March is usually known as a midterm season where many classes assign an exam, a project, or other assignments to check in around halfway into the semester. In the last couple of weeks, I had exams and group projects. It becomes especially important to stay organized and on top of your assignments and other non-academic work. Time management is a skill that I have been working on and have become a lot better compared to my freshman year. However, I get a lot of help from the apps and other resources I use to help me with time management and not fall behind on any assignments. I will share a few resources I use to keep my work organized as well as resources available on campus!
1. Planners
Planners are the traditional way to go and it is reliable. You can jot down your to-do list for each day and use stickers to keep it fun (my planner came with a bunch of stickers!). I like to fill in my planner weekly. On every Sunday, I sit down and jot down important events and assignments for the coming week so I get an overview of what my week looks like. Then, each day, I fill in with a daily to-do list. It also feels satisfying to cross off from the to-do list in my planner!
2. Google Calendar (other similar apps)
To complete my to-do list for the day, I like to take advantage of technology. I use Google Calendar the most. I like to fill in my day with the items on my to-do list by dedicating a certain time for each assignment. For example, I would create an “event” named Calc HW 9 and set the event time from 10-11 am. This helps me keep myself accountable for all my assignments by allotting a certain amount of time for each assignment. It also helps me create a realistic to-do schedule. Additionally, Google Calendar is a great tool for setting reminders for big assignments such as exams and finals. I set a reminder for myself to complete the project or begin studying for an exam, so I do not forget about it or find out the night before. Google Calendar is not the only app out there. There are also various similar apps that help you organize your to-do list. I recommend searching for different apps and finding one that works for you the best.
3. ARC tutor
Tufts offers Time Management tutors to its students. You can sign up for a tutor like you would for a subject tutor. I have not used this resource; however, I have heard many great experiences from others. The Time Management tutors help you come up with strategies that work for you to help you become better at time management. If you are having a difficult time with time management and using apps and planners are not doing the trick, it might be helpful to make an appointment with these tutors!
Time management is an important skill to have in college and beyond. It can become challenging to juggle school work, non-academic responsibilities, and other commitments you may have. Therefore, planning out your day and using these techniques may help you stay on top of your assignments and other responsibilities!