How to Take Charge of Your Time

The life-changing magic of setting goals, getting sleep and using an agenda.

It's easy to get lost in the loop of procrastination. A few tips will help you break the endless cycle of delays so you can finally get on top of your work!

Use an Agenda

Using an agenda regularly will help you become more organized, and sharpen your time management skills. Record all your important assignments along with their due dates — once you've got the big stuff taken care of, add other tasks, like your shifts at work or social events. Having everything together will make keeping on top of things easier.

We often tell ourselves that we don't need to write certain things down because we will remember it — but you probably know how easily things can slip from your mind. Having one agenda to write down all your responsibilities can help you stay on top of your assignments, break big jobs down into smaller tasks and make a plan for accomplishing your academic goals. A paper agenda is all you need, and your Student Union might give them out for free, but if you want to build your own, Canva has some nice, free options.

Eliminate All Distractions

It's easy to get distracted while doing something you don't enjoy. That's why it's so important to rid your work space of distractions. Set your phone to airplane mode and leave it across the room, to help prevent you from checking your phone every time you get a notification.

Another way to eliminate distractions is to turn off your internet access. You might need your computer to research and work, but you also might find yourself wandering to less productive sites like YouTube and Instagram. If you need access to certain online resources, consider downloading them beforehand so you won't be tempted to browse while you work. If this isn't an option, time locks are also a handy way to re-enforce your willpower. There are lots of apps and browser addons available.

Also, try to avoid studying on your bed. Use a desk or kitchen table. Studying in your bed limits your focus and decreases productivity; you'll be tempted to relax and give in to comfort, risking leaving your work unfinished!

Set Goals for Each Study Session

You're not helping anyone when you cram information into your head the night before a test or exam. Make specific, achievable goals, and set time aside to reach them. Set goals like "I will study from 4-6 every day," or "I'll read three chapters of my text every day." Your agenda can help you integrate your goals into your daily routine.

It's also a good idea to limit your study time on any particular subject. A two hour chunk is a good bet. Once you've reached that, take a break and switch gears. You can even budget these study chunks in your agenda!

The point of setting study goals is to see where you're making progress and where you're falling behind. Keep track of your goals and measure your performance in meeting them. Not only will you become more effective in your limited time, you'll also start to notice habits you hadn't before. And it's as easy as writing in your agenda!

Get 8-10 Hours of Sleep Each Night

Sleep is vital. It affects all aspects of your mental, emotional and physical health. Studies show that not getting enough sleep can contribute to many ongoing physical and mental health issues. Some common issues for the chronically sleep-deprived include a worsened ability to learn (memory complications),depression, high blood pressure, and higher rates of illness and disease.

Letting good sleep habits lapse can hurt your grades and your well-being. In your agenda, make time for sleep, too — no less than eight hours a night! All the coffee in the world won't save you if you don't rest. So, if you want to do well in school, get a good night's sleep. You'll wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the tasks laid out in your agenda.