Time Management
Learning how to successfully manage your time is essential to being productive on a daily basis. Time management is a learned skill and it takes time and practice to really master it. Here are some tips that may help.
- Make a "To do" list - Write down everything that you have to do, sometimes just having it out of your head and down on paper can minimize your stress. Then prioritize, decide what you have to do now, what can wait until later, and what you can hand off to another person.
- Buy a Planner and use it - Write down you appointments, classes, meetings and assignments. Then you can check to see what is ahead for the day/week/month so that you can be prepared. This will also prevent you from over booking your time.
- Develop blocks of study time - Determine how long you can personally focus (30 minutes, 50 minutes?) and make sure you plan in the breaks that you need. Planned breaks can allow you to be more productive with your time. Remember that more difficult material may also require more frequent breaks.
- Do the hardest stuff first - If you start with the task that will be the hardest you will not be trying to tackle it when you are already tired from doing all your other work. When you are done you will feel better and be able to do the rest of your assignments with ease.
- Learn where you can study the best - find the place that has the fewest distractions for you so that you can maximize your concentration.
- Use spare minutes wisely - hit mute and study during the commercial breaks of your favorite TV show or bring a book to lunch when you know you will be eating alone.
- Remember that it is okay to say "No" - If your boss asks you to pick up some extra hours and you have a large paper to write, realize that it is ok to say no.
- Sleep - If you are not getting enough sleep all the tasks that you need to do will seem more difficult. Make time to sleep and you will be able to be more productive in your waking hours.
- Keep things in perspective - Setting goals that are not realistic will only make you feel bad and limit your productivity in the long run. Remember that you cannot do everything and that if something slips it is not the end of the world.
Use these tips if they help you, but you need to set priorities that fit your lifestyle so that you can achieve your goals.
Time Management
Information and resources for students seeking to manage their time more effectively, increase productivity, reduce procrastination, and find a healthy balance between academic demands, social life, and self-care.
VIDEOS
Overcoming Procrastination through Self-Worth Theory
Quick Overview of the Principles of Effective Time Management
How to Break Down Work into Smaller Parts
APPS
Toggl
- Track exactly how much time you spend on each important task or assignment. Simply turn on the timer when you begin a task and turn it off when you finish or take a break. Get graphics and detailed reports showing exactly how much time you’ve dedicated to each task and how that time was broken down. Tip: Record only the tasks you are likely to procrastinate on. Do not record leisure activities.
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.toggl.giskard
- iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toggl-time-tracker-for-work/id1291898086?mt=8
Offtime
- Our phones can be both a great productivity tool and the worst distraction. Use Offtime to block the use of all or some of your apps for a preset time. Block calls and messages, too, and stay focused on the task in front of you.
- Android and iOS: http://offtime.app/index.php
Brain.fm
- This app uses research on focus and concentration to select music that will help you stay on task and be productive. Also has stations to help with sleep or meditation.
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brainfm.app
- iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brain-fm-music-for-the-brain/id1110684238?mt=8
FocusMate
- Get automatically paired up with an accountability buddy who will be in touch with you to make sure you complete your work.
- Sign up on FocusMate.com first: https://www.focusmate.com/
Todoist
- A powerful to-do list app that helps you keep track of your tasks, organize them by category, color-code them, prioritize them, and much more.
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.todoist
- iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/todoist-organize-your-life/id572688855?mt=8
SUPPORT
Wellness Coaching
https://www.skidmore.edu/health_promotion/wellness-coaching.php
Wellness Coaching is a service aimed at helping Skidmore students achieve specific health-and-wellness related goals. Get help improving your time management skills, staying better organized, and reducing procrastination. Staffed by trained professionals, Wellness Coaching can also help you with other areas of health such as self-care, sleep, school-life balance, and generally making better lifestyle choices regarding nutrition, exercise, and more. Visit their website (listed above) to get started.
The Office of Student Academic Services (SAS)
https://www.skidmore.edu/international-students/
The Office of Student Academic Services provides a wide variety of services to promote academic achievement and help students take full advantage of the academic opportunities available at Skidmore. SAS regularly helps students learn new and effective time-management strategies.
The Counseling Center
https://www.skidmore.edu/counseling/
The Counseling Center at Skidmore College is a helpful resource for addressing pervasive mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression, as well as a place to work on the more common day-to-day challenges of being a college student. Schedule a one-at-a-time appointment with us to discuss concerns related to time management or procrastination and explore helpful strategies for addressing these issues, as well as understanding how they fit in the context of broader mental health.