
Do you plan to utilize the time for study after each lousy experience in the exam hall BUT ALWAYS FAIL? Dealing with such nightmares? If yes, this article is for you!
Knowing how to utilize time for study is essential, whether you are a school/college student or preparing for any competitive exam. For this, first, you must be dedicated to maintaining the routine no matter what happens. Be smart; use tools like a planner, timer, etc., to keep you on track. Remember, once time is gone, it is gone; you can never get it back. So, if you don’t want to regret it in the future, tighten your seat belt right now!
I have outlined some guidelines in this article to help you utilize time best. These tips and strategies are taken from my personal life dealing with studies and tight schedules. And I guarantee you the effectiveness of each of these tips. So, let’s begin-
Importance Of Time Management for Study
You won’t believe how proper time management can affect your study and overall lifestyle. These will help you perform better academically and lead to a disciple’s life. Here is the importance of time management in studies-
- Organizes your study and daily routine
Planned time management lets you break large tasks into small portions. So you can complete big and hard chapters with ease. This makes your study organized to bring the most out of it. Not just for studies, it also creates a good impact on other activities of your daily life.
- Enables you to complete lessons faster
When you learn time management, you can schedule your daily activities for the best output. This helps you divide your subjects and allot a time slot for every topic. Thus, you can complete your lesson faster and focus on other activities for self-development.
- Reduces your stress
Once you are confident enough about your studies, you feel stress-free. No matter when your exam is or how hard the subject is, you always remain prepared to face it. This brings positivity to your life, and thus you can enjoy your life to the fullest.
- Better academic performance
The ultimate result of maintaining a planned schedule brings you excellent academic performance. You can score better in your exam and build your career and future with full focus.
- Maintaining a disciple life
When you manage your study routine effectively, it will surely lead you toward a disciple’s life. This is because when you attempt a planned study routine, it includes adequate sleeping time, healthy food habits, exercise, recreation, and more. All of these make you lead a disciple lifestyle!
How To Manage Time As a Student? 12 Time Management Tips
Students have to go through a busy schedule all day. If you are a student, you know how tiring the days are. Start your morning by attending school, going to tuition, completing homework, participating in extracurricular activities, and more. And then comes the pressure of exams, assignments, presentations, and whatnot!

You often fail to manage your time for daily study in this busy schedule. But nothing to get depressed about as you are not the only one facing this issue. Most students fail to organize them unless they know how to utilize time for study. So, here I bring you 12 time management tips and strategies for students. Follow them, and you will never fail to manage your time for study-
1. Maintain A Calendar For Your Study Plan
Being a student, you must maintain a calendar to keep your study routine organized. Mark the exam dates on it or your assignment submission dates. This will encourage you to complete your studies and assignments on time. Besides study schedules, also mark any special activities or off days in your calendar. For example – if you are going on a vacation or going out of studies for some reason, note this in the calendar. Later, this will help you create a more impactful routine to overcome this study gap.
Always keep the calendar in such a place where you can check it daily. The best spot would be the wall in front of your desk or study table. Set this on the bed corner table if you find it effective. However, if you want to use digital calendars, that is also ok. But make sure it doesn’t distract you while studying. For instance, don’t keep scrolling Facebook for hours as you take your phone to check the calendar. Below I have listed some options for you-
2. Set Reminders, Stay On Track
Imagine your assignment/report deadline is tomorrow, and you completely forgot about it! Studying, analyzing, and creating a lengthy report of 10,000 to 20,000 words is not a game. So, if you don’t want such nightmares, setting a reminder is essential. This will alert you about the upcoming deadlines of your projects, assignments, presentation, or reports. Besides, you can also set reminders for other activities rather than just studies. But how to set reminders? Here is my suggestion-
- Set mobile alarms with the task name. Even if you are outside, it will alert you about your upcoming deadlines. Thus, keep you on track.
- You can also use apps with reminders via email, missed calls, or notifications. But having the regular alarm on your phone is enough for reminders.
