The best time management tools

Your agenda can really help you to get organized. It’s important to start using your agenda as of the start of the school year, because it’ll give you an overview of everything you have to do over the next few days. You’ll also get a sense of which days will be busier than others. Using your agenda early in the year is a great way to ensure it becomes a habit and a reflex.
 
The following tips will ensure you use your agenda effectively:

1. Write all your homework assignments, exam dates, and important events in your agenda as soon as you know about them.
2. Don’t forget to include study periods. Setting time aside for studying is the most effective way to prepare for an exam and ensures you won’t leave this task until the last minute. Staggering your study periods over several days is better than exhausting yourself trying to review everything in a day.
3. Use your agenda every day and be sure to include things like dental appointments and remedial classes.
4. Check your agenda before class every morning. It’s a great way to get an overview of your day and the week ahead. Checking it regularly will let you know how things are going.

Wall calendars can also help you keep track of your school deadlines. We strongly recommend hanging one in your bedroom or in the kitchen. They’re a great way to get a sense of how the month is going and can help you focus on upcoming priorities. They can also help you stay organized and plan your days. You’ll be able to tell, at a glance, that your priority for the day should be preparing for an oral presentation, finishing up a long assignment, studying for an important exam, etc. Don’t hesitate to use colour codes or sticky notes to liven things up.

Knowing what tasks need to be done right away versus what can wait is a skill well worth developing. Establishing a list of priorities can help prevent some of the stress and overwhelm we feel when we’re faced with a difficult task.

Here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

1. Nobody’s born knowing how to prioritize, but it’s a skill that anyone can develop. All it takes is a little practice!
2. Using a colour code can help you prioritize your tasks. For example, you can use an orange highlighter for tasks that can’t wait, and a blue highlighter for those that are less urgent.
3. Every time you complete a task on your list, cross it off. At the end of the day, you’ll be proud to see how much you’ve accomplished!

When you have a complex assignment ahead of you (i.e., a research paper, oral presentation, writing assignment with multiple constraints, etc.), it’s normal to worry that you might not be able to complete it. You might think to yourself, “I’ll never be able to do this, it’s way too much work!”
 
If this happens, focus on one step at a time. This is where SMART goals come in:

• S: Specific
• M: Measurable
• A: Achievable
• R: Realistic
• T: Time-based

Break things down into smaller, clearly defined steps rather than one huge task. Each little step will help you achieve what initially seemed impossible. You’ll see, it’s a great way to stick with it. You’ll also feel more proud of yourself!

Here’s how SMART goals work:

1. Break a large project down into several smaller projects, or if possible, try splitting a large assignment into several smaller assignments. This way, instead of having a whopping two-hour assignment to do, you can focus on several 30-minute tasks.
2. Plan your work by organizing each step in a logical order. The tasks can be done over the course of several days or even weeks.
3. Think about how to manage your time and decide what tasks you’ll do on certain days. Try to limit each work period to ensure they aren’t too long.
4. Acknowledge your good work. Did you write an awesome paragraph? Did you finish half of your smaller tasks? Way to go!
5. Don’t hesitate to reward yourself for your hard work. Take some time to read a book you’re currently enjoying, play your favourite game, hang out with your friends, get some fresh air, etc.