Time management is a skill that allows us to organise ourselves so that we do not put ourselves in a position where we have to rush through coursework or examinations.

 

• The despair of an approaching deadline induces error and increases our chance of accidentally plagiarising, cheating, or colluding

• It also affects the quality of our work

 

Our tips

 

Work out your goals

• Establishing your goals will help you  focus on what you need to do to achieve these goals

 

Prioritise tasks 

When you prioritise your tasks you can keep on top of what is most important and urgent. Remember that your personal life also affects your studies, so time management is relevant and important in both aspects. 

Prioritise tasks is by dividing them into 4 different categories:

1. Important and urgent

2. Important, but not urgent

3. Not important, but urgent

4. Neither important nor urgent :)

Focus on tasks that are ‘important and not urgent’ so they don't become ‘important and urgent’. 

 

Make a list

To-do lists are a useful way to keep track of what you need to do next. If you think this is for you, is good to keep some things in mind:

• Keep everything in one list; avoid losing track of multiple lists

• Keep it short and to the point

• Electronics lists are easier to edit, so you can edit priorities and add urgent/important items at the top

 

Have a lunch break

Having at least 30 minutes to go for a walk or exercise will increase productivity. 

Even if you have an important and urgent task, make sure you take some time off instead of working on a task for countless hours. 

• The time you invest in a break compensates for the unproductive hours you would have if you didn’t have one. 

 

Make use of a calendar

Making use of a calendar can also help balance other commitments, especially for mature students, carers, and those who work. 

Either electronic or physical, use a calendar to remind you of key dates:

• Exams dates and coursework deadlines

The advantage of electronic calendars is that you can set reminders and notifications so you do not miss anything.

• Your university account uses Outlook Calendar
• Add reminders weeks before your deadline to situate your timeline before a deadline
  • If you know you take 4 weeks to properly research for, write and edit an essay, you can add a weekly reminder on your calendar starting 4 weeks before the submission deadline