Time Management Techniques for Student Productivity | ProductiveandFree

Procrastination is one of the main enemies of students. Even the most responsible ones sometimes struggle to cope with assignments on time. Apart from this problem, there is the obvious issue of the heavy workload most students face. It may seem that no matter what you do, it is impossible to keep up with the high pace of studying life. But don't worry. You can do many things to get to the next level of productivity. In this article, you will find popular and lesser-known techniques that will help you become more effective in terms of studying.

Students often lack time when it comes to writing assignments. When the famous time management techniques can't help you, and there is a high probability of missing an assignment's deadline, you can turn to writing services like EssayShark to hire an experienced writer. Qualified experts will help you cope with any assignment faster. Nonetheless, using time-management techniques will help you avoid postponing tasks for later.

Prioritize Tasks

To boost your productivity, you need to realize which of your tasks are more significant than others. You can do so using the Eisenhower Matrix. Categorize tasks into four quadrants - urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Focus on tasks in the first two categories before you do anything else.

Create a To-Do List

Even though this approach might seem boring to you, it can be rather helpful when it comes to structuring your daily routine. Write down tasks you need to complete and organize them by priority. Update your list daily and cross off the ones you've already managed to do.

Time Blocking

Allocate specific time slots for various activities on your to-do list. Decide how much time you need for studying, work, leisure, and even breaks. Stick to these blocks as closely as possible. This technique will help you create an effective working pace that brings you closer to your goals. Additionally, you can use time-tracking apps to monitor how you spend your time. It will be easy for you to identify time-wasting habits and make necessary adjustments.

Eliminate Distractions

It might be difficult to complete an important but boring task when there are always more interesting things to do. Identify common distractions like social media, smartphones, TV series that you can't stop watching, new YouTube videos, etc. Try to create a distraction-free workspace during study hours. You can use apps that block all the possible distractions if you don't want to control yourself.

Eating the Frog

This technique suggests coping with your most challenging or least favorite task first thing in the morning. Once you've succeeded and "eaten the frog," you will spend the rest of your day without stress. Also, you will not have to think about that task throughout the day, blaming yourself for ignoring it.

Two-Minute Rule

Sometimes, you might have no energy to even start sorting the things on your to-do list because there are too many of them. Here's an easy technique you can use. If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This approach prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming.

The 2-Minute Time Box

Here's another method to help you start any task, even when you don't feel like it. Allocate just two minutes to start coping with it. Doing so overcomes the initial resistance to getting started. Once the timer goes off, you might find it easier to continue working on the task.

The Zeigarnik Effect

This psychological principle suggests that people remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed ones. You can use this effect to your advantage by breaking tasks into smaller parts and leaving them unfinished. It will help you maintain focus and get back to the task to complete it eventually.

The Rule of Thirds

Consider every day has three parts - morning, afternoon, and evening. Allocate specific types of tasks or activities to each part based on your energy levels and focus. For example, do your most challenging work in the morning when you're most alert. Alternatively, if you feel more energized in the evening, schedule the most important things you must do in the third part of the day.

Avoid Multitasking

Focus on one task at a time. Multitasking can decrease your efficiency and lead to mistakes. It can also lead to many unfinished tasks piling up on your desk. Even though the Zeigarnik effect can help you cope with them, the variety of different problems can decrease your productivity.

Batch Processing

Group similar tasks together. Allocate a specific amount of time to cope with them. For example, answer emails, make phone calls, or study a particular subject during designated batch processing periods. You can mix the tasks that require you to interact with people with the ones you can finish without anyone else's input. This approach will help you keep a healthy energy balance.

Personal Kanban

Create a visual board with three columns: To-Do, Doing, and Done. Use sticky notes or digital tools to move tasks through these columns. It provides a clear visual representation of your progress and helps you stay organized.

Review and Reflect

Regularly assess your productivity by reviewing how you spend your time. Do the techniques you are using work? If not, adjust your strategies to improve effectiveness. Be honest with yourself and keep looking for more suitable approaches if the ones you are using do not bring you the desired results.

Conclusion

You are welcome to try out each one of these techniques individually or mix them. You aim to create an algorithm that works for you in the best possible way. Also, remember to treat yourself to something pleasant after you've coped with every task on your to-do list at the end of the week. It is crucial to motivate yourself with positive emotions. After all, you've done such a hard job to find and explore the time-management techniques you can incorporate into your daily routine.

Eva Castleberry

Eva Castleberry is a freelance content writer. She is interested in a wide range of fields, from education and online marketing to personal entrepreneurship. She is used to handling many writing orders at the same time and understands the importance of writing clearly and concisely. She has been a contributor for Essayshark since 2018.