Time Management Strategies with Academic Planners

If you're struggling to implement and stick with time management strategies, you're not alone. Research shows that 82% of people do not have a dedicated time management system. Unfortunately, the stress of not having enough time can distract you from your work, studies and make you less productive. How do you know what to focus on without a system in place?

Reaching for an academic planner brings structure to your day. Here's how to use yours as part of your time management strategies for success.

Get Motivated by Completing a Few Small Tasks

If you're struggling to get work done, try tackling some smaller tasks first. Starting with your biggest tasks could lead to overwhelm and the feeling you'll never finish up your list. Answer a few emails, order new school supplies, and drop off paperwork to start your day feeling immediately productive.

Batch Your Tasks During Your Zone of Genius

Take personal inventory of your time and energy level throughout your day. You probably already know when you feel the most productive and complete the most work. Whether it's first thing in the morning or mid-day, save your focused time for your most significant tasks that require the most effort.

Jot down all of the tasks that require the most focus and schedule them for the time of day you feel like your best self. Presentations and highly engaged meetings with parents are not the tasks to tackle when you're low energy or feeling tired. 

Employ Time Management Strategies for Time Voids

We all have tasks that suck away our time and energy. Those tasks could include grocery shopping, meal prepping or cleaning the house. Although necessary, they can usually be left for the end of the day or when everything else is complete. 

Employ time management strategies that account for every area of your day, including time wasters. Schedule them in when your core work is done, but your energy isn't waning just yet. You could also consider hiring out tasks that take away from your earning hours. Adding a time to order Instacart to your Academic Planner, hiring someone to prep or make meals, or scheduling a house cleaner are all ways to maximize your time. But unless you plan it into your weekly routine, you're unlikely to make it a consistent habit.

Make it Visual

If you're struggling to get engaged with your Academic Planner or remembering information, consider changing up ink for different tasks. Research shows that color-coding your notes helps your brain retain the information. Adding a flourish, paperclips, or stationery stickers also makes valuable information stand out and command attention.

Factor in Downtime

Your time management systems should also include time to relax. Our brains are not equipped to work and interpret information all day. Schedule some time for a short walk, coffee break, or chat with a friend. Your mind will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the next item in your Academic Planner.

Commit to Your Time Management Systems

There's only so much your time management systems and academic planner can do without commitment. Perhaps the simplest way to commit is by making time management a habit. According to research, it takes an average of 66-days to turn something into a habit!

Make it a goal to keep up with your new processes every day for over two months to turn it into second-nature. By the time your month is up, you'll feel like a pro at managing your time and living a more productive life.

Next Steps

Ready to commit to time management strategies that work with the help of an academic planner? Shop our Paper & Plan collection now to organize your day with efficiency and style.