Our minds can sometimes be deceptive. In reality, we never have a lot of time to get all our work done, but just enough, if, of course, we focus properly on the task at hand. However, achieving laser focus can be quite difficult, especially when our mobile phone starts to feel like an extension of our own body after endless hours spent scrolling through Instagram Reels.
So the best way to manage time is simply to stop letting ourselves get distracted for hours on end. And yes, that means watching one more productivity hack video on YouTube will be detrimental to this journey.
Now that we’ve covered the constraint part, it’s important to recognize that research by experts has shown that there is only a moderate correlation between the ability to manage time and the quality of performance. However, this should not discourage us from learning the art of managing our time. Ultimately, learning to make the most of our day is not a temporary skill but something that will eventually pay off as a form of discipline long after we have thrown away our graduation hat .
When learning this skill, procrastination is our enemy. Many students procrastinate almost instinctively on their most important tasks. We cannot be fooled into believing that we work better under pressure because everyone performs well at different times. Instead of deciding to study everything in one night, be realistic about your ability to concentrate at any given time, then schedule small blocks of time to study.
Razeen Islam, a third-year finance student who juggles an internship and a teaching job at the same time, spoke about blocking time, which allows him to orientate himself in his daily tasks. He says, “I rely on a few simple things. First, I strictly commit to finishing my to-do list. I wake up early and depend on rideshare bikes to save time on my commute. Which helps me What really helps is time blocking, which is basically assigning specific tasks to specific times of the day.
While these strategies are very effective, life can sometimes be a little different for students pursuing demanding degrees in art and design. For example, architecture and fashion design students may have to spend long, seemingly endless hours in their design studios. If one is not intentional about how they want to spend their time, they will almost certainly head toward burnout.
Ennessy Morshed, a final year fashion design student, is someone who believes in a strict commitment to to-do lists. She shared some tips that helped her balance her studio hours and hobbies throughout college.
“Being a fashion designer means always having your hands full with one task or another, which can be very exhausting at times. To avoid being in that cycle where I wake up in the morning and realize that I don’t haven’t accomplished much in the day, I always try to plan my time and write it down. I’ve also gotten into the habit of meeting my personal deadlines to make sure I get everything done well before the last minute “Also, working on more than one project at a time is a big no-no for me,” she says.
She also emphasized the importance of self-care and added, “Taking breaks here and there is necessary to stay refreshed and passionate about our profession. This is what keeps me from burning out and thinking negatively. »
Even with all the right strategies, college life can still be difficult. We all struggle from time to time, and more often than not, the blood, sweat, and tears we put into our degrees will feel like a major sacrifice. Thus, commitment to your ambitions will be your best ally in staying on the right track.
Sanjida Subha, currently studying at United Medical College, said, “Medical students are not known for having much time to themselves. The academic pressure is enormous and we don’t really get enough time off or vacation. This takes lots of time. hard, grueling work, and exam seasons can be exceptionally intimidating. She informs us that she learned to get by quite well in her first year as a medical student and jokes: “Not all parties are important, not all hangouts are for me.”
This is a mantra to note the next time we struggle to say no, because as students we must learn to prioritize our commitments wisely, attend the gatherings that nourish our soul, and shamelessly ignore others .
