Do you ever have the feeling that there are simply not enough hours in the day?

And why do some people seem to achieve more within their day than others? The answer is – good time management.

Time management is forward planning and organising how to divide your time between different activities. Sometimes this can feel almost impossible, when it seems that everyone wants a piece of your time. Dividing your time between family, work, friends, activities and then fitting in the all-important “me time” can be slightly overwhelming. Firstly, we need to de-clutter and take charge of our time.

Some of the most important time management skills include:

• - Organization – keeping a calendar of your day’s activities, meetings, study time can give you a clear picture of what lies ahead. Block out sufficient time for each activity. Also keeping your work area tidy and organised can create a sense of calm.
• - Prioritise – What is really important?
• - Planning - Stop procrastinating! Pomodoro Timer.
• - Delegation.
• - Goal-setting - Set short and long-term goals.
• - Stress management.- read more about here

The Benefits of Good Time Management

When you know how to manage your time effectively, you can unlock many benefits. These include:

• - Greater productivity and efficiency.
• - Less stress.
• - Feeling happier and in control.
• - More opportunities to achieve your life, study and career goals.

Overall, you start feeling more in control which reduces stress and negativity.

And by reducing stress and feeling more relaxed, you have a clearer mind to think. You may also be in a position to help others reach their targets, too.

The Pomodoro Technique - Beat procrastination and improve your focus one pomodoro at a time.

This popular time management method asks you to alternate pomodoros — focused work sessions — with frequent short breaks to promote sustained concentration and stave off mental fatigue.

Try the Pomodoro Technique if you...

• - Find little distractions often derail the whole workday
• - Consistently work past the point of optimal productivity
• - Have lots of open-ended work that could take unlimited amounts of time (e.g., studying for an exam, research for a blog post, etc.)
• - Are overly optimistic when it comes to how much you can get done in a day (aren't we all 🙃)
• - Enjoy gamified goal-setting

Strategies for better time management

1. 1. Set priorities
2. 2. Use a planning tool
3. 3. Get organised
4. 4. Schedule your time appropriately
5. 5. Stop procrastinating
6. 6. Avoid multitasking

Try these activities below:

Part 1: Self-monitoring

Keep a diary of your daily study activities for one week

1. Record the date, place and the time you stop and start studying
2. The type of study activity you are engaged in
3. Any thoughts and feelings you may have had before and after studying
4.  

5. Part 2: Self-monitoring

   Implement a program for gradual self-improvement.

Please refer to the study timetable on the next page.

5. How much time did you spend studying?
6. Was it good, quality time or were you daydreaming or distracted?
7. Did you avoid certain subjects which you dislike?
8. Did the places in which you studied encourage productive study?
9. What were you telling yourself about studying?
   
   

Timetable

Use this timetable to help you achieve the goal you set for this month according to your self-monitoring.

This month’s that I will achieve:

Need assistance as a student at MCI?

Do you require assistance with your studies at MCI? Do you need a role play partner? Be reminded, to please reach out to your mentor. Finally, you always have the option and are encouraged to interact with other students by joining the MCI Student Facebook page.

If you would like to talk to a MCI Wellbeing officer, please click below:

All the best!