If you need to create more hours in a day than the 24 given, listen up. We’ve got 11 tips that should help you do exactly that!
How many hours do you have in a day? If you are like most people, you probably wish you had more. It can be tough to fit everything in, especially if you have a busy job or a full class schedule (or both).
But it is possible to create more hours out of every day. In this blog post, we will share 11 tips that will help you make the most of your time. Follow these tips and you will be able to accomplish more than ever before!
1. Make a plan
It’s a familiar story: You find yourself with too much to do and too little time to do it. However, with a little bit of planning, you can create more hours in your day.
The key is to prioritize your tasks and focus on the most important ones. Make a list of everything you need to do, then rank the items in order of importance.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to start crossing items off your list. Begin with the most important tasks and work your way down.
If you find yourself constantly running out of time, try scheduling specific times for certain tasks. For example, if you know you need to answer emails daily, set aside 30 minutes in the morning. By taking a few minutes to plan each day, you can create more hours in your day and get more done.
2. Set priorities
Time is a precious commodity, and there never seems to be enough of it. However, one way to create more hours in the day is to prioritize your time.
This means taking a close look at your schedule and determining what is truly important. When you know what your priorities are, you can make choices about how to spend your time accordingly.
For instance, if schoolwork is a priority, you may decide to cut back on your work hours or skip social events in order to spend more time at home studying. By setting priorities and making choices based on those priorities, you can create more hours in the day for the things that matter most to you.
3. Delegate tasks
One of the most important things you can learn as a college student is how to delegate tasks. Whether you are trying to juggle a busy class schedule, a part-time job, and extracurricular activities, or you are simply trying to make time for yourself, delegating tasks can help you create more hours in a day.
One of the best ways to delegate is to make a list of all the things you need to do in a day and then prioritize those tasks. For example, if you need to write a paper for class, but you also have a shift at your part-time job, it may be best to seek help for outlining or researching the paper. That will enable you to focus more of your time on the writing portion.
Another thing you can delegate as a college student is your laundry. Many college campuses have laundry services that will wash and fold your clothes for you. This can free up a few hours each week that you can use for studying or relaxing.
4. Take breaks
It’s a well-known fact that the average person only has a limited amount of focus and concentration. Whether you’re trying to complete a difficult task at work or study for an upcoming exam, there will come a point where your brain starts to feel fatigued.
Once this happens, it’s important to take a break in order to avoid burning out. By taking 10-15 minutes to relax and rejuvenate, you can actually increase your productivity and effectiveness.
When you return to the task at hand, you’ll find that you’re able to focus more easily and make better progress. In other words, taking regular breaks can help you “create more hours” in a day by ensuring that you’re working at your highest level of capacity.
5. Stick to a routine
You wake up feeling rushed and frazzled, trying to get ready for work while also getting ready for school. The day flies by in a blur of classes, deadlines, and responsibilities. Before you know it, it’s dinnertime and after that, bed.
You collapse into bed yourself, vowing to do better tomorrow. But the next day unfolds in much the same way, and the cycle continues. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to create a routine.
Having a set schedule can help you make the most of your time by ensuring that you’re not wasting precious minutes on tasks that could be done more efficiently. In addition, sticking to a routine can help reduce stress levels and improve your overall sense of well-being. So if you’re looking for ways to “create more hours” in the day, start by creating a routine.
6. Eliminate distractions
For many college students, time seems to be in short supply. Between classes, homework, extracurricular activities, and socializing, it can be difficult to find enough hours in the day to get everything done.
Yet another way to create more time is to eliminate distractions. Distractions can come in many forms, but they all have one thing in common: they prevent us from focusing on the task at hand.
Some common distractions that college students face include social media, television, talking on the phone, text messaging, and email. By eliminating these distractions, we can create more time for ourselves and improve our focus and productivity.
In addition, we can also set aside specific times for each activity, which can help us to use our time more efficiently. When we eliminate distractions and use our time wisely, we can “create more hours” in a day and accomplish more than we ever thought possible.
7. Cut down on wasted time
Most people feel like they never have enough time. However, the truth is that we all have the same 24 hours in a day. The key is to use that time wisely. Perhaps the best way to do that is to cut back on wasted time.
