This activity is linked to Read Section > Topic 4 : Tips and tricks to avoid wasting time. Please read it before running the activity
From the list of tips and tactics suggested below, choose the top 5 tools that you think can improve your time management the most and therefore save you time for learning.
| Tips and tactics to improve time management | Which are the ones you already use ? | Which are the ones you think you can put into practice? |
| Identify Time-Wasters | ||
| Switch off social media apps, and all notifications for the duration of your learning (many phones have a do not disturb mode built in, use it) | ||
| Allocate 3 hours of dedicated study time each day when you’re not doing anything else | ||
| Don’t answer questions immediately, allocate time after you have finished studying | ||
| Create a To-Do list to plan your day | ||
| Break large learning projects into smaller, manageable learning tasks | ||
| Prioritize and schedule your tasks (important, not important, urgent, not urgent, what can be done in few minutes, and what will take longer to complete) | ||
| Try starting with the task that you dread the most “Eat that frog” | ||
| Try to concentrate on one task, avoid switching between multiple tasks as it disrupts your concentration, do not multitask | ||
| Try to finish what you planned for the day | ||
| Complete what you started, don’t switch to another task until the one before is complete | ||
| Set deadlines for yourself whenever possible | ||
| Define who can distract you while you are studying and don’t let others take up your time | ||
| Learn to say no, they will understand it, if you want to say no do it quick | ||
| Establish daily learning routines | ||
| Keep your study place tidy | ||
| Create a learning environment in your room | ||
| Plan your breaks, use the Pomodoro technique, take short, regular, timed breaks | ||
| Remember to take some time off and relax (technology is tiring) | ||
| Give your mind a rest | ||
| Schedule your study time so that you study when you can concentrate the most and you are energized | ||
| Do not hesitate to ask for help | ||
| Schedule some time to be active physically and spend time on your mental wellbeing | ||
| When resting try to avoid thinking about what you have not done and allow yourself to rest and relax | ||
| Use digital time and project management tools |