Effective Time Management for Students

One of todays buzz words is feng shui, which stands for peace and harmony. Many young people today embrace this philosophy. However, achieving harmony might seem impossible to college students who often have to juggle work and school. They may not realize that their personal time management can actually help them achieve a state of balance and harmony.

To ensure balance, student workers have to be absolutely committed to what they are doing. If not, working at a job and trying to do well in school can add tremendous amounts of stress to their lives. With proper time management, however, there is no reason why young student workers cant effectively manage both work and school.

One of the key elements to time management is an understanding between the student, and the professors. This understanding is that the student is going to school and working. This will allow professors to offer more options to the student worker to get their tasks done. In class, proper note-taking is critical and the student should read and have a working knowledge of the syllabus. Studying at the last minute really isnt an option. Studying can be done in class, before class and on the way to work if public transit is an option. Otherwise, studying can be accomplished on work breaks and over a cup of tea before bed.

When looking for a job, the student needs to seek out a sympathetic, flexible employer in case class goes into overtime, or an unexpected project is assigned to them. Most employers of students are really accustomed to this. They can adjust to the students schedule if necessary. This will save both employer and employee a lot of stress in the long run.

Finally, living a healthy life is very important. Proper sleep is a must. Living on caffeine is a myth; it will only last you for a little while. To beat fatigue, arise 15 minutes early and take a vigorous walk and have a shower. Its amazing how just a small bit of exercise can refresh a physically and emotionally tired body. Also, lets not forget todays technologically advanced world. Most students have cell phones that come with a calendar feature to keep the busy student worker balanced and on track. Additionally, most students today are computer literate, some even carrying laptops. Use your computer to help create a list to prioritize your tasks. This will help ensure that you successfully balance your job and school while doing your best at both.

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Here’s a great audio of some effective time management techniques that will help you manage your time more effectively.

Have a listen and discover how to create a manageable schedule for yourself.

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Time Management for Freelancers

People working regular hours in a company often feel like they barely have enough time on their hands. It often seems as if their personal life suffers, thanks to work hours and the daily commute. The desire to spend more quality time with loved ones is one of the reasons why people opt to work from home or become freelancers.

Freelancing is very popular nowadays, because it allows people to earn money their own way from the comfort of their own homes and still lets them have enough to time to spend pursuing their interests. And it does seem like an ideal setup. It always amazes people how freelancers work and are able to set their own hours. However, this setup can only work if the freelancer really sticks to a daily schedule.

If youre a freelancer, you know that working at home has many perks. Not only are you working in a place in which you’re really comfortable, but you are also avoiding traffic jams on the road. It offers plenty of distractions, though, from countless chores you might think of doing, errands you will need to run, your bed which will invite you to take a break and get some sleep, and of course, TV. How can you possibly have time to work? The key is proper time management and settling into a routine.

1. Have your to-do list ready. This will give you an idea what activities you will need to do for the day.

2. Make a daily schedule. Sound too much like going to an office? You’re going to need it if you’re freelancing. Allot time for errands, chores, exercise, and work. Since you’re working from home, you’re free to run errands and get them out of the way before you start working. That way, you can focus on your tasks. Allow yourself an hour for exercise or a walk just to relax and regroup. Scheduling your work hours will keep you organized and prevent you from working late into the night finishing projects you were unable to complete during the day.

3. Wake up early. If you wake up at noon, half your day would have gone past and with it your chance to finish some of your tasks. It can also be a problem if your clients contacted you in the morning. Waking up early means you have more time to do everything at hand and gives you time to unwind at night.

4. Don’t work at night. All your loved ones are usually at home in the evenings and it’s the best time for you to really spend time together. Don’t let your work get in the way. Besides, working at night could wear you out and leave you too tired to tackle the next day’s projects.

5. Don’t stay out too long. Naturally, you wouldn’t want to stay inside your house all the time. You would want to catch a movie, do a bit of shopping, visit the library, or eat out for lunch. The key is moderation. Don’t stay out longer than you should. If you have a project due that day and you start hearing your conscience telling you to get back to work, just do it. Imagine how much more fun you can have when a project is all wrapped up!

Being a freelancer may seem like youll be living an easy life, but it actually takes a lot of work. You may have more freedom to take on assignments youre really interested in, but it doesnt necessarily mean that you have a lot of free time. Enjoy your new working hours, but dont forget that you also have work to do. Managing your time wisely can help you strike the perfect balance.

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