time management skills assignment

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20 Effective Time Management Strategies and Tools for Students

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One of the most important life skills for anyone to master is time management. Keeping track of everything that we have to do and carving out the time to get it all done can be a real struggle. Try these time management strategies and techniques, plus find helpful tools for staying on track.

General Time Management Strategies

Time management techniques, time management tools.

These time management strategies work for everyone, helping you set goals and prioritize, then set a schedule to get things done.

Visualize the big picture

Use a calendar of some type to lay out all your big-picture goals for a year, month, or week. Include major projects and assignments, as well as school and personal events. This is your place to get an overview of everything that’s on your plate. Keep items to broad descriptions: “History Project” or “Spring Play Opening Night.” You’ll get into the details next.

Break it down

The next step is to take major projects and assignments and break them down into smaller, more manageable parts. This is an incredibly effective way to overcome that feeling of “I’ll never get this all done!” It also prevents procrastinating on an entire project until the very last minute. Set smaller, more manageable goals with their own due dates in advance of a complete project or event.

For example, imagine your big-picture calendar says “History Project Due Feb. 23.” Breaking that down could look like this:

• Choose topic and presentation method: Jan. 9
• Initial research: Jan. 10-30
• Presentation outline: Jan. 31
• Write presentation script: Feb. 1-5
• Create visual aids: Feb. 6-12
• Rehearse presentation: Feb. 13
• Fine-tune presentation: Feb 14-16
• Final rehearsals: Feb. 17
• Give history presentation: Feb. 23

At first, this method might feel a little overwhelming, because it may make you feel like there’s too much to get done. But as you use it, you’ll see how it can actually make you feel more prepared and in control, and make your time easier to manage.

Determine priorities

Sometimes it’s simply true: You don’t have enough time in a day to get all the things done that you’d like to. That’s where setting priorities becomes vital. In the “Time Management Techniques” section below, you’ll find several different ideas for determining the priority of different items on your lists.

Once you’ve figured out which items are the most important, try a color-coding system to indicate which items get a higher priority. This will help you identify at a glance what you need to do now and what can wait until another day.

Make daily to-do lists

Make it a habit to start each day by creating a to-do list. (Not a morning person? You can do this the night before too.) Include high-priority items, as well as things you’d like to do but may not have to complete. Throughout the day, as you complete an item, revisit your list and check it off. It’s incredibly satisfying to cross things off, and checking in with your list a few times a day ensures you don’t forget important things.

Limit multitasking

Today’s world places a lot of value on multitasking (doing several things at once). But when you’re doing multiple things at the same time, you’re probably not doing any of them well. So keep your multitasking to a minimum. When it’s time to work on something, set your focus to that particular thing. Other stuff can wait.

But some multitasking is OK. For instance, you might throw your clothes in the washing machine, then work on your math homework while waiting for them to be ready for the dryer. Later on, you could fold and put away the laundry while practicing conjugating Spanish verbs out loud. This type of multitasking works because the physical tasks are ones that don’t require much concentration, leaving your brain free for academic subjects.

On the other hand, avoid something like trying to listen to a podcast for your history class while also doing your math homework. Your attention won’t be fully on each, and your learning will suffer.

Remove distractions

Some people are capable of deep focus no matter what’s going on around them. Most of us, though, need to find ways to remove distractions when it’s time to get down to work. Here are some examples to try:

• Turn off your phone, or set it to alert you only in case of emergencies.
• Wear noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs to block out distracting sounds. A white-noise machine or app can help with this too.
• Close miscellaneous tabs in your web browser (like social media or news sites), and use only the tabs you need for your work.
• Go into a quiet room and shut the door. Ask friends and family not to disturb you.
• Check your to-do list before you start to make sure you’re on track. Then, clear your mind of other projects or tasks, and focus on what’s at hand.

