10 answers
ella
Student
Ellicott City, Maryland
3
Questions
Asked
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How do I manage my time better?
What is the best way to manage your time? I am a student athlete and I play 2 high school and 2 club sports. I currently have a 3.6 gpa which is good but I feel stressed all of the time during the sports season because I feel like I never have time to study or get homework done. I am also a very social person so on top of all of that I want to spend time with my friends outside of sports and school. How can I manage my time better?
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10 answers
Heather Stivers
Admin/HR Sup
22
Answers
Kissimmee, Florida
Updated
Heather’s Answer
Hello there!
Juggling your time efficiently, particularly with a busy timetable like yours, may appear challenging, but it's absolutely achievable! Here are some friendly pointers to guide you through the process:
Rank your tasks: Begin by pinpointing the most crucial items on your to-do list, such as homework or studying, and address those first. It'll assist you in staying ahead of the game!
Design a timetable: Constructing a weekly or daily timetable can make a real impact. Allocate specific times for studying, sports training, socializing with pals, and all the other exciting activities you're involved in. Try your best to stick to it to maintain a smooth flow.
Utilize a planner or digital calendar: Keeping tabs on everything is a piece of cake with a planner or a handy calendar app on your mobile. It'll assist you in staying organized and ensure you're always on top of things!
Divide tasks into bite-sized pieces: Large tasks can be intimidating, so split them into smaller, more manageable parts. Believe me, it'll make the job seem less daunting!
Master the art of saying no: While it's great to participate in numerous activities, it's crucial to recognize your boundaries. Don't hesitate to decline additional responsibilities if you're feeling overburdened.
Maximize your downtime: Take full advantage of those brief free moments between classes or training sessions. Use them to catch up on reading, revise notes, or simply take a moment to relax!
Maintain order: Keep your study materials and sports equipment tidy and accessible so you can locate them quickly when needed. A clutter-free environment can really boost your focus.
Look after yourself: Last but certainly not least, remember to prioritize self-care! Ensure you get plenty of sleep, eat healthily, and stay physically active. Looking after yourself will keep you energized and ready to face whatever challenges come your way.
By adhering to these tips and striking a balance between school, sports, social activities, and personal time, you'll be mastering your time management in no time. And remember, it's perfectly fine to seek help or make changes as you go. You've totally got this!
Juggling your time efficiently, particularly with a busy timetable like yours, may appear challenging, but it's absolutely achievable! Here are some friendly pointers to guide you through the process:
Rank your tasks: Begin by pinpointing the most crucial items on your to-do list, such as homework or studying, and address those first. It'll assist you in staying ahead of the game!
Design a timetable: Constructing a weekly or daily timetable can make a real impact. Allocate specific times for studying, sports training, socializing with pals, and all the other exciting activities you're involved in. Try your best to stick to it to maintain a smooth flow.
Utilize a planner or digital calendar: Keeping tabs on everything is a piece of cake with a planner or a handy calendar app on your mobile. It'll assist you in staying organized and ensure you're always on top of things!
Divide tasks into bite-sized pieces: Large tasks can be intimidating, so split them into smaller, more manageable parts. Believe me, it'll make the job seem less daunting!
Master the art of saying no: While it's great to participate in numerous activities, it's crucial to recognize your boundaries. Don't hesitate to decline additional responsibilities if you're feeling overburdened.
Maximize your downtime: Take full advantage of those brief free moments between classes or training sessions. Use them to catch up on reading, revise notes, or simply take a moment to relax!
Maintain order: Keep your study materials and sports equipment tidy and accessible so you can locate them quickly when needed. A clutter-free environment can really boost your focus.
Look after yourself: Last but certainly not least, remember to prioritize self-care! Ensure you get plenty of sleep, eat healthily, and stay physically active. Looking after yourself will keep you energized and ready to face whatever challenges come your way.
By adhering to these tips and striking a balance between school, sports, social activities, and personal time, you'll be mastering your time management in no time. And remember, it's perfectly fine to seek help or make changes as you go. You've totally got this!
Andrew Cheung
Project Management
30
Answers
Santa Clara, California
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Hi Ella,
Good question.
- Time is a precious resource and you need to give yourself some time to relax and hang out with friends. You may want to revisit your priorities and decide if leaving 1 club sports or High school sports is ideal to give yourself time for friends and school.
- Related to first point. Learn how to say no politely. We only have so much time and energy in a day and some activities or events need to be declined to maintain a good life/school balance.
- For time management, keep a to do list or use an App to track what you need to do for that day /week. I use an excel version for work and have written one as well.
