TIME MANAGEMENT & PROCRASTINATION
Time Management
Finding ways to use your time effectively can become complicated for students balancing classes, jobs, clubs, and other commitments.
College is a great time to develop and improve your time management skills, so you feel in control your time after graduation.
PROCRASTINATION
Procrastination occurs when we delay something we must do despite knowing we will be worse off for the day. Here are some reasons procrastination occurs:
- Lack of motivation
- Not feeling confident about the task
- High stress levels
- Unrealistic perception of time
HELPFUL STRATEGIES
Task Segmentation
Task segmentation involves breaking large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. This can be done through:
- Backwards planning
- To-do lists
- Setting deadlines
The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method based on 25-min stretches of focused work broken by 5-min breaks. Longer breaks, typically 15-30 min, are taken after four consecutive work intervals. Here's how you can get started:
- Each day, write down 6 tasks in order of importance
- Work on one task at a time until complete, then move down the list
- The ones that are not completed move to the top of your list tomorrow
Time Blocking
Time blocking is a method where you divide your day or week into blocks of time dedicated to a specific task. Each block is labeled with the name of the task. This method helps you visualize your time and avoid underestimating the time needed to complete a task.