Do an end-of-day review

At the end of each day, sit down with your to-do list. Was there anything you didn’t get to? Move it to another day. Did you feel too rushed today? Think about how you might make tomorrow run a bit more smoothly. Where do you stand in terms of your big-picture goals? Take a few minutes to adjust any plans accordingly.

Try a time audit

It’s OK if you don’t get to everything on your list every day. But if you find that there’s never enough time to get things done, you might benefit from a time audit. Over the period of a week or two, write down exactly how you spend your time, hour by hour. Then, look it over and see if you can identify problem areas. You might need to cut down on some optional activities and give that time to high-priority items instead. Learn how to do a time audit here.

The time management strategies we’ve talked about so far are general ways to stay on track and get stuff done. But there are multiple ways to approach some of these strategies, especially when it comes to actually settling down to work. Check out these popular time management techniques and choose one or more that seem right for you.

Eisenhower Decision Matrix

President Eisenhower developed this matrix and used it to help him prioritize his tasks. He looked at each item to evaluate it by importance and urgency, then broke them into four categories:

• Do First: These are urgent, important tasks with high priority.
• Schedule: These are important tasks that aren’t quite as urgent.
• Delegate: You may be able to delegate less important but still urgent tasks to someone else.
• Don’t Do: These non-urgent, unimportant items can be eliminated entirely or postponed indefinitely.

Here are some possible student examples for each category:

• Do First: Homework that’s due tomorrow takes top priority, as might doing laundry if you’re out of clean clothes.
• Schedule: Set aside time (see Time Blocking) for smaller parts of long-term projects, such as research time or writing an outline. That could be today or one day in the near future.
• Delegate: Students aren’t always able to delegate their tasks, but they can ask for help. For example, if your schedule is incredibly tight, you could ask your dad if he’d be willing to throw your clothes in the dryer when the washer is done.
• Don’t Do: These are often bad habits you need to break, like surfing the web aimlessly instead of working, or texting your friends for hours instead of doing your chores.

Find out much more about the Eisenhower Matrix and how to use it for time management strategies here.

ABCDE Method

This is another time management strategy for prioritizing the tasks at hand. Assign each item a letter:

• A: Highest priority
• B: Should do soon, if not today
• C: Could do, but no serious consequences if not done
• D: Delegate or ask for help
• E: Eliminate from your list

This is very similar to the Eisenhower Matrix, with a little more flexibility around should-dos and could-dos. Learn more about the ABCDE method here.

Most Difficult First (Eat That Frog)

This method is based on a quote often attributed to Mark Twain: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”

In other words, don’t put off the biggest, hardest tasks. Get them out of the way first. Then, everything else you have to do will seem easy in comparison.

For some people, though, this concept can be counterproductive. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, tackling something extremely difficult can be too much and cause you to shut down entirely. In that case, it’s just fine to choose smaller, simpler items. The key is to make progress, one step at a time.

Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a simple time management method: You work for 25 minutes at a time, then take a 5-minute break to rest and recharge. Simply set a timer for 25 minutes, and focus on one single task until it goes off. Then, you can spend 5 minutes stretching, resting your eyes, or checking your social media feeds. When the 5 minutes are up, set the timer for another 25 minutes, and get back to work. If you do four 25-minute sessions in a row, take a longer break afterwards. Learn more about the Pomodoro Technique here.

If 25 minutes seems too short and you’d like a little more uninterrupted time, try Flowtime instead. This stretches out both the work and break time proportionally. If you work for 25-50 minutes, take an 8-minute break. For 50-90 minutes, you get a 10-minute break. And if you’ve been at it for more than 90 minutes, take 15 minutes to recharge. Learn about Flowtime here.

Parkinson’s Law says that work will always expand to fill the amount of time available. Timeboxing seeks to shrink tasks back to the size they truly need to be. When you timebox, you set a specific amount of time for a task and complete it within that time.

In other words, you might look over your study planner and decide that you need one hour for tonight’s geometry and chemistry assignments, plus you’d like to spend another hour working on your English essay.