- Write the daily task or reminders on a bright neon sticky notepad, and paste them at a location where you won’t miss watching out. It could be your study table, door, mirror, or even refrigerator door. Just hang it where you can’t but notice the fact that you have a task to complete!
3. Break Tasks into Smaller Steps
Attempting long lessons at once can leave you stressed. And the best solution here is to divide your study or activities into small sections. This will simplify the task, relieve you, and organize your daily routine. For example, divide the syllabus into small sections if you have a social science exam tomorrow. Read the easy chapters at first. Prepare for multiple choice questions, short questions, and then move to the broad questions. Once you finish these chapters, go for the lessons you find difficult. Now that you have reviewed all the chapters, it’s time for revision. In this way, part your syllabus into small sections for better results.
4. Create a Personalized Schedule
Every person has a different life-leading pattern. And adjusting your study schedule with your lifestyle and habits is important to get the best outcome. For instance, some students prefer early morning study, which has been scientifically proven to be the best time for studying. Yet, this may not work for you. You may feel too sleepy waking early in the morning. In this case, late-night study is what you might prefer. Even I love to study at night rather than early in the morning. Morning study was never my thing! It might sound sarcastic, but even three gallons of coffee can’t energize me to sit at the study table at 5 am!
Though I have tried a few times to build morning study habits, it backfired every time. Eventually, I ended up sleeping again, which killed my time. So, rather than being influenced by others’ schedules, I decided to plan my own. And you should do the same. What worked for your friend doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you!
5. Avoid Multitasking
Multitasking may seem cool, but this will impact your work productivity. Doing multiple activities creates greater chances of mistakes that mess up your work. So, concentrate on a particular task at once. If you are watching a movie, finish it first or skip it before heading to your study table. Don’t take your books and plan to study and watch the movie simultaneously. If you do this, firstly, your lessons will go over the head. Secondly, you won’t be able to enjoy the movie. So, the end result is zero. That is why avoid multitasking and focus on your study properly. This will not only help you to complete your studies faster but also let you remember for longer.
6. Eliminate Distractions
Are you tired of the screaming of your younger siblings while you study? Get a noise canceling headphone or listen to white noises. This will help you read attentively without getting involved in a chaotic environment.
However, at present, too much involvement in social media is one of the main reasons for being distracted from studies. You can probably relate the incidence of getting distracted from studies just by a notification from Instagram. To avoid such destruction, keep your smartphone away before sitting for studies. Another thing you can do is turn off your internet connection during study time. I have also faced these issues in my student days. Kept scrolling on Facebook for hours without minding the passing hours. To avoid such issues, I researched and found some excellent phone-locking apps-
These applications detect and lock your mobile/apps automatically when you cross use limits. This will help you to avoid distractions.
7. Use Tools To Organize Your Routine
Studying all day may not be fruitful if you don’t do it in an organized way. You surely have multiple subjects to study. Besides, I can feel the pressure of homework and assignments that you go through. So to manage your routine well, you should use tools that will keep you organized.
- Planners: For long-term deadlines, planners work best. For instance, your exam is by the month’s end; you have 25 days to prepare for it. Use a planning tool to divide your subjects and assign days or hours to complete your syllabus. The best option is to use digital planners like Papier or Plum Paper. The benefit of using such tools is that they provide an overview of your monthly planning. This helps you to monitor your performance and study process. However, you can also use a planning handbook if you don’t want digital tools.
- Note Taking: Taking hand notes is an integral part of studying though managing them is quite challenging. For instance, carrying all your notes isn’t possible if you are going to attend an exam outside the city. For this, digital note tools like- Notion, Evernote, or Bullet journals are of great help. You can have thousands of notes on your tablet or smartphone. If you want to carry some notes for frequent revision, this can significantly help.
- Scheduling: If you want to make a complete plan of your day hour by hour, a scheduling tool can be your best partner. You can use tools like- Asana, Trello, or Structured app to schedule your day.
