Time management tips & techniques
Good time management skills are essential for success at university.
Studying at university might be the first time you’ve had to focus on managing your own schedule. As a student, you’ll need to learn to juggle study, work, socialising, and ‘you’ time. The key to keeping up with all of these commitments is planning ahead. Organising your time usually has two hurdles: finding the time in the first place and then, using it properly. If you don't do the second, there is little point in doing the first.
Trying to organise your time usually has two hurdles: finding the time in the first place and then, using it properly. If you don't do the second, there is little point in doing the first.
See also
Planning on a weekly basis (short-term)
Finding time to study doesn’t always have to mean scheduling several hours at your desk.
While longer sessions are necessary for some tasks, you should learn to estimate how long various study tasks may take you. If you only have a limited amount of time available at a given moment, start a task you think you’ll be able to finish in the available time.
For example: Don’t try to read an entire chapter if you only have 30 minutes to spare. Aim to skim-read it to get an overview, and return for more in-depth reading later, or take on a smaller task, like checking the citations for an assessment.
Breaking down tasks this will also remind you that you won’t have time to complete assessments without starting early.
Suppose you have a 1,200 word essay task; you can break it down into:
- analysing the question and brainstorming the topic
- research (locating sources in the library which can take longer than you think)
- reading and note-making (the longer the essay, the more of this you’ll have to do)
- thinking time (your essay won’t just emerge from your reading)
- write a plan (indicate thesis and structure)
- drafting (you’ll have to produce more than just one draft of the essay)
- editing.
- Short (<1 hour)
- Medium (1-2 hours)
- Long (2+ hours)
Short tasks only take an hour or less to do; you can often get away with doing them during public transport journeys or even lunch breaks.
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- Reviewing lecture notes
- Completing short readings
- Previewing long readings
- Doing problems
- Revising for exams
- Jotting down essay plans
- Reflective journal entries
- Proofreading an assessment
Medium tasks take about an hour or two. Remember to take breaks as medium tasks usually require more concentrated study.
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- Detailed note-reviewing
- Reading for courses
- Taking notes from readings
- Drafting/editing an assessment
- Revising for exams
You’ll usually need more than 2 hours for long tasks, as they require deep focus. Make sure to take a small break at least every hour to avoid losing concentration.
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- Working on an assignment
- Completing an extensive amount of reading
- Doing research for assessments
- Revising for exams
Try out our Weekly Study Schedule templates
Using a term planner (long-term)
A termly or yearly planner reminds you of upcoming deadlines and commitments, and helps you keep track of your progress.
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- Place your planner somewhere you can easily access.
- Schedule in assessment and exam dates as early as you can.
- Work out how long you’ll need to complete each major task and add 'start' dates.
- Tip: Draw lines back from the due dates to your intended 'start' dates. Use different colour pens for different subjects, assessments or exams. This will cue you to begin working on tasks and help you visualise your progress.
- Leave room for extra workload - if you have several assessments due at the same time, you'll need to start each task even earlier than usual.
- 1. Optimise your study
- 2. Create time
- 3. Be realistic
- 4. Don’t overcommit
- 5. Set boundaries
The more effectively you study, the more time you'll save in the long run while reducing stress:
- Make the most of the time you do have. The idea that it's only effective to study if you have large chunks of time is a misconception. You can get a lot done in 30 or 60-minute chunks, so plan to use these times to your advantage.
- Take regular breaks. There will be times when you need extended study sessions, but studying uninterrupted for hours on end can be counter-productive for concentration. Don’t study for more than 45 minutes without taking a break.
- Work out your optimum study conditions. When, and under what circumstances, do you work most efficiently and how does study fit into your life? Be realistic - don't plan a 5am study session if you're not a morning person; likewise, if you’re asleep by 9pm, don’t try to study after dinner.
- Avoid perfectionism – you don't have time to make every single assignment perfect. It’s good to aim high, but don’t risk burning out.
- Start work on assessments well before they are due. You might have two or more assessments with the same due date, so leaving things until the last moment is not recommended. It’s hugely stressful, and the results are rarely optimal.
- Set a regular time for ongoing tasks. If you have a term-long assessment that requires a weekly activity or entry (such as a reflective journal or forum), set a fixed time each week to complete it. This will prevent a 'log jam' at the end of term when you’ll have other assessments due.
Time becomes a limited commodity as you take on more responsibilities, so use it efficiently:
- Use travel time to your advantage. Study while you're on the train or bus – listen to lecture recordings, review your lecture notes, do some reading.
- Try your local council library for study sessions. They might have resources that you can use and their catalogue will probably be searchable online too.
