Manage your time

Effective time management relies on a variety of techniques, some of which you probably practise already. As a university student, you (rather than your parents or teachers) will need to take charge of how you spend your time on study and other activities, so that you can achieve the best possible outcomes.

University study is normally considered the equivalent of a full-time job (1 unit of study = approx. 10 hours of study per week), and you may need to re-prioritise your other commitments and develop new time management strategies. If you are struggling to manage your time commitments, book a consultation with a learning adviser.



Adjusting and managing your expectations

For some students, life is already full to the brim, and study is just one extra responsibility to add to an already burgeoning list of commitments. If that sounds like you, perhaps it’s not actually time management skills that you need! Rather, you might need to step back, and objectively assess your current life situation. Ask yourself: how much can I realistically fit into my life right now? If I want to prioritise study, do I need to set aside, either temporarily or permanently, some of my other commitments? Is it realistic to aim for perfection in my studies, when I’m also trying to do 100% in everything else? Is my chosen study load really feasible?

Recognising and living with your limitations and constraints is not a sign of weakness or failure. You might like to explore these questions in the company of an objective outsider, like a learning adviser, or with someone in your support network. An objective assessment of your capabilities at a particular point in time might save you from the unnecessary stress and overwhelm of trying to do too much. You’re not a superhero, you’re a human being.