v. Time Management Strategies

Photo by University of New Orleans

Now that you’ve got some tools to fight procrastination, let’s talk about how to make the most of your time overall. These strategies are simple, flexible, and ready to use—starting today.

• Prepare to be successful. Before you sit down to study, get in the right mindset. Think positively: “If I knock out these chapters tonight, I’ll be ahead for the next test—and I’ll have time tomorrow to relax or catch up on other stuff.” Visualize yourself studying well and feeling good about it.
• Use your best—and most appropriate—time of day. Different tasks require different mental skills. Some tasks are easier to tackle first thing in the morning, while others need your most alert brainpower later in the day. Pay attention to when you feel sharpest—and match your tasks to your energy.
• Break up big tasks into smaller ones. Whether it’s writing a paper, studying for a final exam, or reading a long assignment, sometimes tasks can seem overwhelming and often feel daunting at the beginning of a large project. Instead of trying to scale a whole mountain, start out climbing smaller hills. Break up the task and schedule each piece separately, then just start with the first one.
• Do the most important thing first. When you’ve got multiple tasks that require your attention, start with the most crucial things first. That way, if something unexpected comes up, you’ve already handled the priority.
• If you have trouble getting started, do something easy first. Feeling stuck at the starting line? Try opting for a quick win. Doing something small and manageable can build momentum and help you feel ready to tackle the harder stuff.
• Ask for help if you need it. If you need help getting on track, reach out to your instructor, your Peer Mentor, or other campus resources for help.
• Take breaks. We all need breaks to help us concentrate without becoming exhausted and burnt out. A short break every hour or so can help you recharge. Get up, move around, stretch, or grab a snack—whatever helps you reset.
• Use your downtime wisely. Waiting for the bus? Got ten minutes before your next class? Use those pockets of time to preview a chapter, review flashcards, or jot down ideas. It adds up and you’ll save time later.
• Keep your momentum. Avoid multitasking—it’s a sneaky time thief. Save texts, notifications, and distractions for your scheduled breaks.
• Treat yourself! It’s not easy to sit still for hours of studying. When you finish a task, celebrate with something small: a snack, a short game, a walk, or a chat with a friend. You earned it.
• Communicate and embrace saying, ‘Sorry, not today.’ Let the important people in your life know when you’re studying to reduce the chances of being interrupted. If someone interrupts, it’s okay to say, “I really need to focus right now—can we talk later?” You’re not being rude; you’re being responsible.
• Have a life. Don’t fill your schedule so full that there’s no room for you. Make time for friends, family, hobbies, and rest. Balance matters.
• Use a calendar planner and a daily to-do list. These tools can help you stay organized and focused. Whether it’s digital or paper, find a system that works for you—and stick with it!

Time Management Tips for Students Who Work

If you’re balancing a job and college classes, you already know: free time can be rare. It’s tempting to stay up late studying, but sacrificing sleep can quickly lead to a downward spiral—affecting your performance at work and school. Instead, try these strategies to make the most of your time without burning out:

• Protect your peak hours. If your job offers flexible scheduling, try to reserve your most productive times of day for studying. Everyone has a “best brain time”—use yours wisely.
• Try to minimize commuting time. If you’re a part-time student, consider stacking your classes back-to-back or limiting them to just a couple of days a week to cut down on commuting time to and from campus. Likewise, working two eight-hour shifts instead of four four-hour ones can save time on commuting, prepping, and decompressing.
• Consider online courses. If your schedule is packed and unpredictable, online classes can offer some flexibility.
• Use your planner like a pro. Any time you spot a 30-minute window, schedule a study task.
• Know your body clock. Plan easier tasks for times when you’re usually tired, and save your most alert hours for demanding work like writing or problem-solving.
• Find hidden time. Could you swap a 30-minute drive for a 45-minute bus ride? If you can read or review notes on the bus, that’s 90 minutes of built in study time!
• Make use of slow moments at work. If your job has downtime, keep your class notes handy. Even five minutes of review can help as a quick refresher.
• Keep your goals in sight. You might need to work, but you also need to stay on top of your studies. When overtime opportunities pop up, ask yourself: is this time I need to be using to study? Your long-term goal—graduating—is worth protecting.
• Stay organized at work, too. Use your planner and to-do list for job tasks as well as schoolwork. The more organized you are in all areas of life, the less stress you’ll carry into your studies. Plus, using these tools consistently helps turn them into a habit—so planning and prioritizing start to feel automatic instead of like extra work.

Time Management Tips for Balancing School and Family Life

Living with family—whether that’s parents, siblings, a partner, or kids—can bring extra time pressures. You might have responsibilities at home that compete with your academic goals, and it’s easy to assume you’ll be “free” every hour you’re not in class or at work. But family needs and events can pop up unexpectedly, so it’s important to plan ahead and protect your study time.

Use all the strategies you’ve learned so far, and make sure to include family time in your daily plans, just like you would schedule work hours or class time. If your home environment isn’t ideal for focused studying, consider using the library or another quiet space to avoid interruptions.

If you’re parenting, caregiving, or sharing a household with a partner, the time crunch can feel even more intense. After all, you can’t exactly say, “See you in a couple years!” In addition to all the planning and study strategies discussed so far, you’ll also need to manage your relationships and responsibilities at home. While there’s no magical way to create more hours in the day, there are ways to balance your life and stay connected:

• Talk it out. Whether you’re starting college for the first time or returning after a break, your schedule and priorities are likely to shift—and your family might not be expecting that. Keep the lines of communication open so your family feels included in this new chapter. When everyone understands what’s changing and why, it’s easier to build the support system you’ll need along the way.
• Make the most of your time together. You might not have long stretches of free time, but even small moments matter. If you’ve been studying for two hours and need a break, spend ten minutes with your family instead of scrolling or watching TV. Whether it’s folding laundry together or chatting while cooking, quality time doesn’t have to be fancy—it just has to be intentional.