Time Management For Students

As a student, managing your time efficiently is a vital part of achieving academic success. It can be particularly challenging during the revision period for GCSEs and A Levels, as there is a lot of content to cover in a short amount of time. However, with the right strategies and techniques, you can make the most of your study time and maximise your productivity. In this article, we will provide practical advice on time management for students during revision time.

Assessing Your Available Time for Studying

The first step in effective time management is to assess how much time you have available for studying. Determine how many hours per day and per week you can realistically dedicate to studying. Consider factors like school, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and family obligations. Remember to be realistic and account for relaxation and leisure time as well.

Create Your Study Timetable Prioritising Your Study Sessions

Once you have a clear understanding of your available study time, create a study timetable. Prioritise subjects and topics that require more attention, such as those you find challenging or where you have a knowledge gap. Allocate sufficient time for each subject, and be sure to include regular breaks and review sessions. Revisit your timetable periodically and adjust as needed.

Calendar Blocking

Calendar blocking is one of the most useful time management strategies for students. It involves dividing your day into blocks of time and allocating specific tasks or areas of focus to each block. This helps you stay on track and ensures you are making progress towards your goals.

Time blocking is helpful for students as it promotes structured and organised daily routines and study schedules, ensuring a balanced approach to learning. By allocating specific time blocks for each subject, students can maintain focus and productivity while also effectively managing their commitments and leisure time. This technique is particularly beneficial during revision periods, as it helps students maximise their time and achieve better exam results.

How to use Calendar Blocking in your revision?

1. List all activities and tasks- make a comprehensive list of all your activities, tasks, and commitments. This should include academic subjects, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, family obligations, and leisure time activities.
2. Allocate time for each task - estimate how much time each activity or task will take. Be realistic and consider the complexity of the task, your familiarity with the subject, and the time it typically takes you to complete similar tasks.
3. Create time blocks - divide your day into time blocks, each dedicated to a specific task, subject or area of focus. For example, you might have a two-hour block for studying Maths, followed by a 30-minute break, then a one-hour block for doing Maths past papers. Make sure to include time for meals, sleep, and leisure activities to ensure a healthy balance.
4. Colour-code your calendar - to make your calendar visually appealing and easy to navigate, assign a colour to each type of activity and subject (e.g., blue for study sessions, green for extracurriculars, and yellow for leisure time). This will help you quickly identify the different aspects of your schedule at a glance.

Eat that frog

"Eat that frog" is a popular time management technique that involves tackling the most challenging task first. The idea is to get the most challenging task out of the way, leaving you feeling motivated and productive for the rest of the day. For example, if you find that practising with past papers is difficult for, you should set a goal to complete one past paper at the start of your revision day. When revising, it’s always good to start with the most challenging topic or subject, and then move on to easier topics. This will give you a sense of achievement and make it easier to tackle the remaining content.

Identifying Time-Wasters And Strategies To Overcome Them

When you are revising for your GCSEs, A Levels or IB exams, time-wasters can be a significant distraction, affecting your productivity and grades. Time-wasters are activities that consume your time without adding any real value to your life. Examples include social media, binge-watching TV, and excessive gaming. These activities can be a significant distraction during the revision period, affecting your productivity and grades.

Identify your time-wasters and come up with strategies to overcome them. For example, you can use website blockers to limit social media use or set a limit on the amount of time spent on such activities.

Prioritising Tasks With Eisenhower Method

The Eisenhower Method, also known as the Eisenhower Matrix, is a time management tool that helps you prioritise tasks based on their urgency and importance. Divide your tasks into four categories:

• Urgent and important
• Important but not urgent
• Urgent but not important
• Neither urgent nor important

When revising, focus on urgent and essential tasks first, followed by important but not urgent tasks. This will ensure that you are not overwhelmed by urgent but not essential tasks, allowing you to focus on the most important work.

Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro technique is a time management method that involves working in intervals of 25 minutes, followed by a short break. This method helps you stay focused and productive by breaking down work into manageable chunks.

How to use Pomodoro Technique in your revision?

1. Choose a specific topic. 

Select a particular subject and topic within that subject for your upcoming Pomodoro session. For instance, if you're going through revision notes for A Level Biology, you might choose to focus on cell structure and function for the next interval.

2. Set a timer. 

Set a timer for 25 minutes (or your preferred interval length) to work on the chosen topic. Adjust the duration based on your concentration levels and the complexity of the topic, but remember that the standard interval is 25 minutes.

3. Work on the topic. 

Focus solely on the selected topic during the Pomodoro interval. Engage in activities such as reading notes, watching educational videos, creating flashcards, or answering topic questions. The key is to fully immerse yourself in the topic and avoid distractions.

4. Take a short break.

After the timer rings, take a 5-minute break (or your preferred break length). Use this time to rest, have a snack, or briefly engage in a non-study-related activity. This break helps maintain concentration and prevents burnout.

5. Repeat the process. 

Continue working in Pomodoro intervals, taking a short break after each interval. You can alternate between subjects and topics to maintain interest and ensure a well-rounded revision plan. For example, after completing a Biology interval, switch to a different subject, like GCSE Maths, and focus on a topic such as algebra.

6. Take a longer break. 

After completing four Pomodoro intervals (approximately 2 hours of focused work), take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. This extended break allows you to recharge more effectively, ensuring sustained productivity throughout your revision sessions.

7. Evaluate and adjust. 

Periodically assess your progress and the effectiveness of the Pomodoro Technique for your revision needs. You may need to adjust the interval length or the number of intervals per subject to ensure you're making the most of your study time.

80/20 Rule

The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle, is a helpful tool for time management. It suggests that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. When it comes to revision, this means focusing on the 20% of content that will help you achieve 80% of your grade.

Identify the key concepts and topics that will have the most significant impact on your overall grade and focus your study efforts on those. This will help you make the most of your time and ensure that you are studying the most relevant content.

How to find the most important topics to study?

• Start by reviewing the syllabus to understand the key topics and sub-topics. 
• Analyse past papers and examiner reports to identify common themes and frequently tested topics. 
• Consult teachers or tutors for their insights on important topics and assess your own strengths and weaknesses to determine areas that require more focus. 
• Consider the weightage of subjects or topics in the overall grade, and use this information to create a targeted revision plan. 

Break Tasks Into Small Manageable Chunks

Breaking down tasks into small manageable chunks is a great way to manage your time effectively. It can help you avoid overwhelm and ensure that you are making progress towards your goals. When revising, break down large topics into smaller subtopics and focus on one subtopic at a time.

For example, if you are revising a subject like a history, break down each topic into smaller sections such as key events, important figures, and key concepts. This will make it easier to absorb the information and help you stay motivated.

Why Is Time Management Important For Students?

Time management is essential for students as it contributes to improved academic performance, reduced stress, increased productivity, and a balanced lifestyle. Time management skills not only promote greater satisfaction in your academic and personal live but also prepare you for future success in college, the workplace, and beyond.

By assessing your available time, creating a study timetable, prioritising tasks, and using techniques such as calendar blocking, the Pomodoro technique, and the Eisenhower method, you can maximise your productivity and achieve your academic goals. Remember to identify and overcome time-wasters, use the 80/20 rule, and break down tasks into small manageable chunks to stay motivated and focused during your revision period.