TIME AS YOUR FINAL BOSS: How to defeat it

Successful time management system during your studies

A degree programme offers the great advantage of being able to shape your own time largely freely: select seminars, attend lectures (or not), create a learning plan, take on a part-time job, volunteer, maintain old and new friendships – the possibilities are almost unlimited.

Yet this freedom also brings challenges with it: self-determined everyday life requires good organisation. This is not always easy, because the list of tasks often seems endless, and much is quickly forgotten. To disprove the cliché of the disorganised student, we have compiled some helpful tips for you. Choose one or two of them and stick with them consistently to develop a routine – because routines are worth their weight in gold and make life considerably easier:

1. The Time Checker

You should always keep this tip in mind: it is important to assess realistically how much time you need for a task. Avoid overwhelming yourself with overly high expectations of your time capacity in order to prevent stress. An additional note for your to-do list: note the estimated duration of each task in minutes in brackets next to it. This way you can plan more precisely how many projects you can manage in a day.

2. The To-Do List

Most people are probably familiar with a to-do list, but we'll explain it again for those of you who are complete chaos agents: a to-do list is a useful tool for task organisation in which upcoming activities, duties or goals are recorded in writing or digitally. It allows you to capture all tasks clearly, set priorities and increase your productivity. By systematically ticking off completed items, a to-do list promotes a structured and stress-reduced way of working. It helps you keep track so that no task is overlooked.

To make the system even more effective, structure your list into categories such as university tasks, household chores and other obligations. For digital management, numerous helpful apps such as "Structured" or "Todoist" are available, which can help you not only in creating the list, but also in time planning and reminders.

3. The Priority Polish

Some tasks require faster action and need to be completed straight away. That's why it can be helpful to order the points on your to-do list by urgency and work through them accordingly. This way you prevent, for example, late submissions and ensure that you allocate sufficient time for the most important tasks.

4. The Buffer

A buffer is the additional time you add to a time estimate to better cushion unforeseen delays. Buffer times are useful for all types of tasks and particularly helpful when creating timetables. For example, if you estimate a task to take two hours, add a buffer of 30 minutes. This way you plan a total of two and a half hours and have enough time to meet deadlines with less stress and stay on time.

5. The 3-Minute Magic

Simple: tasks that can be completed in less than three minutes should be tackled straight away. This creates quick wins, reduces the number of items on your list and boosts your motivation. By completing small tasks immediately, you create more space for the larger and more complex ones.

6. The Power Break

Particularly on long and stressful days, breaks are essential. Instead of working through everything in one go, it makes sense to take regular short breaks to catch your breath and get some fresh air. A quick visit to the café between lectures can help clear your head and focus on other things. These little breaks not only promote your wellbeing, but also allow you to recharge, maintain concentration and boost your productivity.

7. The Appointment Titan

Believe us, a calendar, whether digital or analogue, is essential to keep all your appointments in view. Consistently enter all your commitments, from appointments to doctor's visits to lectures and café dates. This way nothing is left to chance. A well-maintained calendar helps you plan your time effectively, avoid stress and always stay on time.

8. The Memory Booster

Digital reminders as push notifications help you remember upcoming events in time. They are particularly useful for not forgetting important appointments.

P.S.: You can also use reminders to, for example, remember birthdays or other special occasions, so you can get a gift in time or make appropriate preparations to avoid getting stressed.

9. The Learning Guru

Effective learning saves time and is therefore crucial for good time management during your studies. To achieve this, it is helpful to find out which learning type you are. Frederic Vester classically distinguishes between auditory, visual, kinaesthetic and intellectual learning types. In addition to learning type, it is important to choose appropriate learning techniques. To do this, analyse which learning strategies have worked well in the past and learn from your mistakes.

A particularly useful method for efficient time use is the Pomodoro Technique: first formulate the task in writing and then set a timer for 25 minutes. Work with concentration until the timer rings, then take a 5-minute break. After four such intervals, take a longer break of about 20 minutes. This method makes it easier to get started with learning, promotes clear structuring of learning times and makes progress quickly visible through regular breaks.

10. The 1% Method

In his book "The 1% Method", James Clear describes how small habits can lead to great success. According to Clear, it is possible to change yourself sustainably through a daily improvement of just one per cent. Calculated over the year, this results in a 38-fold increase compared to the starting situation (1.01^365 ≈ 37.78). Small changes in your daily routine can have significant positive effects in the long term.

An example of such a small habit is to allocate 10 minutes daily for planning and prioritising your tasks. This regular routine improves your time management because you always keep track and structure your tasks better. Habits become automatisms that save energy and time. The combination of small habits and effective time management can help you achieve your goals more efficiently.

11. The Distraction Blocker

Social media is a popular distraction, but it can also cost a lot of time. When certain tasks are pending, you should focus on these, not on Instagram, YouTube or TikTok. An effective solution: put your phone out of reach, switch it to aeroplane mode or block certain apps, for example with the "Forest" app. These measures help you avoid procrastination and boost your productivity.

Now you definitely have a few ideas on how to optimise your time management. Test the tips in practice and stick with them consistently to achieve the greatest possible success. This way you not only have time for your tasks, but also for rest. Remember: bad days are normal too. What matters is getting up again the next morning and carrying on.