Managing your time can be tough, especially in college. There are always 8139874201 (quite the exaggeration, I know) things to do; it can be hard and extremely frustrating. Even if you think you are managing your time effectively, there are probably some tips you can live with knowing. It never hurts to manage your time better.
Here are some things that I do to better prioritize my life. These tips can apply to work, school, your social life, and anything else that is on your mind.
The most important thing is, obviously, the due date. The most common way a person can prioritize their work is by due date. When you know when something must be finished, it is easier to find the time to finish it by its due date. For example if something is due on Tuesday, then obviously it will be more important the assignment due on Friday. If your tasks do not have any concrete due dates, assign them due dates yourself. By giving yourself a time frame to accomplish the work, you will likely be more productive.
The next thing to focus on is the weight of the project. If the task is falling heavy on your mind then you may want to put it at the top of your list. Keep in mind that some things may need to be done first, just to get them off your mind. If you have a task that is bothering you, then get it done because that way the you will be able to accomplish your other tasks with the least amount of stress possible. By getting the heaviest projects out of the way, you will be able to get everything else done with the least amount of stress.
The third tip I abide by is the length of a project. If the project is long and tedious then you are going to want to start it far in advance, so you can work on it in pieces. You should probably start this is the morning because you are more likely to have energy and do a better job of the task at hand.
Another great way to stay prioritized is by using your emotions. If you are passionate about one project, it means that you will put it at the top of your list. If you are excited about a project or task you should put it near the top of your daily list. The same goes if you are dreading a project; if you think you are going to hate doing it, then get it done and out of the way first. If you do it first, chances are better that you will accomplish the task quicker and better because you will be able to relax for the rest of the day.
If you like to group your work by degree of difficulty, then your work by level of ease. This means that you might feel most comfortable doing your easy daily tasks at the beginning of the day to get them out of the way. You may be the type of person who likes to get the most tasks done early in the morning. If you would rather save the easy tasks for the end of the day, then tackle the difficult tasks in the morning, before you are tired from the day.
And finally, let me tell you what works best for me! I make lists. A lot of people hate making lists, and actually now that I think about it...so do I, but I enjoy crossing things off my list, so I guess it evens out. My favorite thing to do is to complete a task and then cross it out of my agenda. It is a stress reliever.
When you are prioritizing you need to done what needs to be done. The key is a well accomplished day is being a great "prioritizer." The sooner you start prioritizing, the better you will be later! Being organized never hurt anyone...so give it a shot!
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I'm a senior at The College at Brockport (SUNY). Majoring in Communication studies with a concentration on persuasion, and minoring in political science with an interest in American politics my future career field is mostly unknown, but through many internships I have great experience and good knowledge about the things I may want to do. This blog will mainly address topics of dealing with the real world, internships, and getting through college alive!
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