- Time 'moveable' assessments wisely. Most assessments have unmovable submission dates, but some, like rostered tutorial presentations, are more flexible. When choosing a particular slot, take into account the timing of your other assessments.
- Do some life admin when you’re on campus. Run errands during your breaks between classes. ¼ has medical clinics, pharmacists, a post office and other retail nearby. Make the most of your proximity to these services.
- Make time for life outside university. Once you begin studying, there may be some commitments you’ll have less time for. But try not to get rid of leisure and exercise - these are important for your wellbeing.
A lot of time management is really about taking responsibility for your work, so you need to set realistic goals:
- Calculate how much actual time you have, or could find, for your studies. Although there are 24 hours in a day, not all of those hours can be used to study. After removing time for sleeping, eating, shopping and so on, you'll arrive at a number that represents the 'real time' you can spend studying.
- Recognise that different tasks require different amounts of preparation time. You can't produce well-researched and written work unless you give yourself enough time to think, research and write. Start your assessments early on.
- Remember that your timetable is only a plan. Unforeseen things can happen, and some weeks will be busier than usual. If you miss a planned study period, don't stress - look at the schedule, rearrange your time and catch up.
- Attend lectures or at least listen to them online. Although missing a lecture may seem like a way to save an hour, it may actually lead to many hours of extra work later in the term. Skipping lectures is a false economy!
- Don't rely on extensions. An extension isn't a ‘get out of jail free' card. It will get you through a single emergency, but the extra day or two will eat into time that needs to be spent on your other assessments.
Good time management can't save you if you overcommit.
For example: If you study full time, spend more than about 12 hours per week working for a job and spend every evening at the gym, you won't have much time left to study.
Before you undertake study, assess all other demands on your time. Consider:
- paid employment
- family obligations
- domestic responsibilities
- sport, leisure
- volunteer or civic commitments.
If you suspect you might have taken on too much, reassess your commitments, prioritise and compromise.
If you have any particular concerns about balancing study and other commitments, speak to a .
Studying at university usually brings changes to priorities and routines, and it can also bring changes to relationships.
Family and friends might not be entirely happy when study becomes your new priority, especially if you’ve put them first in the past. Suddenly you’re less available and this can be a source of tension. Don’t feel guilty about the time you spend studying – your loved ones will survive. Set boundaries with family and friends until they get used to your student role:
- Help the people in your life understand that your studies are important to you. Let them know the benefits of education, which may include your happiness and wellbeing, your future career and employment prospects.
- Ask your household to respect your at-home study times and avoid interrupting you. Share your timetable with them so everyone knows when you won’t be available. Close the door and hang a “Do not disturb” sign as a reminder.
- Make your family and friends feel included in your academic journey. Let them know how much work you have to do. Tell them what you’re learning about. Encourage questions and communication.
- Let your loved ones know how they can best support you. For example, you might need a quiet space at home, quiet time for study, a meal prepared for you, or you may want to go out and relax.
You’ll need to be especially prepared if you have children. Try to:
- Study at a regular time so they become familiar with your routine and make it part of theirs too. Explain the importance of what you’re doing to them and how the family will benefit from it.
- Plan well ahead for your peak study periods. Sort out activities to help keep your children occupied, because if they aren't occupied then you will be.
- Consider setting your own early deadlines for assessments - at least a few days before the actual deadlines. A week or so of breathing space will keep you prepared for unexpected interruptions.
- Schedule time at your university or local library to separate some of your study time from your home environment.
- Consider getting some childcare for occasions when you just have to get things done. For example, when you are studying for exams or when you are trying to meet a deadline, prearrange some time away from the kids.
Sometimes, when you get caught up in your studies, it's also easy to completely lose sight of your family and friends, and even yourself.
To prevent this, be sure to:
- schedule regular time with your family and avoid relying on spontaneity
- catch up with your friends during breaks
- plan leisure time for yourself throughout the week to help you relax without guilt.
Taking the initiative to schedule time for socialisation and leisure lets you draw boundaries without sacrificing your relationships.
Is procrastinating a problem? Identify what’s keeping you from being productive and overcome it.
You might procrastinate for different reasons to your peers or even different reasons for each of your tasks. It’s important to recognise why you’re procrastinating, so you can address the problem at its root.
Are you:
Overwhelmed & anxious?
“I’m overwhelmed and anxious! There is so much to do. I don't know where to start or if I can do it.”
