Managing your time
Managing your time as an undergraduate student is an important skill, particularly as part of your learning will be conducted through independent study. Good time management is not just about organising your time, but also making sure you are working as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Planning your time well can not only help you to visualise your goals but also helps you to keep a healthy work-life balance while enjoying your learning. There is no ‘right’ way to plan and how effective planning techniques are often depends on the individual, however it’s good to be aware of the following tips:
Time Management
Take a step back
Reflect regularly on whether your study techniques are effective and be aware of the best times in the day for your study. It may be the case that you work better in the mornings but have planned lots of evening work therefore you will have to adjust your schedule.
Visualise your goals
What is your overall goal? This can sometimes be a daunting question, especially when you are starting out in your degree, so it may help to divide your goals into manageable tasks. Establishing the difference between your short-term and long-term goals is a good start and can help you to visualise the steps to achieving them.
Know your course requirements
Find out what each aspect of your course contributes towards your final grade. When you know how important a piece of work is, you’ll know how much time you’re expected to devote to it.
Reward yourself
If you’ve made progress towards your goals then it’s important to reward yourself for your achievements. Remember that looking forward to something can motivate you and help you to stay on track.
Take action
Once you have made a note of all your important deadlines, it may be helpful to develop an action plan. First, write a list of all the tasks that you need to complete. Next, develop an action plan by assessing how long each task will take and giving each task (or stage) a deadline for completion.
Be flexible
It’s important to know your limits and be realistic in the goals you set for yourself. Don’t take on too much at once and be prepared to try a different approach if things aren’t going to plan.
Find your system
Everyone works differently but having a system (e.g. diary on your phone, wall chart, reminders) to keep everything under control will enable you to keep track of coursework deadlines, revision priorities and additional reading you need to do. You may find the following apps useful for structuring your workload:
Prioritise
When you have many tasks on your plate, you will have to prioritise your work. Dividing individual tasks into the following categories may help with this:
- Urgent
- Important but not urgent
- Not important but urgent
- Not urgent and not important
Take a break
While your academic work should be the main focus of your time at Imperial, you shouldn't feel that you have to study all the time. Use the study time you’ve allocated effectively and you won't need to feel guilty when you do something else at other times. Make sure that you have factored regular breaks into your planning. Depending on what you choose to do, taking a break may help lift your mood, improve your sleep, and help you to think clearer.
Relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques can be as simple as changing your scenery, practising yoga or talking to a friend, Young Minds offers some further advice on how to take time out and recharge your batteries.
The Chaplaincy also offers a quiet space for reflection, mindfulness and meditation.
Further support with time management
Disabilities, Health conditions, Mental health difficulties and Specific learning difficulties can have an impact on the thinking skills associated with organisation and time management. If you would like to discuss issues around these matters, please book an appointment with the disability advisory service where you can get support for an existing condition or help in securing a possible diagnostic assessment.
There are also a number of resources and webinars offered for students who could benefit from support with attention, concentration and focus. ICT also run a number of webinars on inclusive software. Using the right software and apps can help you increase your effectiveness and feel better equipped for the demands of work and study.