What Works for Us?
Friday Night DUE
Published in
4 min readApr 12, 2018
Maddie
what works for me:
- Whenever I get anxious about all the things that I need to do, I write down all my tasks on a sticky note and put it on my macbook, so that I am reminded of them tasks every time I open up my macbook
- I sometimes use reminders on my phone to remember to do certain things, I always set some sort of alarm to make sure I don’t forget about it
- I work in intervals, when I finish a big task, I take a break before I move onto the next task
- I use a reward-type system sometimes to motivate myself to finish something, I will tell myself I can watch something, or go get a coffee after I finish x,y,z
- I’m motivated by being able to check something off a list — seeing a list get shorter and shorter
outside research:
- Use to-do lists
- Focus your energy thoughtfully
- Limit Multi-tasking
- Review end of day/week
- Have a Large-scale and small-scale plan
- Identify your most productive time of the day
- Do the boring and hard tasks first
- Be realistic
- Prioritize
Stephanie
what works for me:
- I keep an academic schedule planner for the year and write down my assignments, homework, projects, meetings, upcoming quizzes and exams in my planner everyday. I check off the things that I have completed to keep me aware of what I still need to do. I also feel slightly accomplished when I physically check off the things that I completed.
- If I really have a lot of things that I have to do in the upcoming days or week, I would try to manage my time through planning what I need to finish in each time frame in a note page in my phone (Eg. studio hw — 12:00 to 14:30; Japanese hw — 14:30 to 16:00; Japanese quiz study — 16:00–16:30; Meeting — 17:00 to 18:00; Dinner — 18:00 to 19:00; etc). I would try to give myself a sufficient amount of time to complete all my tasks and plan out my time so that I would be able to complete everything I need to do.
- I workout in the gym sometimes or attend some of the group-x classes CMU offers, and have the habit of keeping record in my academic schedule planner and write down when i worked out/for how long. This helps me become aware about myself when I haven’t worked out in a long time and will try to allow time for myself to go workout when I can.
outside research:
- Time management is about taking charge, carefully, consciously, purposefully — not shrinking from difficulties, but engaging them.
- Advantages of time management have been highlighted by secondary data authors as being more productive, having more energy to accomplish tasks, feeling less stressed, possibility to pursue personal interests, getting more things done, relating to others in more positive manner, and feeling better about self.
- Eliminate distractions, be focused at the task at hand: Have you ever been so focused and devoted to what you are doing that time seems to have flown by? This mental state is called ‘flow’ — when you are completely immersed and involved in an activity. Flow actually makes you feel energized and motivated and increases enjoyment of the activity (not to mention being super-productive). To achieve flow, find a challenge, develop your skills, eliminate distractions, set aside enough time, set clear goals and focus completely on the task at hand.
- Use a calendar/planner/checklist and be organized: By listing your tasks and checking them off one by one once complete, it also gives you a sense of accomplishment to tick off tasks when completed.
- Scheduled rewards: You need to treat yourself when you do the right thing. Take a few minutes out of every hour to take a break and do something you enjoy, like go for a walk or watch some TV. The break will also allow your brain to relax and be more productive when you return.
- Get a good night’s sleep: A good night’s sleep is essential to make sure your body and mind is rested and fresh for the next day. It can be hard to concentrate if you didn’t get 7 to 8 hours of sleep in the night before. Pulling an all-nighter studying is less productive then consistent study.
- Citation1: https://www.apsi.edu.au/7-time-management-tips-students/
- Citation2: https://research-methodology.net/the-importance-of-time-management/
William
what works for me:
- I keep my full schedule on my phone with Google Calendar. I usually have notifications that alert me of upcoming classes and events 30 min. — 1 hour beforehand.
- I keep track of all my quizzes, meetings, and projects and write them down in a notebook.
- Occasionally I run around Schenley Park. Exercise really clears my head and helps my relieve stress for upcoming events.
- I need a to be alone or in a quiet place to do my work (individual work). I usually go to the library or stay in my room.
- I do most of my work at night or in the afternoon.
outside research:
- Have a way to keep track of your schedule/events.
- Balancing work and rest.
- Few people can successfully multitask. Better to do work in intervals.
- Get at least 6 hours of sleep every night. Preferably 7–8.
- Find methods that help you be more productive.
- Build time management skills early. Important for workplace.
- Time is money. Employers want to get their money’s worth out of each employee.