Set a timer and work on your geometry and chemistry for an hour, with no other distractions. When the timer goes off, reassess and adjust your goals as needed. Since you have to finish that homework tonight, you’ll probably need to add more time if you’re not finished.

Your English essay isn’t due for two weeks, though, so if you’ve boxed out one hour for working on it today, that’s all you need to do. Set a timer, determine your goals for day, and get to work. When the timer goes off, you’re done for today.

Here’s more on timeboxing.

Time Blocking

This method is similar to timeboxing, but it involves setting blocks of time aside on your calendar for specific tasks. For example, you might block out 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day for daily homework, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for working on your biology research paper, and 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for piano practice. Some people like to start each day by blocking time out on their calendar, figuring out how they’ll make the most of their time. Find out more about time blocking here.

Once you’ve selected some time management strategies to try, you’ll find plenty of tools to help make them work. Check out these top time management tools for students, from planners to timers and beyond.

Student Planners

Traditional paper planners come in a variety of styles, with some made especially for students. The most important thing is to choose one you’ll actually use, and keep it on hand at all times. See our selection of the top student planners here.

Planner Apps

Planner apps and online calendars are nice because you have access to them everywhere you go. For students, we really like:

• My Study Life

See more details on each of these here, plus more options.

Study Planners

Study planners are specific to academics, and they are a simple way to keep track of both short-term and long-term assignments, projects, and more. Check out these free printable options:

• Develop Good Habits: Study Planner
• Alex Marie: Weekly Assignments Due
• Sophia Lee: Homework Planner Pack

Time Management Apps

Planner apps are a good start, but other time management apps can help you stay on track by eliminating distractions or setting time limits. Here are a few to try:

• Pomofocus : A free online 25–5 timer with the ability to add a task list for each work segment
• Rize : An AI productivity coach that uses time tracking to improve your focus and build better work habits
• Forest : Eliminate distractions, stay on task, and grow a digital forest to celebrate your achievements

Bullet Journal

Bullet journaling has a lot of benefits, and some page setups are especially good for time management:

• Daily Schedule
• Project Planner
• Study Tracker

Check out our big roundup of bullet journal ideas here.

What time management strategies do your students find most effective? Come share your thoughts and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, ultimate study skills guide: tips, tricks, and strategies for every grade ..

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16 Best Academic Planners for Students in 2023 (Paper and Online Options!)

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What Is Time Management? 6 Strategies to Better Manage Your Time

Manage your time to reduce stress, raise productivity, and increase well-being with these tips.

In school, work, and daily life, we may encounter people who seem to have it all together. They are productive, stress-free, high achievers. But chances are, they were not born that way. Managing, organizing, and distributing time are skills that we can learn. Doing so can help you control your time and promote overall satisfaction.

Here are some tips and methods that can help you harness your time for better well-being.

What is time management?

Time management is the process of consciously planning and controlling time spent on specific tasks to increase how efficient you are. You may be familiar with setting deadlines, writing to-do lists, and giving yourself small rewards for accomplishing certain activities.

Motivating ourselves is a core part of time management—and it takes a bit of effort not only to motivate yourself but to cultivate good habits to work and live more efficiently.

To develop good routines and habits, you can start by knowing what strategies and best practices are out there. You can experiment with them in your own life to see what works for you.

Benefits of time management

Good time management can lead to a healthy, balanced lifestyle that may manifest as:

Reducing stress

Increasing energy

Achieving goals more efficiently

Prioritizing what's important

Accomplishing more in less time

Reducing procrastination

Boosting confidence

Getting further in your career or education

How we spend our days...

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing. A schedule defends from chaos and whim,” wrote Annie Dillard in her book The Writing Life [ 1 ] .  

This quote summarizes how humans conceptualize time and how we can develop skills and schedules to maximize productivity and achieve our goals. 