8. Switch Up Your Setting; Try To Make Your Study Fun
The location and environment of your studying area matter a lot. Nevertheless, it depends on individual preference. For example- some like to study in bed or the library, while others are comfortable only at their study desk. You will also find students studying attentively in a crowded coffee shop. This depends on how your body and mind work. But studying at the same location for a long time can bring boredom. So, I suggest you change the location to avoid losing concentration.
Usually, most people prefer a soundless or noise-free environment for studying. But in some cases, you may try something quirky to keep yourself cheerful to continue long session studies. The one thing I used to do in my school life while studying was listen to music! This might shock you, and take this as bad advice. But it really worked for me, though I tried it only for math. Not that I am telling you to listen to music all the time when you study. Yet, it can help you to relax yourself a bit.
However, you can’t follow this for all subjects. When reading history, you can’t listen to music; this will divert your mind and create a mass. But what if you have done any particular math thousands of times before, and it is time for a revision? Now, you can turn your headphones on, get your calculator on hand and enjoy music while doing math!
9. Learn When to Say No
Hanging out with friends or roaming around is fun, but not leaving your studies. Your friends might plan for a tour while your exam is knocking at the door. Learn how to say no. You will often face such events, but you should understand what is good for you. I am not saying to isolate yourself and invest your full time in study. This is never the right decision.
In fact, getting isolated will make you depressed. All I am suggesting is to know the right time for everything. If you have enough time or are done with your study, go for an outing. It’s totally ok. But don’t skip the important aspects just for momentary pleasure. That is, know your preference and act accordingly.
10. Be Realistic In Planning Study Timing
When allocating time for your study, it is essential to be practical with time management. Don’t get overconfident in your ability to complete your studies within a fixed duration. The psychologists named this event ‘The Planning Fallacy.’ How long you will take to complete a chapter or lesson depends on many factors. For instance, revising a chapter won’t take much time if you have read it before.
Besides, your interest in the subject also matters. Completing 15 to 20 mathematical problems in 30 minutes can seem easy for you if you understand math. But understanding one page of organic chemistry may take you hours. Besides, the environment or concentration level also matters.
That is why, before you fix time for any particular subject, consider the above factors. However, you should include a buffer in your study plans. If you have learned the lesson before and are confident enough to revise it in the shortest time, yet allot 1-1.5X time with it. This will keep you on track, allowing you to maintain the schedule accordingly.
11. Give Priority To Your Mental & Physical Health
Don’t get sick devoting your full time to studying. Remember studying is a mental labor that needs support for your physical health too. If you get sick, this will directly impact your study. An unhealthy body will never favor the same mental condition to study as a healthy body will. So, keep fit and fine to keep getting the best out of your study. Here are some tips for you-
- Have adequate sleep
- Go for healthy foods and maintain a balanced diet; eat plenty of vegetables and fruits. Add almonds to your diet; it is good for your brain.
- Drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated.
- Exercise daily to remain physically active, and try yoga for mental peace.
- Don’t sit for hours at your study table. Give a short break and walk around for 2 to 5 minutes. This will break the monotonousness and refresh you.
12. Give Priority To Your Mental & Physical Health
Taking a break during your study will boost your productivity by many times. But you need to know when to take a break. You might face situations where you suddenly feel sleepy or can’t concentrate on studying anymore. This happens because your body warns you to take a break.
According to researchers, our body demands a break after every 90 minutes of intense work. This can be both physical and mental labor. And if you don’t give this break to your body, it sends you a signal making you feel tired, hungry, sleepy, or diverting your concentration. So, taking a break from your study every 50 or 90 minutes is always best. This may vary for individuals as we all have different attention-paying levels. But how long should you take a break, or what should you do during the break?
You can take a break for 10 to 25 minutes to refresh your mind and sit back with full energy. But here, the important part is to be aloof from doing anything that will prevent you from returning to your studies. For example, don’t sit in front of the TV and start watching movies. This will grab your attention toward it, and you will not feel like studying anymore. So, I listed some activities that you can do in break time-
- Grab a cup of coffee to feel energized.
