Use these time management skills to help you balance study, work and life
Elton Rodrigues 4 min read
Time management is crucial for high school and university students to balance academics and personal life. Along with technical skills and communication skills, time management skills are a requirement for private tutors, and is a key consideration when deciding if you wish to start a tutoring side hustle
During my university and medical school years, I taught myself multiple skills and had side hustles like a PC-building business, group tutoring, and Kedyou. While working as a doctor, I managed full-time work alongside Kedyou. Although I realized it wasn’t sustainable and decided to resign from full-time medical work, I gained valuable insights into time management and getting things done. Here are some strategies that have helped me manage my time efficiently:
📝 Prioritizing tasks
One of the best ways to improve your time management is to become better at prioritizing tasks. Good time managers understand that not all tasks are equally important. Some need immediate attention, while others can be delayed. Focus on the tasks that are most time sensitive, and let the less important ones fall lower on your to-do list. As deadlines approach, those tasks will naturally become more important. This concept is also referred to as “good procrastination” by Paul Graham
You probably won’t be able to do everything you want to in a day, so instead, try to do a few things that really matter. Think of your work as having a bottleneck which needs the most attention. Many people work on what they want to do instead of addressing the bottleneck. But if you can identify the bottleneck in any task and focus on it, you can get a big payoff for your time. So, find the task that needs the most attention, then the bottleneck, and tackle it
📺 Procrastinating as a form of planning
Delay important non-urgent tasks. When faced with a big assignment or task, take some time to read through it and understand what needs to be done. Instead of immediately starting, do something else, even if it’s not work-related
This approach allows the task to simmer in your mind. During the period between reading it and starting the actual work, you’ll often have valuable ideas pop up. Big tasks often need creative solutions, and who is actually creative when they want to be? Allowing your subconscious to process and generate ideas while you work on other things can be a superpower that many people overlook
Don’t think of this as procrastination. Instead, think of it as planning. When the ideas eventually come together, you’ll find that you can quickly complete the task without struggling to force creativity
🏃♂️ Efficient work habits
Everyone gets distracted and procrastinates, including highly efficient individuals. However, good time managers make the most of their working time. One key tip is to avoid unnecessary multitasking. When you try to do multiple things at once, you can’t fully focus on any of them, and you waste time switching between tasks. Instead, try single-tasking and give your full attention to one task at a time
Picture yourself as a waiter delivering plates to customers. It wouldn’t make sense to keep changing your mind about which plate to bring halfway through each delivery. It’s much more efficient to deliver one plate at a time and then move on to the next
When working on a task, only set specific goals for each session if it’s necessary. Contrary to popular advice, you don’t always need to make to-do lists or set goals for simple tasks. Some productivity apps may keep you engaged with planning rather than actual work. Spending more time planning than doing the work won’t be helpful at all
🗻 Overcoming overwhelm
When you have a lot to do, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This overwhelming feeling can make you freeze up and feel stuck because of the sheer number of tasks ahead. The most important thing is to take that first step and get started, focusing on one task at a time
Remember, you can only do one thing at a time, so break down your bigger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. While you’re working on one task, let the others wait. As you complete tasks one by one, you’ll start to feel more motivated and get into a productive rhythm
If possible, reach out to friends, mentors, or anyone else who can lend a hand. Getting some help and support can make the workload feel less overwhelming. Remember, you don’t have to do it all on your own, and it’s okay to ask for assistance
📈 Maximizing productive time
Some people prefer to work in the morning, while others thrive in the late afternoon or evening. Identify your peak productivity periods and schedule your important tasks around them
For example, during my university and medical school days, I would work from 10 pm to 5 am. This worked well for me because it was a quiet time with fewer distractions, and I am a very distraction-prone person. It also allowed me to utilize the benefits of studying before sleep. However, everyone is different, so find the time that works best for you and work during that period
🤸♀️ Balancing academics and personal life
This one’s relevant to late high school and university students. Effective time management isn’t about doing only academics. It’s crucial to maintain a healthy balance between academic pursuits and personal interests. Don’t lose who you are, and your interests and health in the pursuit of a university course or job title. Your mind and body are invaluable resources, and taking time to relax, self-care and exercise should be thought of as productive hours, because they’ll make your working hours much better.
Mastering time management is an ongoing journey, and it requires conscious effort and practice. By prioritizing tasks, procrastinating as a form of planning, working efficiently, overcoming overwhelm, and maintaining a balance between academics and personal life, you can start to take more control of your time.
Try implementing these ideas today. I’m confident you’ll find more success in academic endeavours while also enjoying a more rounded and fulfilling life