6 time management strategies

If you’re looking to take control of your time, here are six tips and strategies to get you started:

1. Conduct a time audit.

Start by assessing where you actually spend your time. Create a visual map of the approximate hours you spend on work, school, housework and chores, commuting, social media, and leisure activities. Then, you can drill in on school or work, dividing your previous week into days, then hours. How much time did it take to finish that paper? Did a work project take longer because you were scrolling on your phone?

Set goals based on this outcome. Planning ahead and setting time limits on your tasks and priorities can free up time for what’s most important to you, like spending more time with friends and family.

Start by dedicating a half hour every Sunday to intentionally planning your week ahead and setting daily goals.

Awareness, arrangement, adaptation

At the core of time management methods are the basic skills of awareness , arrangement , and adaptation [ 2 ]. This means being mindful of your time, structuring it, and adjusting it as you go, is the secret to effective time management. Executives now point to behavioral skills as the most important for the modern workforce, with “time management skills and the ability to prioritize” ranking second in IBM’s skills gap survey [ 3 ].

2. Use the Eisenhower Matrix to set your priorities.

The Eisenhower Matrix is a popular tool that helps you distinguish between tasks that are important, not important, urgent , and not urgent . The quadrant has four boxes in which you can split your tasks to prioritize what you should focus on first. They also correspond with the 4 D’s of execution: do, defer, delegate, and delete .

Quadrant 1: Important and urgent. Do these tasks first. These are the priorities that are most relevant to your goals.

Quadrant 2: Important but not urgent. Defer these for later in your schedule.

Quadrant 3: Urgent but not important. Delegate these to others, if possible, especially if they do not contribute to your long-term goals.

Quadrant 4: Not important and not urgent. Delete these tasks, or do them when you have free time because they are distractions from your priorities.

For an even simpler approach, create a task list and mark each item as urgent or important. Often, we prioritize urgent tasks instead of important ones—such as tasks that may be creative, important, and fulfilling but do not have a deadline—so identifying and labeling them can be a helpful step toward accomplishing your personal and professional goals.

3. Employ methods to “chunk” your time.

Once you have a better idea of what your priorities are, setting limits can be an excellent time management tool. There are several options for chunking your time into digestible pieces.

Try the Pomodoro method . This technique was developed in the late 1980s by Francesco Cirillo, a university student who was overwhelmed by studying and assignments. The Pomodoro method requires using a timer to break down your work into 25-minute intervals, separated by 5 minutes of break time. After four pomodoros, you may take a longer 15-30 minute break. Pomodoro (“tomato” in Italian) promotes concentration and relieves mental fatigue, which is especially useful for open-ended work like conducting research, studying for an exam, or finishing a consulting project.

By “chunking” time, you make big projects and goals less daunting. Less procrastination, more productivity.

Try an app to help you focus

Download Pomodor on your desktop or the Focus Keeper app for your phone.

4. Focus on one thing at a time. 

For most of us, multitasking is generally less efficient than focusing on one task at a time. In fact, one study found that only 2.5 percent of people are able to multitask effectively [ 4 ]. Doing too many things at once can impact your cognitive ability, making you feel unproductive or dissatisfied with your progress. Arranging your time so that you complete one task before starting another can boost your confidence.

Further, it may be helpful to compartmentalize tasks. If you are a writer, for example, you might dedicate Monday to research, Tuesday through Thursday to writing, and Friday to editing. 

5. Give yourself a reward.

Rewards can be a great source of motivation for adopting good time management habits. For each important task you accomplish, you can give yourself a little treat. It doesn't need to be extravagant or expensive. Here are some simple ways to motivate yourself:

Taking a break to enjoy your favorite snack

Going for a short walk outside

Call a friend or family member

Meditate for five minutes

Listen to a podcast episode or a chapter of an audiobook

For bigger rewards, you can indulge in activities like reading a book in the bath, planning a night out with friends, or booking a getaway. Exciting rewards can help you push through an especially tough project or work period.

