Updated: Friday, September 27, 2024
Energy and sanity can run low when a pile of work is never ending. Managing good grades, performing well at a big game or academic competition, spending quality time with family, and maintaining a social life can be exhausting. That’s why every student should invest in a time management game plan.
Your game plan is meant to fit your needs and lifestyle, and is customized by you, for you. If utilized, these habits can become a lifesaver, sparing you all-nighters and missed deadlines. Here are some effective and efficient time management techniques that — when integrated into your daily routine — can clear up some free time, change the way you approach your work, and give you some much-needed stress relief.
Whether it’s a calendar, a planner, or reminders on your phone, implement a system where your to-do list and tasks, both personal and academic, are recorded in one place. Smartphone apps are a great way to stay on track. Try myHomework or MyStudyLife to stay on top of homework assignments, test dates, and other academic deadlines. Apps like 2Do and Todoist can help you organize all your tasks and commitments.
Organizational tools help you to see the bigger picture and plan out your time in a strategic way. Just think about how long each task will take you and set a definitive deadline. Then experience the feeling of accomplishment as you cross assignments off your list!
Pick one location in your house, whether it’s your kitchen table or a desk in your room, to do your work. By choosing an official workspace, you are guaranteeing all the materials you need will be in the same place every day. Additionally, you are also mentally entering a work mindset every time you enter that space. Instead of running around your house looking for a textbook or pencil, everything you need will be right where you need it so you can jump into your work quickly and finish on time.
Looking at a long prompt for an essay, a comprehensive study guide, or all your notes for the year when you’re studying for finals can be daunting. Instead, split the project into smaller tasks and create a schedule for yourself. Organize an essay into paragraphs, title each paragraph, and schedule one or two paragraphs a day. Instead of cramming and writing a whole paper in one day (or the night before a deadline), give yourself a week to work on it, and only do a bit a day so you won’t feel so overwhelmed.
You can do the same by making a designated study schedule for a final by assigning yourself only a few chapters of material each day the week before the exam. You will absorb the information more effectively and may even get a good night’s sleep before the big test!
While it may seem like you’re giving yourself more work than you need, this study technique will spread your workload and cut down the study preparation time later. After each lecture, look over what you learned that day, look up and clarify any information you did not understand, neatly organize and re-type or re-write your notes, and create study questions based on the material.
Installing a study tool like the Quizlet app on your phone can help you review your notes in a flashcard format or convert them to outlines and practice tests. That way, your study materials are at your fingertips anytime you have a spare minute or two to review them. In general, establishing good study habits will save you from stressful last-minute cramming.
Assigning a priority level to each task will help you stay organized. Assign each task a deadline and move the task up your priority list as their deadline approaches. Decide if the deadline is flexible (e.g., laundry) or firm (e.g., the due date for your history essay) so you know which tasks need to be completed first.
Need additional help staying on track? IvyWise counselors have the expertise to help you stick with your college prep plan. Schedule an Initial Consultation to learn how we can help you achieve your academic goals.
It can be difficult to choose where to go to college, and it sometimes happens that a student realizes their current school isn’t working for them. Or perhaps a student starts out at a community college before continuing on to a four-year school to finish their degree. Whatever the reason, transferring to another school is always an option. If you’re considering a transfer to another school, you are not alone.
With a location in the heart of New York City and a plethora of renowned programs and internship opportunities, it’s easy to understand why New York University is a top choice on many students’ best-fit lists. As a result, New York University is also a highly competitive college, with acceptance rates falling to approximately 12% in recent years.
IvyWise Scholar Benson Shares His Top Tips for Students Applying to College
As part of our IvyWise Gives Back initiative, IvyWise Scholars is our pro bono college admissions counseling program for high-achieving, low-income students. We caught up with IvyWise Scholar Benson, a gifted student from Louisiana, to learn more about his college admissions journey, what it’s like to work with IvyWise during this process, and get some of his college prep advice for other students.
