Studies show that rewards are usually more motivating than punishment.Get away from the computer or books to stretch or take a short walk, or eat an energy-building protein-rich snack like yogurt or almonds. If you study solidly for a couple hours, make sure you give yourself 15 to 20 minutes before you start up again. Break up blocks of study time with short breaks to limit fatigue.If you spend hours on line before starting your homework, try to stick to a plan of starting your homework first, then using online time as a reward for finishing tasks. Be honest with yourself about how you spend your time, and look at ways of cutting back on time-wasters.Break larger tasks (such as writing a research paper) into smaller ones, and tackle one part at a time. Work on one thing at a time and follow it through to completion. If, instead, you have trouble getting started, begin with easier tasks, then move on to harder ones once your brained is “warmed up.” Prioritize your tasks! If you tend to miss deadlines and have trouble finishing important things, start with the tasks that are most important and due soonest, then work on less-important stuff or things that have a longer deadline.Study with friends if that keeps you more on track, or study alone if friends are too distracting.Turn off your chat, and silence (and put away) your phone. Note that some “background noise” like TV or music with distracting lyrics can take away your focus. For others, some background noise, like music, helps. For some, they need to be in a quiet place to get things done. Be realistic about when and where you’re most productive: Some people feel most productive in the morning, and others, later in the day.Set alarms if you tend to forget to look at your planner. Use it to first schedule your exams and assignments, then go back and fill in time for studying, eating, sleeping, socializing, and relaxing. ![]() Get a planner, whether it’s electronic or paper.What is causing time management to be a struggle? Is it that you just haven't tried to make a plan for everything you need to do? Is it because of trying to study in a distracting environment? Is it because you get overwhelmed and shut down when don't take regular study breaks? Some of the following tips can be helpful, depending on the reasons your current ways of managing your time aren't working. Take a realstic look at your own patterns. (See other sections of our Self-Help Library for more detailed info on self-care.) Time Managementĭifferent time management strategies work for different people. Take some small (or big!) steps to get better sleep, eat well, and increase your level of exercise as one way to pave the way for better time management and focus. ![]() Are you eating regularly and (mostly) healthy things? Do you have adequate nutrition, including protein, in your diet? Are you avoiding overuse of caffeine? Are you avoiding use or abuse of alcohol or other drugs? If your diet isn't healthy, this will have an impact on how well you can manage your time and attention. ![]() Are you getting at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep? If not, it will be much harder to stay organized and focused. However, before examining some of these more specific techniques, it can be helpful to start with some basic self-care. Many students struggle with managing their time well and avoiding procrastination, but the rewards of even small changes in these areas can be worth it! There are a number of strategies that can help that are described in the following sections.
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