Time management

How to manage your time and gain autonomy

One of the biggest transitions at the beginning of a university degree is learning to plan your time and manage it on your own. Between lectures, assignments and deadlines, there is no one to spur you on to work or organize yourself. If you adopt the right habits, you will be less overworked and less stressed.

The calendar

Whether electronic or physical - the schedule is the most important tool in which you can summarize all deadlines for compulsory reading, exercises, presentations etc. It allows you to obtain an overview of the semester and prioritize your tasks according to deadlines.

Use a diary that suits you (paper, Outlook, phone, app, etc.).
Enter the dates for various deadlines (registration deadlines for courses, exams, assignments, university enrollment, etc).

Weekly schedule

The weekly schedule is useful in the short and medium term and allows you to visualize your availability for the coming week in relation to the tasks to be accomplished. The weekly schedule should include your class hours, your personal study time for each subject, your student job schedule, your private appointments and the time reserved for your leisure activities.

Identify your productive periods, i.e., the times of day when you are most able to concentrate, and reserve them for your personal study time
Be realistic in your planning and do not schedule too many tasks in a short period of time
Take regular breaks of about 5-10 minutes every hour

To-do list

The to-do list allows you to list the tasks that need to be done by subject and by deadline. By specifying the deadlines, you are certain not to miss anything and can prioritize better. It will also help you to better understand what the professor and the course expect from you. In order not to lose focus and to be efficient, do one thing at a time and complete each task before moving on to the next.

Break down each task into subtasks and list them by deadline
Fight procrastination with the Pomodoro technique to avoid putting off what you can directly accomplish in the moment

Recognize your chronotype

Chronotype is a person's own rhythm in relation to his or her preference and efficiency in performing an activity. For example, some people are very early risers and can be effective early in the morning. Others, on the contrary, may feel more energetic and motivated in the evening.

Knowing your own rhythm allows you to adapt your work periods in order to be more efficient.

Time for yourself

Organizing your time also means making time for yourself. Taking care of ourselves allows our brain to disconnect and be more efficient once rested and relaxed. It is utopian to be efficient during a whole day, therefore knowing how to take breaks is very important.

Tips

Class schedules and rooms are available on Timetable
Attend the first class of the semester and note the important deadlines for each subject
Set aside time for leisure, recreation, and socializing or your planning will not be realistic
Disconnect from your digital devices when you are focused on tasks and subjects horaires et salles de cours sont disponibles sur Timetable