Time Management Strategies for Students: Tips that Actually Work – Part 1

It’s 2am, and you’re surrounded by textbooks, empty energy drink cans and a research paper that is due in six hours… sound familiar?

If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, you’re definitely not alone! We’ve all been there. Time Management is an important skill that you’ll need to master in school and beyond!

Here’s what nobody tells you: time management isn’t something they teach you in school, but suddenly everyone expects you to be good at it. One day you’re living at home where a lot of things just happen magically, and the next day, you’re trying to figure out how to fit grocery shopping, assignments and a social life, all into 24 hours.

It can be very overwhelming.

But managing your time doesn’t mean you need to have a colour-coded calendar (unless that’s what works for you). It just means figuring out what systems work best for your actual life.

Why Time Management Feels Impossible For Students Today

Student Life – The Perfect Storm

You have a lot on your plate right now. You’ve got classes with different assignment schedules, professors who all think their class is your top priority, friends who want to hang out with you and family checking in. And maybe even a job in the mix as well.

Then there’s all that stuff that comes with living alone – figuring out when to do laundry, remembering to eat proper meals and keeping your living space livable.

On top of all that, your phone buzzes with notifications every few minutes, your favourite streaming app is always ready with ‘one more episode’ and social media keeps sucking you down the rabbit hole.

It’s the perfect storm.

Time Management Myths

Let’s bust some common time management myths:

I work better under pressure. If this was true for most people, then procrastination wouldn’t exist. While some people do get a burst of energy when a deadline looms, the work you produce in that panic isn’t usually your best work. Plus, the stress is terrible for your health. 

Multitasking makes me more productive. It’s difficult for your brain to focus on two complex tasks at once. What feels like multi-tasking, is actually task-switching, and every switch takes extra time and brain power. You’ll actually get more done faster if you focus on one thing at a time.

I just need to find the perfect planner/app. Have you ever spent more time researching the perfect productivity system than actually being productive? The best system is one that you will use consistently, even if it’s just a simple notebook.

Core Time Management Strategies 

The Big Picture

Before you manage your day-to-day time, you need to see the entire semester so there are no surprises. 

At the beginning of each semester, spend some time looking at all your class syllabi and writing down every major deadline – exams, papers, projects and assignments. Put them all on one calendar, whether that’s a wall calendar in your room, your phone or a basic planner. 

This helps you plan ahead and avoid those moments that can derail your entire month. When you see the busy periods coming, you can plan around them.

Break Everything Down

That 15-page research paper feels overwhelming because your brain sees it as one massive task. The key is breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks that you can spread over time.

Here’s how you can break down the paper:

• Step 1: Choose topic and find sources
• Step 2: Create a detailed outline
• Step 3: Write introduction and first body paragraph
• Step 4: Write two more body paragraphs
• Step 5: Write conclusion and revise
• Step 6: Final proof read and formatting

Now, that overwhelming paper becomes six manageable steps and you’ll feel productive each time you complete one.

PRO TIP: Check if your school’s website has an assignment calculator. Many schools offer this tool that automatically breaks down large projects and gives you specific due dates for each step. Just plug in your assignment details and a final due date, and it creates a timeline for you.

The Two-List System

Everyday you probably have a long list of things you could potentially do. But realistically, you can only complete 3-5 substantial tasks each day without burning out. 

Make two lists: your ‘must-do list’ with real deadlines, and your ‘want-to-do list’ with things that would be nice to get done. Be thoughtful about what goes on your must-do list. If something doesn’t have a deadline in the next few days, it should probably go on the want-to-do list. 

This helps you focus on what really matters, instead of feeling guilty about all the other things you didn’t get to.

About the Author
Shirley Reichberg, BA, BEd, OCT, is an Occupational Therapist and OCT-certified educator with almost two decades of classroom experience. As the Director of Executive Function Coaching at The Red Oak Centre, Shirley is dedicated to helping students build organization, time management, planning, and task prioritization skills —tools that foster both academic achievement and personal growth.