Uptree

Maintaining organisation can be difficult as a student, especially when trying to balance exams, researching career paths and maintaining a social life. We’ve put together five top tips to consider when organising your time.

1. Make lists

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed when you have a lot of tasks to complete. Sometimes you may forget about smaller jobs when you have lots of other things to focus on. Try and make a list of each of your tasks so you can see clearly which ones are most urgent and which ones you can leave until later. Having a visual for your tasks can be really valuable in helping identify how important or time consuming each task is. This information will make it much easier to structure your day and get the most out of your time.

2. Set realistic goals

When it comes to work and study, it’s really helpful to set clear and realistic goals. You can only do so much in a day and it’s better to be realistic about what you can achieve, rather than overwhelming yourself trying to cram everything into one day. Whether it's submitting a job application, reading through a chapter of your revision guide or finishing your CV, try breaking bigger tasks down into smaller, more achievable chunks. Catching small wins like this will help you stay calm and focused, which is really important for your productivity.

3. Time management

It’s very normal (and easy) to find yourself procrastinating. Try not to leave tasks until the last minute or get stuck on one question for too long. If you find that you are getting bored or stressed because of an assignment, take a break from it and work on another task that needs to be completed. If a task will take 30 minutes, give yourself 45 minutes to an hour. Having this window of time can reduce pressure, help to maintain motivation and allow for good time management.

4. Eliminate distractions

When you’re starting something, it’s important to make sure you can make the most out of that time. Try to remove any distractions which could eat away at the time you’ve set aside. If you know you can be easily distracted, consider muting your notifications or putting your phone in a different room to avoid temptation. You can even find apps which can help you manage (or even block) your phone usage.

5. Self-care

In order to get the most out of your time, it’s important to treat yourself well. Focusing for too long, without breaks, can lead to counterproductive results such as headaches and burnout. If you know that you struggle to concentrate for long periods of time, factor in short regular breaks so that you don’t lose focus too quickly. Treat your breaks as an opportunity for self-care, grab a snack or go for a walk. Taking the opportunity to do something well-being related will give your mind the space to recover from stress and restore your mental energy.

Try to balance your work/study sessions with things that you enjoy. Having something to look forward to, whether it’s listening to a podcast or meeting a friend, can help you focus on getting tasks finished.

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