Don't let Time run out!

Time is a finite resource.

Managing college, home, friends while aiming to do well in studies is not easy, especially in a medical college. No matter what, you’re always left with the same 24 hours in a day to check items off to-do lists, spend time with family and friends, and unwind. By planning ahead and using your time wisely, you’ll be able to accomplish more and enjoy added free time.

Follow these seven time management tips and strategies to ensure that you meet deadlines, are well prepared for exams, and have time for yourself while pursuing a medical degree.

1. Identify Time-Wasters and Set Goals -

It’s easy to get distracted. Pay attention to what draws your focus away from your studies and assignments.

Are you spending too much time checking social media?
Are you prone to texting and answering personal phone calls while studying?
Do you find that a lot of time has passed while you aimlessly browse the web?

No matter what is wasting your time, set a goal to not engage in that behavior during dedicated study time. Instead, use those activities as a reward for staying focused and accomplishing the tasks you set out to complete.

My phone was and continues to be my biggest distraction. What I used to do while studying was to keep my phone in a separate room, or switch it off. this way even if I wanted to check my phone I would be forced to complete the task at hand and then check it out.

Make a list of things to do. Identify time wasters. Set goals for completion.

2. Plan Ahead by Creating a To-Do List -

Identify what you need to do, and then prioritize the tasks based on when the assignment is due and how much time you need to complete it. This gives you a set plan for the day. Whether it’s just a list of priorities or a full schedule for the day, having a plan will ensure that you know what to do and when.

Unless there’s a pressing priority, it’s important to also consider what sort of work you’re in the mood to do.

Do you feel creative? You may want to prioritize working on a writing assignment.
Do you feel focused? You could spend the day studying for an upcoming exam.

Divide your list into things to do now and things to do later. Set due dates.

3. Tackle Small Tasks to Start -

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by large projects and big exams, and anxiety can make you want to procrastinate. Start with shorter, simpler to-do items and then move on to larger projects or assignments.

What can you complete in the shortest time and has the fewest dependencies?
What needs more time or is more complicated?

This was my go-to way to start prepping for exams. You cant start all at once, it just sets you up for failure. I would always take 2-3 days to go through the syllabus, make a list of what are the smaller topics, and finish them first. This way you also get a sense of accomplishment early on and this helps build confidence to tackle the bigger tasks.

Prioritize your list by what can be done in a few minutes and what will take longer to complete.

4. Only Do One Thing at a Time -

A University of London study showed that those who multitask see a drop in their IQ similar to someone who didn’t sleep the night before. If you’re trying to juggle multiple assignments and tasks, you’ll likely end up being less productive.

To combat the urge to multitask, ask yourself:

What are your most common distractions? (Email, social media, electronics, etc.)
Can you turn off the devices or applications?

Turn off any devices that you can. And no matter what, don’t switch to another task until the one before it is complete. This may be a hard habit to break, but it’s worth it.

Removing distractions takes discipline and practice. Do one thing at a time, and, if it helps, use a timer to schedule your focus time.

5. Establish Routines -

A set routine can also help you accomplish the things you need to do. Is your home quietest in the early morning? You may want to get in the habit of regularly using that time to study or read. The more often you do this, the less you’ll have to think about when you’ll accomplish the tasks you need to finish that day. This way you can easily manage your studies as well as take out time for your friends and family.

Establish routines around the busiest times of the day for you and your family.

6. Study in small Chunks of Time -

In college, the Pomodoro Technique used to be my way of studying. It helped me study in short intervals and take short, regular, timed breaks, or “Pomodoros."

For example, you might use a timer to work in 25-minute sprints, broken up by 5-minute breaks away from your table. Every fourth Pomodoro, I would take a longer break, like have lunch or bathe or simply watch TV!

Many Pomodoro apps are available on the play stores. Make good use of your phone :)

The Pomodoro Technique is great to finish off smaller topics.

7. Take Time Off -

It’s important to take time for yourself. Long study sessions or chunks of time working on assignments should be broken up with time away from screens or textbooks. You need to give your mind a rest.

Many scholars have studied the effects of meditation on reducing the effects of stress-induced conditions such as back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and insomnia. The National Institutes of Health gathered these studies and published them in “Meditation: In-Depth,” which includes one study that suggests meditation makes the brain’s ability to process information more efficiently.

Meditation can take place anywhere you can find a few minutes of quiet. Search for free meditation apps in your smartphone’s app store.

Check Out My Favourite Time Management Apps

To create and manage lists:

Any.do – This easy-to-use mobile app keeps your to-do lists and calendar in one central location and syncs between devices and platforms.
Remember the Milk – This is another fun mobile app that helps you manage to-do lists across multiple devices and users
Wunderlist – Organize and share lists and tasks, get reminders, and assign items to others with this user-friendly app.

To increase productivity:

Toggl – Use this free web-based time-tracking app to create tasks and then track the time you spend on them, so you can see where your time is going and adjust if needed.

To set goals:

Learn how to set SMART goals—those that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Take control of your time! spend it wisely :)

Bye,

Aakanksha