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Time management with studies - study techniques
This topic focuses on time management, an essential aspect to improve productivity. Our perception of time is often misleading, leading us to believe that we have more than we actually have. As a result, we tend not to finish our responsibilities and are unable to properly estimate the time it will take to complete each task.
Below, we will present the key points on this issue, with the aim of providing you with useful tools to optimize your study system and make better use of your time.
One of the most important things to take advantage of your time is to know, on average, how long it takes you to perform each task. Most of our daily activities are repetitive and mechanical, which means that they usually take a similar amount of time as long as the conditions are the same. For example, in student life, this could apply to reading articles.
Try timing how long it takes you to read 20 pages of a book. If, for example, it takes you an hour to read those 20 pages, you can estimate that reading 60 pages will take you 3 hours, or reading 10 pages will take you half an hour. Thus, if you have to write a report based on 80 pages, you will know that you will need about 4 hours to read them completely, something that you might not have considered before and that could have led to starting the task too late.
This example illustrates a very common measurement technique both personally and professionally. Knowing how long each activity takes you is key to organizing your performance, as you should not only plan your studies according to the number of tasks, but also according to the estimated time each one will take you.
The human brain tends to seek the path of least resistance, something that comes from our ancestors, who needed to reserve energy for dangerous situations. As a result, we tend to be easily distracted by simple, less demanding activities. It is common to be tempted to check your cell phone, watch an episode of your favorite series or call a friend before you start studying.
To avoid these distractions, get in the habit of rewarding yourself only after you have completed your homework. If you want to watch a movie, use it as a reward for finishing your work, not as an excuse to procrastinate.
We have already mentioned the importance of measuring the time each task takes and rewarding yourself at the end. Now it's time to talk about how to plan your schedule.
Schools and jobs have a predefined schedule, you don't arrive at class or work without knowing what you have to do. The same goes for studying: you must be disciplined and create a clear and rigorous schedule for your study sessions.
NES: If you have time to spare, use it as part of your reward. The key is that, by knowing how much time you need for each task, you can plan both your study time and your breaks.
By applying these three strategies, you will find it easier to value the time you have and improve your time management.
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