Whether you are a senior or an incoming freshie, time management is very important.

I recently read “How to become a straight-A student” by Cal Newport. In the first chapter of the book, I found that his method of time management is very useful and I want to share it with all of you!

This is a slight adaptation of his time management method.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

1. A MASTER TO DO LIST: This can be any calendar, bullet journal. Both a digital or a physical calendar works. As long as there is space to write down a list of tasks that can be completed that day.
2. A LIST: This can be in any form. Both a Digital or a Physical notebook work. Even a scrap piece of paper napkin works, so as long as you don’t lose it throughout the day! It is important that you don’t lose this. You’ll need to carry this around.

HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE

1. Read your Syllabus: First two weeks of school, professors will release the syllabus which contains the exam, tests and due dates. Find out the important dates.
2. Use your LIST. Throughout the day, record everything that you need to remember. Eg Do laundry, attend a skype meeting, call your parents.
3. Dissect the big tasks that are on your LIST. Break them up into smaller tasks. For example, for group projects. Split them up into Readings, Research, Writing your paper, Cross-checking with the group, Edits etc. Write them into the list as well.
4. Allocate tasks from Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, and the tasks uncompleted from the day before onto their respective dates in the MASTER TO DO LIST. Choose an appropriate date which you most likely have time to complete the tasks. Otherwise, find an alternative day to do them. Note: the specific date is not important as you can always reschedule again later if it is not that urgent.
5. Every Night, take the MASTER TO DO LIST and schedule the tasks written for the next day into a time schedule. For example, in the morning (10 am to 11 am) you have to attend class. 11 am to 12 pm, there is a meeting with a project group. 12 pm to 1 pm, lunch break, which you may want to slot in a short phone call with your parents. 1 pm to 12 pm, you have some free time so you can watch an online lecture. 2 pm to 4 pm another class. 4 pm to 4:30 pm back to my hall. 4:30 pm to 4:45 pm is another break time. 4:45 pm to 5 pm, do your laundry.
6. Throughout the day, reference the time schedule which you have drawn up as you go about your day.

TIPS

1. It would be good to have it all in a single notebook. (Eg a simple BUJO). Make sure that they are not overly complicated. The notebook will include both the MASTER TO DO LIST as well as the LIST.
2. Digital is one of the best ways too if you prefer using your devices to track (eg Notion, Google, Microsoft Calendars, Phone Calendars)
3. As soon as you can, write down all your tasks immediately onto the list when you are told about it.
4. Be realistic when you allocate the items you need to remember for a future date. If you have a lot of things on your plate that day (eg project meetings, submissions, tests to study for), chances are you will not complete that task. You should then find another day which is more suitable.
5. Be flexible but disciplined on your rough time schedule. It is merely a suggestion, an estimation. It should not be a burden if you do not complete some of the tasks. For example, if a person were to ask you out, there is no need to reject. If you have already completed the urgent tasks, you can opt to go out instead. As long as you remember to allocate it to a future date later. In fact, if you complete the majority of the tasks on the list, you are a lot more productive than many out there. However, you should not make an excuse for every item on the time schedule. Otherwise, it would defeat the purpose of this system.
6. I like doing step 3 and 4 the night before I sleep because it makes it easier for me to rest better. Without doing it, it keeps “bouncing around in my head” (I keep thinking and trying to make the plans in my mind so I might as well make them more concrete), which makes my mind too active for me to sleep. You may also opt to do these steps, first thing every morning.
7. Alternatively, you can do this weekly instead. But do note that some of your tasks may not be able to hold on until the following week. So you will want to keep them in mind.
8. On Sundays, make sure to double-check what is due in the upcoming week so that you have enough time to prep and ensure that what you must submit is completed.

EXAMPLE

• Task 1, write “Art as a Commodity Project Meeting” into the MASTER TO DO LIST for Tuesday.
• Task 2, write “Study for Python quiz” into the MASTER TO DO LIST for Friday.
• Task 3, write “Checkup on Exchange Application by 1 pm” into the MASTER TO DO LIST for Tuesday.
• Task 4, write “Revise for Social Marketing Quiz” into the MASTER TO DO LIST for Tuesday morning at 6:30 am (before class).
• Task 5, write “Do up Python CheatSheet” into the MASTER TO DO LIST for Wednesday and Thursday.
• Task 6, write “Do laundry” into the MASTER TO DO LIST for Friday.

Do the same each day. You’ll definitely feel much more productive and organized if you follow this system!

That’s my example. I’ve been using this system and I found that it has helped make my life so much better! Let me know down in the comments on how you organise your life.

If you have not read my blog post on 5 Back to School BUJO ideas on how to organise the other areas in your life, read it down below!