University life can be full of distractions. Be in control of your time. Do not allow the outcome of your life to chance. You have to take control of your life, and it starts now.
As university students, especially in Africa, life is often a fast-paced, non-stop adventure. Between assignments, exams, socialising, part-time jobs, and trying to find time for family, it can feel like you’re constantly on the go. But what if I told you that with effective time management, you could turn this chaotic routine into something smooth, manageable, and even enjoyable? Sounds impossible, right? Well, it’s not. Time management is a superpower, and once you master it, you’ll be amazed at how much easier things can become.
“You may delay, but time will not.” Benjamin Franklin
Let me share some practical, no-nonsense tips that’ll help you take control of your time and make your university life less stressful and more enjoyable. Let’s dive in!
Outline all activities for the week
University life comes with many tasks – lectures, assignments, study sessions, group work, hangout with friends, sports and rest time. You have to enumerate these tasks every week, following a daily approach. You’ll be amazed at how much more in control you feel once everything is laid out.
Prioritise Like a Pro
You need to organise all your tasks according to their order of importance and urgency.
Not every task is created equal—some things are more important and need to be done first. Other tasks can wait until later.
To do this, use the Eisenhower Matrix, a simple tool that divides tasks into four categories:
- Urgent and Important (e.g., exam prep, assignment deadlines)
- Important but Not Urgent (e.g., reading ahead for class)
- Urgent but Not Important (e.g., attending that event that you can skip)
- Neither Urgent nor Important (e.g., mindlessly scrolling through social media)
Focus first on the Urgent and Important and Not Urgent but Important tasks, and you’ll notice you start knocking things off your to-do list faster!
Set reminders on your phone’s calendar or Google Calendar to remind you of important assignments.
Avoid Procrastination (Yes, You Can)
After you have planned all your tasks, avoid procrastination. You need to get to work.
Procrastination is every student’s worst enemy. It can also be called the “I will do it later syndrome”, where you postpone tasks that you can do today for a later time, and it either gets done towards the deadline with so much stress, or never.
Procrastination is something you can beat with the right mindset.
- Start with the 2-minute rule. if a task will take less than 2 minutes, do it immediately. Whether it’s sending a quick email to your professor or reading a short chapter, knock it out now, and you’ll have fewer things piling up.
- Break big tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Instead of thinking, “I have to study for an entire exam,” break it down to “I’ll study this chapter today.” Small wins are still wins!
- Start studying for your test and exams from day one so that you can have a better mastery of the subject matter. Remember, repetition is important for adequate comprehension.
Make Use of Your Free Time
It’s easy to waste free time scrolling through Instagram or chatting endlessly on WhatsApp, but what if you could make that time work for you? Use those small pockets of time, like when you’re waiting for a lecture to start or travelling between campus and home, to review notes, read, or plan for the next day. Little by little, these moments add up!
Invest in a pocket-sized notebook or an app on your phone to jot down ideas, reminders, or even quick summaries of your lectures. You’ll be surprised at how productive you can be in the “in-between” moments.
Say No When You Need To
Let’s face it—there’s always something going on: parties, hangouts, and spontaneous plans with friends. While it’s important to enjoy life, sometimes you have to say “no” to those distractions to focus on your goals. Learning to say no doesn’t make you anti-social; it just means you’re prioritising your future.
Respect your time and know that it’s okay to turn down an invitation if it doesn’t align with your goals or if you’re already overloaded with work.
Don’t Forget Self-Care
Yes, your studies are important, but so are you! If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t have the energy or focus you need to succeed. Get enough sleep, eat well, and take time out to exercise or chill with friends. Remember, it’s all about balance.
Make sure to schedule breaks in between study sessions. Even a short walk or listening to your favourite music can recharge your mind and help you refocus.
Review and Adjust Regularly
Life is unpredictable, and sometimes things don’t go as planned. That’s okay! The key is to review your schedule and see where things are working—and where they’re not. Maybe you’ve been overloading yourself, or you’re spending too much time on tasks that aren’t as important. Regularly adjust your plan to stay on top of everything without burning out.
At the end of each week, reflect on what went well and what could be better. Adjust your plan for the next week accordingly.
Conclusion
Time management is the secret weapon that separates the successful students from the stressed ones. By following these tips and sticking to your plan, you’ll find yourself feeling more organised, less stressed, and more in control of your university life.
So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, just remember: you have the power to take control of your time, and with a little effort, you can balance school, social life, and self-care without the stress. You’ve got this!
Stay focused, stay organised, and most importantly, stay true to yourself.
What time management tip spoke to you the most? Have you resolved to apply these time management tips? Do you have a time management tip that works best for you?
Drop your response in the comment section. We would love to hear what works for you and how this post has influenced your thinking!