If you feel this way, you’re not alone. If everything feels overwhelming or is making you anxious, try these steps to avoid ‘freezing’ and continue making progress to your best ability:
- Acknowledge and identify the feelings of being overwhelmed or anxious. Then acknowledge that It's okay to feel that way!
- Break up your task into smaller, achievable chunks so you’re not worrying about a huge, daunting pile of work.
- Set priorities. List all your tasks in order of importance and urgency, and work through them one at a time.
- Make a start. Even writing a few sentences can reduce your anxiety about a task, help you make progress and increase your confidence.
- Practise persistence. Start by putting in a solid half-hour of work. Next study session, try for 35 minutes. Slowly building persistence will help you feel more competent and capable (and you'll increase your productivity too!).
- Take a break after ticking off a few tasks.
- Set a goal and a reward at the same time. For example, aim to complete a task that you’re dreading, then reward yourself when you get it done.
Distracted?
“I’m distracted! I keep doing other things and putting off my task.”
There are different types of distractions that will compete for your attention, and they might not always be easy to identify as distractions.
Clearly unproductive distractions
When you’re distracted by a TV show or YouTube, ‘doomscrolling’ on social media, chatting with friends etc., you’ll definitely know you’re being unproductive. To avoid this:
- Zone out these types of distractions.
- Silent your phone and leave it in another room, or download an app that discourages you from opening your phone while studying.
- Close social media sites, streaming services and other distracting sites.
- Hang a ‘Do not disturb’ sign on your door and put on earphones or earplugs to block out external noise or conversation.
- Reward yourself when you meet your goals for a study session, but only if you’ve been focused.
Daydreaming or drifting off
When you sit down to study but find it hard to focus on your work or constantly think of other things, you might not realise that you’re distracted. To prevent this, make sure to:
- Check in on your own energy level and concentration.
- Take a short break or do some exercise every hour.
- Open a window to let some fresh air in.
- Stay well-fed and hydrated – avoid skipping meals and keep a water bottle with you. Dehydration and low blood sugar will reduce your concentration.
- If you drift off, try visualising a red stop light. Hold that image for a few seconds, then switch to a green light and get back to working.
Creating busy-ness
You might put off working on a task you need to do by opting to focus on irrelevant tasks, like chores, or lots of unnecessary ‘preparation’ which still feels productive. Remember, this is still a distraction. To actively fight this and be productive with studying:
- Make a 'to do' list in order of priority.
- Set firm goals for yourself and set specific timeframes to complete them with rewards (starting with short term goals is the easiest).
- Be conscious of what you're doing. If working on an assignment is your priority and you catch yourself just heading off to quickly wash the car, ask yourself: "Why am I doing this now?”. Plan to do it after you reach your study goal.
Bored?
“I’m bored! I have no interest in what I need to do.”
Lean in, not out. If you’re bored by a particular topic, challenge yourself to find something of interest. The more you learn about a topic, the more interesting it can become. Review your motivations and choices. If you're bored in general, maybe it's time to ask yourself why you're studying what you’re studying. If you’re feeling like you 'have' to study, make sure that your goals are your own. You might find some of our resources on motivation and goals helpful. For more immediate motivation:
- List all the benefits to getting your task done.
- Then, list all the difficulties keeping you from completing it.
- Compare the two. Use the benefits list as your motivation and try to find a solution to each item on the difficulties list.
If you’re still struggling to find motivation, reach out to someone who’ll understand: a friend, a tutor or even a . Chances are they’ve felt the same way you're feeling. What did they do? Ask for some advice!
A perfectionist?
“I’m a perfectionist! I'll never finish because what I'm doing will never be good enough.”
The need to perfect everything can actually stop you from getting anything done. High ideals and exacting standards can bring you success in the right contexts. However, it’s important to remember that you’re undertaking a task in order to complete it, so your work on it will need to have an endpoint!
Identify what the task requires for satisfactory completion and let this guide you instead of aiming for perfection. If you think (or know) that perfectionism is a real problem for you, check out our .
If you’re worried you won’t produce reasonable results in the time given, consult your lecturer or tutor, or get advice from an Academic Learning Facilitator.
More about procrastination
Need more comprehensive guidance?
The Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) offers self-paced modules about understanding and overcoming procrastination and .
Further reading
Covey, S. 1990, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Simon & Shuster, New York.
Field, D. Gilchrist, G. & Gray, N. 1989, First Year University: A Survival Guide, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
MacQueen, C. 1998, Getting Ahead in Tertiary Study: A Practical Guide for Business, Social Science and Arts Students, ¼ Press, Sydney.
Northedge, A. 1990, The Good Study Guide, The Open University, Milton Keynes.
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