You may be rich, or you may be poor. There is one way, however, in which all people are created equal: Everyone has exactly 24 hours a day. Yet some people pack more into 24 hours than other people do into a month, while others get straight A's despite having plenty of free time. Successful students are not necessarily brilliant. They may simply have mastered the twin arts of time management and goal-setting.
Brainstorming
Spend some time brainstorming, advises California Polytechnic State University. Write down any desires that come to mind, without worrying about whether they are practical or attainable. When academics are involved, try to think beyond a target GPA, although there is nothing wrong with setting a target grade. Think about what you would most like to learn, for example. Imagine your desire coming true as vividly as you can. If that makes your heart beat faster, it will probably provide you with a lot of motivation. At the end of your brainstorming session, categorize your goal statements.
Goal Definition
Break your goals into short-term, medium-term and long-term objectives. Create mini-goals that will get you from where you are to where you want to be one step at a time. If you want to learn to play the piano, for example, specify how you are going to get access to a piano, a teacher and tuition funds. List your strengths and weaknesses, and modify your goals by taking them into account. For example, if you have a short attention span, break study sessions into a series of short increments. At this stage you should also eliminate unrealistic desires from consideration. The process of goal definition is what turns a wish into a plan.
Prioritizing
Setting priorities is an important aspect of time management, according to author Christine Louise Hohlbaum, writing for "Psychology Today" magazine. When prioritizing, focus not only on what is most urgent, but also on what is ultimately most important to you. This will help you spend the most time on what will benefit you in the long run. It will focus your time so you're not constantly "putting out fires" when important projects become overdue because you ignored them in favor of less important but more urgent matters.
Dealing With Distractions
Distractions come in many forms, notes Hohlbaum. One form is requests from others, so you're going to have to practice saying "no" more often. You should also focus on one task at a time, so each task does not distract you from another. Identify your specific time-wasting temptations, such as e-mail and social networking, and carve out a specific, reasonable block of time to engage in these activities.
Health
A car cannot run without fuel and maintenance, and neither can your body. It has been said that "A woodcutter does not lose time by sharpening his saw." Take the time to sleep well, work out, meditate and shop for healthy foods. When your body is working well, your mind will follow. You might find that spending two hours a day taking care of your health will allow you to get more done in eight energetic hours that you could have in 10 hours with a worn-out body and mind.
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