- Prepare some snacks, maybe instant noodles, if you are too hungry.
- Take a power nap for 20-25 minutes; this works like magic to relieve your stress. Even if you don’t sleep, just close your eyes and lie on your bed.
- Get a warm shower.
- Spend time on your balcony to breathe fresh air or water the plants.
- Can take a short walk or have a chit-chat session with your family member
Time Management For Highschool Students
The students belong to the age group between 14 to 18, who are enrolled for secondary education fall under the high school category. At this age, you should be mature enough to make your own time slots or schedule. Yet you can get help from your parents or teacher to get you an ideal routine for proper time management. Here are some tips from my side, particularly for high school students-
- Practice waking up early to make enough time to complete all your tasks.
- High school students are fond of playing games. Make sure not to spend much time on online gaming. I suggest you install an app blocker on your phone or PC. So, when it is your study time, the device will automatically turn off.
- Maintain a calendar and follow it accordingly.
- Complete your daily homework just on time; don’t keep it pending for later.
- Create a practice of revising old lessons on vacations or off days.
Time Management For College Students
College students are sensible enough to maintain their daily routine and keep their studies on track. But most students at this level are involved in part-time jobs or other activities. This makes it difficult to manage time for study. For these college students or those who are at a higher education level, here are some time-management tips to follow-
- Keep some time in your hand for daily study. If you work after class, choose night or early morning for your study.
- Don’t get too involved in partying or hanging with friends. Know your priorities and learn to say no.
- Use digital notebooks to get in touch with your studies even when you are out. Noise-canceling headphones can also help you concentrate on studying in a chaotic environment.
Lastly, always try to maintain an organized lifestyle and create a habit of studying no matter where or how busy you are. The results will show its worth!
The Bottom Line
To sum up, time management is not just about planning and hanging a routine on your desk. You need dedication and passion to follow it. But in creating schedules, you need to be realistic. Keep in mind who you are and what your capabilities are. Don’t act like Superman being overwhelmed; this will eventually bring disappointment.
Use digital tools like planners, reminders, and notes to keep you on track. Even so, be careful with their uses. Don’t start scrolling Facebook on the second minute of reading your digital notes over the phone. To avoid such circumstances, I suggest you use an app blocker. Set auto-lock for particular apps like Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube that kill most of your time.
Be dedicated to your studies but maintaining good health is also important. So, be fit and use time in the best way possible to shine in life!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours a day should you study?
On average, you should spend at least three to four hours daily on your studies. But remember, all students don’t have the same ability to learn a lesson. Where your friend can complete a task in one hour, you may need three hours or more to do the same. So, first, know your position or capability before deciding how much to spend on the study.
Is it okay to use digital tools for study?
Yes, it is absolutely okay to use digital tools for study. It helps you to organize your schedules and reminds you about your daily tasks. But here you should be careful not to misuse the facilities. For example- don’t spend hours on Facebook while checking your study routine on your phone.
Which time is best for study?
According to science, the brain remains most active from 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 10 pm. So this time range is considered the best time for study. Yet, you should choose to see what works best for you.
How can you increase focus on studying?
To increase your focus on studying, ensure a suitable studying environment. Learn how to prioritize your tasks and make productive schedules. You should also keep yourself aloof from distractions. Besides, your sleep cycle also affects your concentration level. So, have adequate sleep, eat a balanced diet, and keep fit.
How can you motivate yourself to study?
Set clear goals and implement varying study techniques to keep yourself motivated. Make time to relax and go for a reward system for each accomplishment. This will always encourage you to be more dedicated to your studies.
Hi,
I’m Farzana, an experienced writer with a passion for business, home, fashion, and digital marketing. With over 5 years of experience, I craft engaging content that resonates with readers across diverse niches. From insightful business strategies to chic fashion trends and savvy digital marketing tips, I strive to bring a unique perspective to every piece of writing. Get ready to be inspired and informed as I take you on a journey through the worlds of style, home improvement, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation.