Introduction

This page provides tips and techniques for managing your time and staying organised.

Watch: Time Management and Organisation

A video presented by Marie from HELMs. Learn how to effectively manage your time, apply practical organisation tips and techniques, and understand the importance of these skills in your academic, professional, and personal life.

Mastering Time Management:

Why Time Management Matters:

Time management is a vital skill for HE as it directly impacts academic success, personal wellbeing, and future employability. With multiple deadlines, classes, jobs, social and family commitments, you'll need to learn to prioritise tasks and use your time effectively to avoid stress and burnout.

By mastering time management, you are likely to gain:

Greater productivity and focus
Reduced anxiety through better planning
Improved academic performance
Stronger self-discipline and independence—key traits valued by employers

Key Elements of Time Management:

Goal Setting: Defining short- and long-term objectives to stay motivated and on track.
Prioritisation: Identifying what matters most using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix or ABC method.
Planning and Scheduling: Using calendars, planners, or digital tools to allocate time wisely.
Avoiding Procrastination: Recognising distractions and building habits that support consistent progress (see the Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator video in Additional Resources below).
Reflection and Adjustment: Reviewing what works, learning from setbacks, and refining strategies.

Additional Resources

For more information, view the additional resources below:

Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator | TED (YouTube) - This video will be used as a task in our note-taking module so feel free to watch it in the next module. Tim Urban explains procrastination as a conflict between rational planning and instant gratification, resolved only by last-minute panic.
Pomodoro Technique - Try the Pomodoro Technique to increase productivity.