Time Managment
October 2nd, 2023Like many students, this semester I am trying to figure out the best way to manage my time, and be successful in it.
This is my final quarter at OSU, and although I am excited to graduate there is a lot to juggle before that time. I am balancing a full time job, studying and applying for new grad jobs in software engineering (during what is shaping up to be a very competitive season), and of course doing my best to finish my last course with hopefully an A. There are also the normal life things that have to get done as well: grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, taking care of my dog, sleep and also things like exercise and some down time to prevent burn out.
This full plate I believe would be daunting to anyone, but I happen to historically be a procrastinator. I’ve realized that while procrastination hasn’t been the best use of my time, it’s been manageable for me in the past. I find I need the pressure of a looming deadline to get me started, and a sleepless night here and there would keep me on track. This quarter though, the full plate makes everything feel like a looming deadline. I am now managing a myriad of deadlines, which mean my life as a procrastinator needs to come to an end this quarter or I won’t make it. Procrastination is not for people with full plates.
After looking at some options I have decided to beat the procrastinator in me, I will utilize two popular time management techniques this quarter.
The first technique I will implement will be a personal kanban board as my to do list. This will help me visualize all the tasks that need to be accomplished that week. I’ve heard that marking things off a to do list releases dopamine, which helps to motivate us and keep us happy. This way I can give myself little hits of dopamine as I finish school and work tasks, as well as life tasks, like grocery shopping. Hopefully this will also prevent me from letting normal life tasks fall to the wayside.
The second technique I will implement will be the Pomodoro Technique. For those unfamiliar, the Pomodoro Technique is when you do sprints of time working (traditionally 25 minutes), take a small break between sprints (traditionally 5 minutes) and after a few sprints (traditionally 4) take a longer break, something like 30 minutes. I like this technique because it allows me to break up my tasks and get away from the computer. For instance, completing two sprints of homework followed by a sprint of cleaning the kitchen will help keep me moving. The longer break in between I hope will make sure I get enough down time that I don’t feel to stressed or burnt out.
I am curious if anyone else has tried this or any other time management technique in their life tasks! Let me know what worked for you! Here is to a great quarter!
