Time is a major factor in whether or not a student succeeds or fails in his or her studies. Even more so when it comes to PhD studies, where students are already of an adult and productive age, and must often balance their studies with family, economic responsibilities, and work.
As a result, it is essential to have a time management strategy that will assist in achieving goals and, most importantly, to remain consistent and not lose focus during difficult times.
The following time-saving strategies are effective:
1. Eliminate the "time thieves".
Time thieves are factors that consume time in an indiscriminate manner. We can develop a strategy to reduce them as much as possible if we identify them.
WorkMeter, a company dedicated to human resource management, points out that time thieves reduce the number of actual working hours by between 50 and 70 percent, affecting concentration and attention levels, and causing delays of between six and nine minutes each time you fall into them.
What elements or situations could we categorize as time thieves?
● Interruptions. It takes a few minutes for us to fully recover our concentration after each interruption.
● The phone. We will lose our concentration and time if we interrupt a priority task to answer the phone.
● The email. Setting a timer to check and respond to emails is the best strategy.
● Meetings. Attend only the most important ones that add value. Remember to plan ahead of time and set goals to ensure that you get the most out of your time.
2. Prioritize your tasks
Remember that not all tasks are equal in importance, so begin with those that are most important; what is less important can wait.
Determine your peak performance of the day and schedule the priority topics for that time.
3. Be realistic with deadlines
It is not a good idea to plan beyond our capabilities. As a result, structure the work carefully and always leave room for unforeseen events.
These tips will be useful for the rest of your life because they will allow you to maximize your time in all aspects and be much more efficient.
Don't forget to set aside time for recreation and exercise!