Time management advice for students

Many students struggle with time management.  

You may have come from school, work or college where there is a fixed daily routine. At university, you may only have four hours of class time a week. This leaves you to organise most of your week.  

This can be overwhelming at first. Here are some tips. 

Plan your day 

It's tempting to plan the perfect day, where you can work for a solid eight hours and get everything done.  

In reality, this rarely happens. Focus on what’s realistic for you. 

• Use a diary. It can be a physical or digital one. Your Outlook calendar can be helpful, as you can put in your deadlines with reminders. 
• Plan one day at a time. Be realistic in your expectations. What will you be doing for yourself and your wellbeing? 

Prioritisation 

Setting priorities is a key part of time management. 

Decide when you will eat, relax, sleep and do things you enjoy. Looking after your physical and mental health can help you progress other things in your life. 

Note down all your deadlines, assignments and other tasks like work or meetings. 

Then think about what you need to complete first and how long it will take. Do this for all work on the list.  

Set goals 

Setting goals can keep us focused on what we need to do.  

We’d recommend using the SMART goals method. 

How the University can help 

Student Services offer a range of help including specialist support and resources for your wellbeing and mental health.  

Other places to find help 

• MindTools has guidance on how to improve time management skills.
• TimeCamp has a list of time management techniques.
• This TED-Ed YouTube video has tips on how to manage your time more effectively.