Time Management as a Student: Tips and Apps

Struggling to juggle classes, assignments, and a social life? You are not alone. It’s a common struggle among students, but you can find a balance using good time management strategies. To help you start your journey to managing your time efficiently, here is a list of six practical tips and apps to make your student life balance smoother and more organized. 

1. Prioritize your tasks: Prioritizing your tasks ensures that the most critical work gets done. A modified Eisenhower Matrix is excellent for this. The first category of tasks to be completed are those that are due soon and worth a large amount of your grade. The second category of tasks are those that are due later but worth a large amount of your grade. The third set of tasks include assignments that are due soon but worth less of your grade. The fourth category consists of tasks that are due later and worth less of your grade. 
2. Use the Todoist App: Try the Todoist app for your to-do lists! Todoist allows you to create and organize tasks quickly; you can even add it as an extension to Google Chrome. It also offers due dates, priorities, and reminders to help you stay focused and organized.
3. Timeblock your week: Assign each item on your to-do list to specific blocks of time. Time-blocking allows you to schedule your classes, assignment deadlines, and study sessions, and even allocate time for self-care and social activities. Time-blocking will help you get more done in less time. 
4. Google Calendar: Google Calendar is one of my most frequently used apps. The notifications, ease of creating events, and sharing features make it perfect for students. You can customize colors, have multiple calendars, and synchronize scheduling. If you take any tips from this list, start using Google Calendar. 
5. Pomodoro Method: Use the Pomodoro technique when working. It allows you to work in a focused burst of 25 minutes followed by short breaks of 5 minutes. 
6. Forest App: Try the Forest app to set Pomodoro timers and stay on track with your work. Forest helps you stay focused by growing virtual trees during work intervals; if you leave the app, your trees die. It helps you stay on track to keep the trees growing!

Balancing your life as a student can be challenging, but effective time management can create harmony between your academic and personal life. Set clear goals, use a planner or task management app, implement techniques like the Pomodoro method, eliminate distractions, and prioritize self-care. Remember, it’s all about finding what works best for you, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different strategies and apps until you discover your ideal time management routine. Time management isn’t just a skill; it’s a tool that empowers you to make the most of your college journey.