This could include anything from spending hours scrolling through social media to watching TV instead of getting some exercise. Furthermore, you can waste time doing things that are seemingly not wastes of time. For instance, you might spend hours studying for a test in a topic area you already know as a means of avoiding a class project that’s more challenging.
Finally, when you cut back on the wasted time of all types, you free up more time for activities that are truly beneficial. That time, you could use that extra time to spend with family and friends, learn a new skill, or volunteer for a cause you care about. So next time you find yourself with some spare time, think about how you can use it more wisely. Chances are, you’ll be happy you did.
8. Maximize your productivity
Maximizing productivity is all about making the most efficient use of your time and resources. There are a number of different ways to do this, but some of the most effective include setting clear goals, breaking down tasks into manageable steps, eliminating distractions, and taking regular breaks.
Setting clear goals means knowing exactly what it is you want to achieve and having a plan for how you are going to do it. Without clear goals, it can be easy to become sidetracked or frustrated.
Boosting productivity means breaking down tasks into manageable steps. This makes it easier to focus on one thing at a time and ensures that you don’t get overwhelmed.
We’ve talked about eliminating distractions. Ways to do this include turning off your phone, avoiding social media, and working in a quiet space. Finally, do whatever you have to do to recharge and come back to work with fresh energy.
9. Use time-saving tools
College students today are busier than ever before. In addition to attending classes and studying for exams, many also work part-time jobs and are involved in extracurricular activities. As a result, finding ways to save time can be a top priority.
Fortunately, there are a number of time-saving tools that can help college students make the most of their day. Planners or organizers can help students keep track of their assignments, deadlines, and upcoming exams. Planners can also be used to schedule time for studying, socializing, and working.
Another helpful tool is an online calendar, which can be used to set reminders for upcoming deadlines and events. Additionally, many college students find it helpful to use online task managers to keep track of their to-do lists. These tools can help students make sure that they are using their time wisely and staying on top of their responsibilities.
10. Stay organized
Staying organized while attending classes full-time can be daunting, but there are some tried-and-true methods that can help. First, it is important to create a study schedule and stick to it as best as possible.
Dedicate a certain number of hours each day to studying, and break up that time into manageable chunks. Studying for one hour straight can be overwhelming, but 30 minutes of focus followed by a five-minute break is much more achievable.
It is also helpful to find a quiet, distraction-free place to study. Whether it’s the library, a coffee shop, or even your bedroom, having a designated spot will help you get into the mindset of focusing on your work.
Finally, we’ve said it once and we’ll say it again. Don’t forget to take breaks! Schedule time for leisure activities and exercise, and make sure to give yourself time to relax. A full-time school schedule can be demanding, but by staying organized and taking care of yourself, you can succeed.
11. Get enough sleep
According to the National Sleep Foundation, college students need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to function at their best. However, many students find it difficult to get this much sleep on a regular basis.
There are a number of reasons for this, including late-night study sessions, early morning classes, and social activities. Fortunately, there are a few simple “hacks” that can help students get the restful sleep they need.
For example, avoiding caffeine in the evening and creating a relaxing bedtime routine can help signal to the body that it is time to wind down for the night. Additionally, setting a regular sleep schedule and avoiding naps during the day can also promote better sleep at night. Just thinking about sleep more and how you’ll fit in enough of it can help college students ensure they are getting the proper amount of restful sleep.
Create More Hours Than You Need With These Tips
College students today are busier than ever before, and finding ways to save time can be a top priority.
Fortunately, there are a number of time-saving tools that can help college students make the most of their day. There are also many practical tips and thought patterns that will enhance the amount of time available for important tasks.
Read back over these tips, and while you’re at it, share with us a few of your own. After all, there’s no one right way to do it, and each person is different. What works best for you?
Aric Mitchell's work appears regularly here at 4tests.com and across the web for sites, such as The Inquisitr and Life'd. A former high school teacher, his passion for education has only intensified since leaving the classroom. At 4tests, he hopes to continue passing along words of encouragement and study tips to ensure you leave school ready to face an ever-changing world.
