Managing your time effectively
Whether it’s balancing deadlines, making it to lectures on time or just keeping all your notes in one place, being able to effectively manage your time and stay organised is a big part of independent learning and a skill that will certainly make university much easier.
Think about how you currently use your time vs. how you want to use it.
Do you:
- Feel in control of your time?
- Keep track of everything you need to do?
- Realise where your time goes?
- Know how to manage distractions?
- Use time management strategies?
- Have time for yourself?
Make a note of what you already do and what you could do better.
Why does this matter?
It’s not only about how much time you spend studying but using that time effectively. You’ll also feel more confident and in control when your time is organised.
Using time well means you have more choice what to do with the time saved
All University of Lincoln students have access to the learning resource hub Skills for Study, provided by the Library. Follow this link to a Time management module and complete topics on Planning and prioritising and Time management techniques.
You will need to login using your University of Lincoln credentials to access this learning resource.
Read more about Time management moduleEffective time management
Look in your module handbook and see how much time it is recommended you spend studying.
You may need more than this if your study background isn’t straightforward, or English isn’t your first language.
Have you ever thought you didn’t know where your time went? Many of us have!
Try keeping a log for a week and see exactly how you spend your time. It might be very different from what you think.
Do you really need to spend your time in this way? What things could you change to make more time for studying?
However, remember to make time for hobbies, socialising and keeping healthy.
Decide what’s important and urgent and leave tasks which aren’t as important until later.
Do you really need to do the things that aren’t important?
Plan exactly when you are going to do what you need to do.
Work backwards from deadlines; what you need to do and how long it will take e.g. early ideas generation, research methods, searching for information, organising & selecting information, drafts, checking & amendments, then hand-in).
Put your plan where you can see it or access it easily.
If your plan isn’t working – change it! Don’t try and stick to something that doesn’t work for you.
What distract you most, and how can you stop this? Try the Flora App!
Staying focused when working at home
Lily shares her 3 top tips for studying at home and making the most from your study time by avoiding distractions.