- Reduce distractions. If you need to study/do homework, shut off/silent your phone and study in 30-45 sessions with 5-10 minute break. This is called the pomodoro method/technique.
- Find a study group. This combines the social aspect and gives you chance to study/reinforce concepts in class. Also, you can meet to prepare for tests or to do projects.
- Reduce time on social media/texting if you are spending over 2 hours or feel exhausted checking constantly. This is a huge time waster and you can try setting aside 20-30 minutes a day to check instead of checking periodically throughout day. Face to face interactions are important and if you are on Twitter/Facebook or texting, you could be talking to them in person instead.
Good question.
- Time is a precious resource and you need to give yourself some time to relax and hang out with friends. You may want to revisit your priorities and decide if leaving 1 club sports or High school sports is ideal to give yourself time for friends and school.
- Related to first point. Learn how to say no politely. We only have so much time and energy in a day and some activities or events need to be declined to maintain a good life/school balance.
- For time management, keep a to do list or use an App to track what you need to do for that day /week. I use an excel version for work and have written one as well.
- Reduce distractions. If you need to study/do homework, shut off/silent your phone and study in 30-45 sessions with 5-10 minute break. This is called the pomodoro method/technique.
- Find a study group. This combines the social aspect and gives you chance to study/reinforce concepts in class. Also, you can meet to prepare for tests or to do projects.
- Reduce time on social media/texting if you are spending over 2 hours or feel exhausted checking constantly. This is a huge time waster and you can try setting aside 20-30 minutes a day to check instead of checking periodically throughout day. Face to face interactions are important and if you are on Twitter/Facebook or texting, you could be talking to them in person instead.
Rian Alam
Student
139
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Rian’s Answer
Hi Ella
I would recommend using a planner to help manage your time. You can find a bunch of free planner apps, or you can purchase a real one. I'd recommend whenever you get an assignment, to put the date that it's due onto the planner so that you don't miss anything. Similarly, I would recommend creating to-do lists for each day, making sure to prioritize assignments due earliest. Given your hectic schedule as a student-athlete, you may also try creating a schedule on google calendar, where you can block out when you have your practices, and can see where you tiem to study and block that out.
I would recommend using a planner to help manage your time. You can find a bunch of free planner apps, or you can purchase a real one. I'd recommend whenever you get an assignment, to put the date that it's due onto the planner so that you don't miss anything. Similarly, I would recommend creating to-do lists for each day, making sure to prioritize assignments due earliest. Given your hectic schedule as a student-athlete, you may also try creating a schedule on google calendar, where you can block out when you have your practices, and can see where you tiem to study and block that out.
Kate Gondar
1
Answer
Updated
Kate’s Answer
Balancing academics, sports, and a social life can be tough, but using a tool like TMetric can help you prioritize and manage your tasks efficiently, ensuring you stay on top of your studies while still enjoying your other activities. By tracking your time, you can identify where to focus your efforts and make room for the things that matter most to you.
Katie Jacobs
Strategy Consultant
8
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Hey! First of all, it is awesome you have so many things going on for you! It is great that you are involved in many activites in and out of school.
Managing time when you have multiple responsibilities can be challenging, but here are some strategies to help you:
Prioritize tasks: Identify the most important and urgent tasks and focus on those first. Use techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on their importance and urgency.
Create a schedule: Plan your day or week in advance by creating a schedule or to-do list. Allocate specific time slots for each task or responsibility to ensure you stay organized and on track.
Set realistic goals: Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals. This will help you stay motivated and make progress on multiple responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed.
Delegate and outsource: If possible, delegate tasks to others or consider outsourcing certain responsibilities. This can help free up your time and allow you to focus on the most critical tasks.
Avoid multitasking: While it may seem efficient, multitasking can actually decrease productivity. Instead, focus on one task at a time and give it your full attention before moving on to the next.
Practice time blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time for different responsibilities or tasks. This helps create structure and ensures you dedicate focused time to each area of responsibility.
Learn to say no: It's important to set boundaries and learn to say no when necessary. Prioritize your commitments and avoid taking on additional responsibilities that may overload your schedule.
Take breaks and practice self-care: Remember to take regular breaks to rest and recharge. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is crucial for maintaining productivity and managing multiple responsibilities effectively.
Remember, everyone's situation is unique, so it's important to find a time management strategy that works best for you. Experiment with different techniques and adjust as needed to find what helps you stay organized and productive.
Managing time when you have multiple responsibilities can be challenging, but here are some strategies to help you:
Prioritize tasks: Identify the most important and urgent tasks and focus on those first. Use techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on their importance and urgency.
