7 time management tips for students

Whether you're just starting university or heading into your final year, these time management tips can help you stay on top of your studies and make the most of university life.

Set clear goals and priorities

Without clear goals, it's easy to drift through the year without direction. Begin each term by identifying your key academic objectives - whether it's achieving a specific grade, completing a dissertation, or mastering a challenging module.

Start by asking yourself: what do I need to achieve today, this week, and this month?

Then, break your ambitions into manageable, time-based goals, like:

• daily - write 500 words of an essay draft
• termly - revise for 30 minutes each working day
• weekly - read two core texts and begin essay research.

Once your goals are outlined, the next step is learning how to prioritise effectively. Not all tasks carry the same weight or urgency, so it's important to rank them by deadlines and importance. This approach helps you stay focused and reduces stress.

As psychology student Sophie Mattingley from Newcastle University shares, 'I plan a lot in advance. I start with the work that is more pressing and continue from there. My lectures and assignments are my priority.'

By consistently focusing your time and energy on what matters most, you'll stay on track and make meaningful progress.

Use a planner or digital calendar

Relying on memory to keep track of your schedule is a recipe for missed deadlines. Using a planner, diary, or digital calendar can help you map out your time effectively and eliminate last-minute panic.

Start by entering all your commitments like:

• lecture times
• seminars
• lab sessions
• part-time work shifts.

Then block in time for:

• assignment deadlines
• breaks and meals
• extra-curricular activities
• study sessions.

Sophie explains her approach to staying organised, 'I start my assignments weeks in advance, so I have time to do thorough research and reach out to academics or friends if I need help.'

Routines can also help you manage your time by reducing decision fatigue - a feeling of being mentally and emotionally tired from making too many choices - by adding structure and predictability to your day.

To conserve mental energy for more important tasks, try setting specific times for:

• exercise
• meals
• study sessions
• waking up and going to sleep.

'I always work out of the house - usually in the library - and I take a 9 to 5 working day approach, so I can use my evenings to go to dance, see friends, read, or relax,' Sophie adds.

Digital tools like Google Calendar, Notion, or Trello allow you to colour code events by level or importance and alerts in advance. Make sure whatever app you use syncs all commitments across your devices so you can keep on top of your tasks on the go.

Some students also find it helpful to plan the week in advance every Sunday evening, adjusting their schedule as needed.

Break tasks into smaller steps

A 3,000-word essay or a multi-module revision session can feel overwhelming if you look at it as one big task. To make it more manageable, consider breaking it down into smaller, actionable steps.

This strategy not only reduces procrastination but also gives you a sense of progress as you tick things off. It also helps to keep space in your schedule for unexpected interruptions.

For example, instead of planning to 'work on your dissertation', break it down into tasks such as:

• draft methodology section
• research three journal articles
• review supervisor feedback
• write a 500-word introduction.

You can use checklists, task managers, or even sticky notes to keep track of each step. Completing small tasks in manageable chunks not only gives you a confidence boost but also helps build momentum as you work towards achieving your larger goals.

Learn to say 'no'

University offers endless opportunities for fun - from sports clubs and societies to volunteering and social events. While it's important to get involved and enjoy the experience, it's just as important to protect your personal time.

Learning to say 'no' when your schedule is full doesn't make you boring or antisocial - it shows maturity and discipline. If you're feeling overcommitted, ask yourself:

• Does this activity align with my goals?
• Can I participate in a limited or more manageable way?
• Will saying yes cause unnecessary stress or impact my studies?

Sophie explains how she juggles her commitments, 'I make sure that I do all my work on time so that I can participate in my university's dance club classes and competitions. When something unexpected comes up, I prioritise it over my hobbies to make sure all of my tasks are completed.'

Learning how to decline invitations respectfully doesn't mean that you're boring, but it helps you to stay in control of your time and energy. It allows you to set healthy boundaries and focus on your priorities without feeling guilty.

You don't need to say no to everything - but it's important to recognise when an event or request could impact your wellbeing, especially during busy or high-pressure periods.

Use the Pomodoro Technique

If you struggle with concentration, the Pomodoro Technique can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.

It involves studying in short sprints - usually 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break. After four 'Pomodoros,' take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes to stretch, work on a different task, or go for a walk.

This technique works well because it:

• encourages frequent breaks, which improves focus
• helps track time spent on each task
• reduces procrastination by breaking work into short intervals.

When using this method over a longer period, you'll find your productivity improves without leaving you feeling drained.

Consider using free sites like Pomofocus or Focus Keeper to help you try out the technique.

Avoid multitasking

Multitasking is often seen as a productivity skill, but it can actually reduce the quality of your work and slow you down. While it may feel like you're being efficient, your brain isn't designed to handle several complex activities at once.

When you switch between tasks - like writing an essay while watching Netflix or scrolling TikTok - you inevitably lose focus. This constant switching not only makes it harder to maintain concentration but also increases the likelihood of making mistakes and forgetting important details.

Instead of trying to do everything at once, create an environment that supports focused work. Start by removing or minimising distractions:

• Put your phone on airplane mode or in another room - even seeing your phone nearby can tempt you to check it.
• Use an app like Stay Focused - apps like this block access to distracting sites and apps, helping you avoid mindless scrolling.
• Use browser extensions like Cold Turkey - block pop-ups and distracting websites during designated study periods.

This approach not only helps you work faster but also enhances the quality of your learning. You'll find it easier to retain and recall information during revision and exams, as your brain processes information more effectively when it's not constantly being interrupted.

Make use of productivity apps

There are plenty of apps designed to help you study more productively, stay organised, and manage your time more efficiently. The key is to find tools that suit your learning style and daily routine.

When used well, these apps can reduce mental clutter, help you stay focused, and free up your energy to concentrate on the work itself - rather than just trying to keep track of it all.

Here are a few productivity apps you could try:

• Forest - personalise your study periods by setting timers and earning rewards for staying focused. The app encourages you to stay off your phone by growing a virtual tree as you work - if you leave the app, the tree dies, making it a fun and visual way to stay on task.
• GoodNotes - import planners, annotate PDFs, and create visual representations of your ideas. It's especially useful for visual learners and students who prefer handwriting over typing, offering a paper-like feel on tablets and digital devices.
• SimpleMind - map out your thoughts and ideas in a way that works for you. Mind mapping is ideal for planning essays, revising complex topics, or brainstorming new ideas, especially if you find visual organisation helpful.
• NaturalReaders - a text-to-speech software that can read your lecture notes, articles, or essays aloud in real time. This is particularly helpful for auditory learners, students with learning differences, or anyone who benefits from listening rather than reading.

Experiment with a few of these apps to see what fits best with your study habits and course demands.

Find out more

• Discover 5 ways to manage student stress.
• Explore how to get the most out of lectures and seminars.
• See our advice on holding down a student job at university.