6. Use apps to block out distractions.

Sometimes, rewards and good intentions are not enough to keep us focused. An app or browser extension can help you minimize distractions by blocking you from using social media or touching your phone. Here are some apps and extensions you can try:

Forest is an app that helps you stay focused and off your phone. The company partners with an organization called Trees for the Future to plant trees when you spend virtual coins earned in Forest.

StayFocused is a browser extension that prevents you from using time-wasting websites like Reddit, Twitter, Wikipedia, Instagram, and more. It’s highly configurable, so you can customize it to your specific distractions.

Freedom is a tool that can block both websites and apps on all of your devices, simultaneously. Take advantage of their free trial to know if it’s right for you.

How to create your own time management strategy

Now that you have some potential time management tips and methods in your toolkit, it’s time to create a strategy. You might experiment with several techniques before establishing the most effective long-term habits and routines for you. 

Establish goals and priorities.

Consider your lifestyle, whether you are a student or a working professional (or both), whether you have a family or aspire to become a digital nomad (or both!). Think of your long- and short-term goals for your career and personal development. Make sure the goals are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. What will it take to achieve them? How can you manage your time to maximize your productivity?

Once you have established your goals, prioritize them in order of importance. It may be helpful to use Post-its or pen and paper to visualize them.

Choose the best method for you.

Using the list of tips above, decide upon a method or two to implement. Based on what has worked for you in the past, you can mix and match different time management skills. If you are unsure of which ones will work for you, pick one at random and give it a try.

Plan and implement.

Apply your chosen method over a period of time. A month is typically enough time to evaluate whether a strategy is working. Over 30 days, monitor your progress. Take notes on how you feel after one or two weeks. Was one method more effective than the other? 

Take action today

Use a physical planner, Google calendar, or a simple notebook to set your monthly and weekly goals. For daily tasks, write a to-do list every morning with achievable (Swiss Cheese) goals. Feel free to buffer your days for flexibility and sprinkle in plenty of little rewards.

After one month of your new time management methods, it’s time to reassess. What’s working? What’s not working? Adjust your strategy and plan to be more effective. Continue to practice these habits each month, adapting them as your priorities change. What works for you when you are a student may not be the same as when you start a new job.

Remember, practicing time management is an ongoing process, and life happens. It’s about progress, not perfection.

Learn how to manage your time effectively

Learn more effective time management tips from instructors at top universities with a course like Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity from the University of California Irvine. This course is offered on its own as well as part of the Career Success specialization.

Give your team access to a catalog of 8,000+ engaging courses and hands-on Guided Projects to help them develop impactful skills. Learn more about Coursera for Business .

Article sources

Dillard, Annie. “ The Writing Life , https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Writing_Life.html?id=it8NwjEKwCMC." Accessed July 14, 2023.

Harvard Business Review. “ Time Management Is about More than Life Hacks , https://hbr.org/2020/01/time-management-is-about-more-than-life-hacks." Accessed July 14, 2023.

IBM. “ Research Insights the Enterprise Guide to Closing the Skills Gap , https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/epymnbja." Accessed July 14, 2023.

Springer-Verlag. “ Supertaskers: Profiles in Extraordinary Multitasking Ability - Psychonomic Bulletin and Review , https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/PBR.17.4.479." Accessed July 14, 2023.

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• Peterborough

Time Management Strategies

Short-term and long-term planning, general expectations.

• 24/7 Schedule
• 4-month calendar

Assignment Analysis

Your daily planner.

• Keys to Successful Time Management

The schedule of a university student varies from week to week and day to day. With little structure and a lot of independence, it can be difficult to know how to balance all the parts of your life: school, work, family, friends, sports, volunteering, and more.

Many university students quickly learn the paradox of time management: the more time you have available, the more difficult it is to manage your time.

By developing good time management strategies, you can work to define and achieve your goals, reduce your stress, and improve your marks!

