Time management is the ability to…
plan and use your time wisely so you can get things done efficiently.
Why time management is important:
Time management is important because when done right, it has many benefits ranging from increase in daily productivity, better work-life balance, improved focus, refined quality of work, and most importantly decrease anxiety and stress. [6]
What Happens When Your Time Management is Bad?
Poor Time Management leads to detrimental effects on both the person and how they organize. Poor time management will almost certainly sacrifice the quality of your work and how fast you get it done. Having poor time management can lead to stress, poor cooperation, and poor working relationships [8]
The Pomodoro Technique is all about working in short bursts so you don’t burn out. You work for 25 minutes, take a quick break, and repeat. It sounds simple, but it actually helps you stay focused way longer than just trying to grind for hours straight. [3]
Creating a Calendar for yourself with all of your upcoming deadlines, exams, lifts, and social events allows you to see what’s coming up and prepare for it so you aren’t caught off guard. Keep your Calendar in a place you can see it every day whether it’s on your Phone, Computer, or just on your Wall. Some Calendar Options Include; Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, or a physical calendar. [1]
For smaller tasks such as completing homework for a class, to make sure that no task is missed even if they may be on the calendar. This can be done by setting an alarm, writing in a planner, or adding an alert to the digital calendar such as google calendar. [1]
Time blocking is when you plan your whole day ahead of time and give every task its own time slot. Instead of just having a list, you actually decide when you’re going to do each thing. This helps a lot because you don’t waste time thinking about what to do next, you just follow your schedule. It also helps you focus more since each block is meant for one task only. [4]
Multitasking might feel like you’re being productive, but it actually makes things worse. When you switch between tasks, your brain has to reset each time, which slows you down and makes it easier to mess up. Focusing on one thing at a time (sometimes called “single-tasking”) helps you finish faster and do better work. [5]
Limiting distractions just means setting yourself up so you can actually focus. Things like your phone, notifications, or social media can pull your attention away without you even realizing it. A good way to fix this is by putting your phone on silent, turning off notifications, or working in a quieter space. When you have fewer distractions, it’s way easier to stay focused and get your work done faster. [7]
You can always use a planner too. Planners can help you keep track of long-term deadlines, such as important Essays, Exams, Club Events, and meetings. They provide a daily, weekly, and monthly overview so you can always stay ahead. [1]
Prioritization is basically just figuring out what actually matters and doing that first instead of wasting time on small stuff. A lot of people get busy but not productive, and this helps fix that. One popular way is the Eisenhower Matrix, which helps you separate important tasks from things that just feel urgent. [2]
[1] Harvard Summer School. “8 Time Management Tips for Students – Harvard Summer School.” Harvard Summer School, 14 Oct. 2022, summer.harvard.edu/blog/8-time-management-tips-for-students/#1-Create-a-Calendar.
[2] Asana. “The Eisenhower Matrix: How to Prioritize Your To-Do List.” Asana, 29 Jan. 2025, asana.com/resources/eisenhower-matrix.
[3] Scroggs, Laura. “The Pomodoro Technique — Why It Works & How to Do It.” Todoist, www.todoist.com/productivity-methods/pomodoro-technique.
[4] Todoist. “Time Blocking — Your Complete Guide to More Focused Work.” Todoist, 2024, www.todoist.com/productivity-methods/time-blocking.
[5] Gordon, Sherri. “How Time Chunking Makes You More Productive.” Verywell Mind, 18 Sept. 2023, www.verywellmind.com/how-to-use-time-blocking-to-manage-your-day-4797509.
[6] University of Pennsylvania. “Mastering Your Schedule: Effective Time Management Strategies for Success | Penn LPS Online.” Lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu, 9 May 2024, lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu/features/mastering-your-schedule-effective-time-management-strategies-success.
[7] Evgeniou, Andrew. “Overcoming Digital Distractions in Online Learning: Tips for Focus and Productivity.” Unicaf – Scholarship Programme, 19 Mar. 2025, www.unicaf.org/overcoming-digital-distractions-in-online-learning-tips-for-focus-and-productivity/?ut. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
[8] Rosier, Jack. “The Effects of Poor Time Management | IHasco.” IHasco, 2020, www.ihasco.co.uk/blog/effects-of-poor-time-management.