. They are the lords of their time.
- Orderliness: They have their assignments done before the date of submission. They are never caught unprepared.
- They know when to say no. Yes, it might be the biggest event in school, but they have a way of doing the most important things first.
It is, however, possible, plausible, and at the same time realistic to be a top student and still be socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially graceful at the top.
This brings us to the first tool on the list of ten time management tools for students to boost productivity.
Have you ever come across the 11 Must-Have Educational Apps for Adults and Students require to stay ahead of others and beat competition? If not, check it out now.
Ten Time Management Tools for Students to Boost Productivity
ABCDE method
Rank your tasks according to their level of importance.
Economics taught us the scale of preference, right?
Instead, we are dealing with the scale of importance. All our tasks are important, but the degree at which one task is as to do with when that task is due or be evaluated.
- A stands for must-do—major consequences, if not done.
- B stands for should-do: minor consequences, if not done.
- C stands for nice to do; there are no consequences if not done.
- D stands for delegate. Let others do
- E stands for eliminate; don't do.
Eat That Frog
This is a technique that still stands the test of time.
It was proposed by Brian Tracy.
The frog is that task that looks insurmountable.
That task that you feel 'it's just not for me' or 'I don't think I can do it' or 'it's hard', so you just push and push it off till it's near the deadline.
'Eat That Frog' preaches doing those hard things first.
Take it out, so you can be fully motivated to undertake another less frog-like task.
Sometimes, when you get into the job, the frog might not even be bad after all, and so it's worth your teeth.
READ ALSO: 12 Best Morning Meditation Strategies For Brain Building
Pomodoro Technique
This simply works by studying for 25 minutes and taking a 5-minute break afterward.
It works on a ratio of 25:5.
Pomodoro is one technique for you if you get bored easily while doing your tasks.
It's important to note that the 5-minute break at intervals should be channeled to academic tasks like replying to a message, calling a friend, etc.
Flow Time
Unlike Pomodoro, flow time works with a longer duration of work time and break times.
Flow time helps you to work effectively for a longer time before observing breaks.
The difference between the two has to do with the period during which each break is observed.
Forest
Like a farmer who waters his crop and experiences a great harvest, so is a student.
With Forest, your productivity can be monitored, which would help you block distractions while you study.
When you can shut out phone distractions, a plant grows for a while, and the moment you start using your phone, you notice that the plant dies off.
Rescue Time
Rescue Time helps you stay on track with how you spend your time on your screen.
It keeps you updated on the applications that distract you.
Having RescueTime as a traffic warden helps you minimize your screen time on certain apps.
Timeboxing
'Read and finish my history note in one hour'.
Timeboxing helps to create a sense of urgency in you while you study.
Even when you're unable to complete the task according to its allocated time, you're able to work faster and more diligently and complete the task in another allocated duration.
Google Calendar
Google Calendar can help you schedule school work accordingly.
Assignments can be grouped according to deadlines.
Subsequent reminders would enable you to be aware of what you should be doing at a particular time and day.
Multitasking
Multitasking can be likened to a coin.
Doing an assignment and, at the same time, reading for a test can be so strenuous and ineffective.
Tasks that are unrelated can be multitasked.
Writing notes and cooking in the kitchen can be a good pair. Doing related tasks at the same time may, however, lead to the unproductivity of either task.
Note taking
Yes, I mean effective note taking. Old but still raising the bar.
There are always so many things going on in our heads at the same time.
The remedy is to write them down. Do not think in your head; think on paper.
Writing your tasks out makes you less overwhelmed. You would feel like you have everything under control because you definitely do.
Time Management Tools for Students FAQs
How can I manage my time as a student?
You can manage your time by doing the most important things first. Getting your priorities right and following through with them till the very end.
What are the five time management tools for students?
Tools like RescueTime, Eat That Frog, Forest, Pomodoro Technique, and Flowtime have proven to yield good results and high productivity.
How can I manage my time well?
Different time management tools are available to solve problems of time management.
Final Thoughts on Time Management Tools for Students
The way you spend your time is tantamount to the outlook of your life.
These tools, if used efficiently, would yield great results.
Remember, Ade, being an all-rounder is the goal of every student and won't be a bad idea.
Your time is your life.
Spend it wisely.
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