The course syllabus will tell you a lot about your professor’s expectations and the time and work you will need to commit to the course. What the syllabus may or may not say is this: for students to be successful, they must engage with the course material. You are expected to analyse materials, not consume them. So, you will need to take time and make an effort - perhaps more than you have with your past schoolwork - to actively engage with the course.

As a general rule, full-time students should treat their studies like a full-time job, spending 40-50 hours per week in class, doing lab work, reading, reviewing, writing, and thinking.Some weeks, the workload may be light, while in others, you may have multiple assignments or tests.  It is important to plan by day, week and month to manage the ebb and flow of the term.

Short Term Planning

Short term planning involves creating a weekly schedule that allows you to complete your work. Creating a 24-hour schedule is an excellent way to start your planning; it helps to create structure to your days and illustrates how you use your time and how much time you have available. A 24-hour schedule sounds daunting, but it allows you to be flexible and to work at times which suit you best, whether you prefer the moonlight or early morning sun for study. Download a blank template to make your own schedule.

How to Create a 24/7 schedule

• Block off all of your class, seminar, and lab times. Consider time getting to and from classes if you have to commute or take public transit.
• Block off your paid work hours, volunteer commitments, training schedule, or program placement.
• Block off times for sleeping, eating, exercise, household tasks, and socializing.  If you know you will be spending Friday nights out with friends, block it off – don’t try to plan to do work at a time when it is unlikely to happen.  (Also consider how early you will rise the following Saturday.)
• Read the syllabus for each course and identify the weekly workload. Estimate the time you need to complete readings or practice questions, to review, or to do an online quiz. Expect to spend two to four hours per week per course for these tasks, which can be in one large block or in a few smaller blocks of time (for example, you might find it easier to focus on your psychology text book if you read it in a few 45-minute blocks instead of a 3-hour slog). Enter blocks of time for this work where there is time available (and when you are likely to do the work) in your schedule.
• Schedule in “major assignment” time each week; this may vary based on your course requirements, but many students find they need 8-10 hours weekly for research, writing, and preparation for essays, labs, projects, or exams. Each week, you can decide which major assignments you need to focus on based on your long term planning.

Two approaches

Standard Routine: You may wish to establish all of these academic and personal activities in specific blocks of time (i.e. laundry on Wednesdays, 4-6pm; reading for Bio on Thursdays 8-10pm). 

Flexible Schedule: You may find it more useful to know, based on the space available in your 24/7 schedule, that you have 3 hours available on Tuesday afternoons and 4 hours on Tuesday evenings; you can then decide, on a weekly basis, what tasks fit in those time slots (i.e. this week: research for Psychology Tues. aft.; math problem set and bio pre-lab Tues. eve.). 

Long-Term Planning

In addition to having a weekly schedule, it is essential to create a long term plan that will allow you to know when your major assignments are due and whether you have crunch periods during which you have many assignments due at once. A 4-Month Planner can be an excellent tool to use; it allows you to see all the months of a term without turning a page or changing screens.

You can download a term-at-a-glance calendar or use a four-month wall calendar, whichever is more convenient for you.

Using a Term-at-Glance Calendar Effectively

• Go through the course outline for each class and carefully note all assignment due dates and exams. Put these dates onto your 4-month calendar. You can use a different colour for each course if this helps. Keep this calendar in plain view for quick reference.
• Be sure to include important birthdays and planned trips home as you often need to work around them.
• Identify your “crunch times,” periods when you have multiple assignments or exams. Plan for these times by deciding when you need to start each assignment in order to get it done in time.
• Don’t forget to note Reading Week in your calendar; it’s a great time to catch up or get ahead!
• Make intermediate deadlines for different stages of each assignment and put these on your calendar. You can determine your intermediate deadlines (or mini deadlines) by following our steps for Assignment Analysis.
• Remember that learning to make and follow a plan takes time. Be flexible. If a week looks full, try to move some work to an earlier week. Don't worry if you need to adjust your calendars a few times. That's part of the trial-by-error process, and it's useful.

