Time Is Ticking: Make Every Hour Count

By Leonard Divine

It is already the third week of lectures. Why does it seem like time is flying? That is because that is how time works. You cannot save it, rewind it, or stretch it. You just have to manage it well.

If there is one thing every student has in common, it is this: 24 hours in a day.
Yet, some students seem to be everywhere — attending classes, leading organisations, making good grades, keeping up with friends — while others are constantly catching up. The difference is simply time management.

Time is one of the most powerful resources we have at university. And truth be told, university life can be pretty exciting and at the same time distracting. Learning to manage your time well could be the determining factor in your grades, school activities and even relationships.

For some students, it seems like they have everything covered. They are able to navigate school activities without much difficulty and even combine them with extracurricular activities. While for others, the time is never enough. They miss deadlines and always lose track of time.

Whatever category you fall into, this article provides tips on how you can both manage time like a professional and at the same time thrive in your academics.

Prioritise the most important tasks
No matter how cliché this sounds, it is one key to managing your time well. Not everything should get your attention. Know what truly needs your attention. Use a planner or an app to list your weekly goals and allocate time blocks for them. This makes it easier for you to take note of what you need to do and how best you can achieve them within the allocated time.

Always allocate a time frame to any important activity. It will go a long way in ensuring that you do not lose track of time or spend too much time on a particular task. For instance, you can set a time frame for activities like eating, studying, resting and so on. You can set fifteen minutes out of your time to eat, one hour to study and dedicate an hour for miscellaneous purposes.

Break huge tasks down
When a task seems huge, it is best to break it down into smaller chunks. Do not try to do too many things at once. Break them down. Set a time frame for finishing up these tasks and reward yourself after completing them. When tasks pile up — let us say an assignment or a project — it becomes easy to procrastinate and you may end up not completing it.

Use wasted or extra time wisely
If you suddenly find yourself with extra time or you spend less time than you planned completing a task, use that time wisely. Waiting in a queue? Walking to class? You can use that time to review your notes, listen to a podcast or plan your to-dos. Small pockets of time add up. Every minute counts, so use it wisely.

Resting is not a waste of time
Allocate adequate time for resting. It is not a waste. It is simply time invested in better focus. You are able to accomplish more tasks when you are well rested than when you are stressed out. Do not glorify burnout. Sleep well. Take breaks when you need to. At the same time, do not overdo it. Spending all your time or an entire day resting is not a good use of your time.

Avoid the social media sinkhole
Be honest — how much time do you really spend scrolling? Social media could be a barrier to effectively making good use of your time. It may seem harmless at first. You could be browsing for a homework or school project and then stumble on an aesthetically pleasing post, and suddenly you are mindlessly scrolling through the internet for the next two hours. Then you catch yourself and wonder how you got carried away so easily.

It is better to stay away from social media when working on a task, especially if you get distracted easily.
Less disturbance will enable you to complete a task faster.

Get apps like Digital Wellbeing or Screen Time to help you track and reduce your social media use.

It does not always feel serious at first. One missed class. One rushed assignment. One late night that turns into a week of exhaustion. But over time, wasting your hours can leave you feeling stuck — academically, socially and even emotionally. You lose rhythm. You lose momentum. And sometimes, you lose confidence.

Especially for freshers, this is the best time to build habits that will serve you throughout your academic journey. For staylites, it is never too late to reset and realign your goals.

Whether you are a fresher adjusting to new routines or a seasoned staylite trying to stay afloat, poor time management can quietly sabotage your goals. Missed deadlines, exam stress and last-minute projects — it all adds up.

On the flip side, good time management gives you clarity, control and a calm mind. You are able to navigate schoolwork with a sense of ease and walk into classes feeling confident.

Balance is key
Proper time management will help you prioritise your goals and at the same time help you not to neglect any part of your life. You are more than a student — you are a person. Make time for relationships, rest, hobbies and personal growth.

So this semester, let us not just count our days. Let us make our days count.