Create a schedule: Plan your day or week in advance by creating a schedule or to-do list. Allocate specific time slots for each task or responsibility to ensure you stay organized and on track.
Set realistic goals: Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals. This will help you stay motivated and make progress on multiple responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed.
Delegate and outsource: If possible, delegate tasks to others or consider outsourcing certain responsibilities. This can help free up your time and allow you to focus on the most critical tasks.
Avoid multitasking: While it may seem efficient, multitasking can actually decrease productivity. Instead, focus on one task at a time and give it your full attention before moving on to the next.
Practice time blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time for different responsibilities or tasks. This helps create structure and ensures you dedicate focused time to each area of responsibility.
Learn to say no: It's important to set boundaries and learn to say no when necessary. Prioritize your commitments and avoid taking on additional responsibilities that may overload your schedule.
Take breaks and practice self-care: Remember to take regular breaks to rest and recharge. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is crucial for maintaining productivity and managing multiple responsibilities effectively.
Remember, everyone's situation is unique, so it's important to find a time management strategy that works best for you. Experiment with different techniques and adjust as needed to find what helps you stay organized and productive.
Melissa Gonzalez
Accountant
2
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Melissa’s Answer
When it comes to handling your time, it's crucial to keep things in order of importance. It can seem quite daunting when you're faced with a never-ending list of tasks you need to complete, not to mention the additional things you'd love to do. I've discovered that sorting tasks by their importance and urgency can make the situation feel a bit more manageable. Once you've got your tasks sorted, don't hesitate to ask for a helping hand. If the list seems too much to tackle on your own, feel free to call on your friends and family. No one needs to do everything alone. And remember, it's okay to turn down some tasks and give yourself a pat on the back for the tasks you do manage to complete.
IBM Employee Impact
59
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
IBM’s Answer
There is not a magic poison, but there are signals that sound like an alert. It's not a mistake to be tired but you must put yourself in the condition to enjoy what you do. So create a list of all your tasks and prioritize !!
I'm not a fan of tools and apps to keep all under control but if you like technology and have a managed schedule why not choose one.
Take time for your family and friends when you feel it's the right moment and be proud of all the things you are doing.
Read famous authors of the previous centuries, all the way back to the great authors of the Roman Empire and ancient China and India
Learn about other cultures
Spend more time with people than with your digital device!
I'm not a fan of tools and apps to keep all under control but if you like technology and have a managed schedule why not choose one.
Take time for your family and friends when you feel it's the right moment and be proud of all the things you are doing.
IBM recommends the following next steps:
IBM Employee Impact
59
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
IBM’s Answer
Firstly, it's fantastic to see your involvement in team sports. Participating in such activities cultivates crucial soft skills that will be beneficial for your future career. It encourages the development of goal-setting abilities and the knack to collaborate with diverse personalities to overcome challenges and achieve common objectives. It's vital to acquire these skills while maintaining a focus on your academics.
The most valuable suggestion I can offer is to maintain a balanced skill set, but be careful not to overcommit to numerous extra-curricular activities like team sports or clubs. If you find yourself struggling to juggle everything you've committed to, consider options like tutoring or group study sessions. These can provide support in areas that might require more time for comprehension or completion.
The most valuable suggestion I can offer is to maintain a balanced skill set, but be careful not to overcommit to numerous extra-curricular activities like team sports or clubs. If you find yourself struggling to juggle everything you've committed to, consider options like tutoring or group study sessions. These can provide support in areas that might require more time for comprehension or completion.
IBM Employee Impact
59
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
IBM’s Answer
There are no technical problems, only people problems! We have all the technology we need and will have more in the future. Your struggle will always be in dealing with people and helping organize human effort. There are problems that some very smart tech people have trouble solving, because their education neglected what we call "the Humanities". The "Humanities" are things like literature, history, philosophy, and religion. Life is nowhere near as straightforward and clear as technical issues are. That's why we have "fuzzy" notions like "the Humanities". People always tell you, "You can't add apples and oranges," but that's really what we do all day as human beings in a mysterious world that is always bigger than our knowledge!
Read famous authors of the previous centuries, all the way back to the great authors of the Roman Empire and ancient China and India
Learn about other cultures
Spend more time with people than with your digital device!
IBM recommends the following next steps:
IBM Employee Impact
59
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
IBM’s Answer
Hi! Try to not procrastinate. Use all your time to the fullest and use technology to help. I fully believe that someone who is involved in sports, activities and clubs and is able to keep good grades will be successful in anything they put their mind on. Being able to handle the stress of schedules and deadlines and time management will prepare you for life's challenges.