5 Time Management Tips for Students Studying Abroad

We currently live in a global village and for several reasons, many learners have found themselves opting to study overseas. Studying abroad offers a great opportunity to explore outside the usual and above all, it helps students attain a quality education. That doesn’t mean that local educational institutions may not offer the training students need, but studying abroad nowadays offers an added advantage.

There are higher chances of being recruited in any organization of your choice back home with better pay. In addition, it helps learners discover career opportunities and enhance their network. Despite the 2020 pandemic bringing a sudden pause to students’ option to study abroad, the latest findings indicate that more numbers of students are embarking on the alternative again.

However, studying abroad doesn’t promise a smooth experience for all learners. Precisely, it comes with its own set of challenges. Many international students opt for part-time jobs as a way of meeting the high costs of studying and living in a foreign country. Apart from that, they are supposed to handle everything by themselves, especially those without an immediate supportive network like parents and relatives.

In the end, such students may fail to cope or perform as expected academically. It becomes worse amidst financial problems or when working part-time. Such challenges may leave a student battling poor time management. This piece details the best time management tips for students studying abroad which are;

1. Plan & Schedule Tasks

One of the best time management approaches utilized around the world are planning and scheduling tasks. There is always going to be a lot on a student’s platter and the best way is to plan and organize tasks.

First and foremost, identify and grade tasks according to their urgency and importance. The Pareto Principle is a reliable time management technique that any student can utilize to prioritize tasks. The principle requires one to list down all tasks and find a way of eliminating the unproductive ones.

The Pareto Principle was invented by Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian engineer, and economist. His principle asserts that 80% of the task’s outcomes are influenced by the 20% input. In the real sense, one doesn’t need to put in a lot to realize sizable outcomes or achievements. It is all about planning, organizing, and prioritizing tasks.

With that, a student should create a to-do list and identify strategies that can produce the desired outcomes. Listing down the tasks you have to do can help you allocate them as per the available time and urgency. This can help a student manage time better and escape the stress that comes with last-minute tasks. Remember, planning will always be one of the most important assignment writing tips.

2. Avoid Procrastination

One of the commonest poor time management habits among students is procrastination. The term procrastination refers to the habit of delaying tasks until the last minute. It should be noted that there are two forms of procrastination i.e passive and active procrastination. Active procrastination is when one delays tasks because working under pressure or limited time enhances productivity or motivation levels.

On the other hand, passive procrastination is when one delays tasks due to poor decision-making skills. They may find it challenging to plan and execute tasks within the available time. Findings show that procrastination is a common habit in students and affects them depending on the type of procrastinators they are.

It is essential for a student to execute tasks as soon as they come in to avoid rush hours and increased stress in the future. Putting a stop to procrastination is also an effective approach to self-improvement and proper time management. It not only helps to accomplish tasks easily but also helps to allocate more time to the most important tasks.

3. Leverage Tools

We live in a modern era and there are different types of tools that students can leverage for better time management. Most of these tools not only help students to better manage their time, but they also help to track productivity, grade tasks, and measure output. Apart from being reliable tools to track time, these tools allow collaboration between students.

These tools include Evernote, Edmondo, Trello, my Homework Student Planner, FlipGrid, School Frindzy, and Google Docs. Student life can be taxing, especially when doing a side job. Many times students end up forgetting about assignments and ever being caught amidst rush hours.

Time management tools are effective time management aids and can help students attain a classroom-work balance. For example, they will be able to plan when to handle assignments and rest. Leveraging tools can also help students to enjoy a smooth college experience.

4. Try the Pomodoro Technique

Whether full-time or part-time student, college life never guarantees a smooth road. There comes a time when assignments clutter beyond the available time. More so, the need to catch up with others in the case of the curriculum may seem challenging especially for working students. Without a competent strategy, this can lead to stress and anxiety for students.

However, you don’t have to wait for all that to happen. Try out the Pomodoro technique. It is a productivity hack that can help anyone manage tasks within the available time. The Pomodoro time management system requires a student to ascertain the available tasks and break them into 25-minute intervals with a 5-minutes break in between. The Pomodoros are referred to as intervals.

The technique also requires one to take a longer break after every four Pomodoros. The Pomodoro technique has shown great efficacy in the corporate world and it can also be used by students. It generally instills a sense of urgency which drives one to become more focused and determined to accomplish tasks without delaying them.

It also helps one to manage distractions and avoid procrastinating which are major hindrances to productivity and proper time management. Students can also leverage the Pomodoro technique to plan, grade and manage their tasks within the available time.

5. Get Enough Sleep

A healthy and empowered body and mind are in a better position to accomplish tasks timely. However, the opposite is true! A lack of quality sleep (at least 7 hours a night) is associated with a range of problems that can lead to poor time management or wastage.

Science indicates that poor sleep can cause mood changes, poor concentration, memory, irritability, and depression. A lack of quality sleep can also hamper productivity, causing one to spend more time on a task. It can also increase procrastination chances and poor classroom concentration.

With that, it’s essential for a student to get enough sleep every night in order to execute the net day’s tasks efficiently. In the long run, this can prevent stress, anxiety, and depression, which are common mental problems among college students.

Conclusion

We all have to battle with time every single day and poor time management is one of the biggest triggers of stress for millions worldwide. This piece highlights several time management tips for international students to leverage to attain an upper hand on time management. These are proven time management tips that can help anyone manage the available time effectively.

About Author

Jessica Robinson loves to write interesting and knowledgeable blogs regarding business management, education and life to satiate the curiosity of her lovely readers. Currently, she is serving as a content manager at the ‘Speaking Polymath’.