We often put off fa task because we don’t appreciate how much time it will take to complete or we don’t know where to start. By breaking down an assignment into smaller steps, you can better understand where to begin your assignment and when you should start (and complete) it.

In the example below, the assignment is broken into specific tasks and these tasks are spread out over the course of 18 days. This breakdown allows a student to approach the assignment thoughtfully and provides them to complete work for other courses without the stress of completing the assignment. You can download a template to help you with this task.

The final step in your time management process is to record all of the critical information in your daily planner or in daily to-do lists. Referring to your 24/7 schedule to identify blocks of time for school work and using your deadlines and mini-deadlines to prioritize your work, you can effectively plan your week and your day to keep up with your readings, stay on track with essays and assignments, and maintain your personal interests and social life.You may wish to use a planner you buy, a calendar application you like, or you can download this two week planner.

Sample To-Do List

Make time to manage your time: Plan your week on the same day every week

Tips for Planning Your Work Week

• Use your time wisely: don't plan to spend too long on one task. Establish a comfortable time span during which you can focus. Take lots of small breaks to re-energize.
• Vary your tasks: don't spend all night just reading or just writing. Do some research, some thinking, some editing.
• Plan your tasks so that you blend more enjoyable tasks with less pleasant ones. Don't leave all the things you don't want to do until the end.
• Consider your habits.  If you are not normally at your best first thing in the morning, schedule an activity that is more active or that you are motivated to do (perhaps you enjoy reading for History or writing essays for ERS – do this at times when it might be difficult to convince yourself to tackle readings for Philosophy or Chemistry).
• Reward yourself for staying on track, but also take time to re-assess if you think things are derailing.

The Keys to Successful Time Management

Forget what you "should" do or what you think others are doing or what you wish you could do; stick to what you actually do. Remember, no one is judging you- this process will work only if you are completely honest with yourself. Everyone approaches time management (and life!) differently, so you are the best judge of how to adapt these strategies to you and your work.

Be Realistic

Unless you are superhuman, it is best to stick with what you know about yourself. If your approach to these time management tools is unrealistic, you won't use them. Don't try to take on too much, but don't sell yourself short either. Above all, get to know your own capabilities.

Build in Personal Time

Everyone needs to take care of non-school things too. Be sure to build recreational, social, and personal time into your schedule. Do this first, not as an afterthought.

Be Flexible

Review your plan constantly; update it often. If you fall behind, don't worry - simply rearrange your schedule. If something unexpected happens, go with it and rearrange your plan later. Remember, you control it; it doesn't control you.

Stick with Your Plan

The best plan in the world will fail if you don't use it. Get in the habit of using the daily/weekly planner for everything, every day. Be sure to record all of your appointments and activities in the appropriate place.

Give it Time

If you need to change what you do or how you do it, try to change one thing at a time. Things will get better as you get better. After all, that's why you are at university - to learn.

Having a time management plan can give you control over your work and your life. Review your plan constantly; update it often. If you fall behind, don’t worry, simply rearrange your schedule. If something unexpected happens, go with it and rearrange your plan later. Remember, you control it; it doesn’t control you.

Time Management

What is time management?

Think of time management strategies as tools that can help you reach your goals and focus on what’s most important to you. Time management is not just about being as efficient or productive as possible at all times. You also want to leave time for relaxation and fun. It’s all about balance! Time management can also help you lower anxiety levels and promote your overall well-being. 

Try to keep these time management principles in mind not only when you are planning out your schedule in advance, but also when you are making decisions throughout your day. Effective time management is both preparation and a daily practice. Keep in mind that it’s important to figure out which strategies will work best for you. Some approaches may work better than others, depending on your needs (which can also change from day to day and week to week).

Time Management Courseworks Module

Managing our time effectively can often be challenging, but luckily, time management is a skill that we can practice and strengthen. To support the development of your time management skills, the CEP, CARDS, Furman, and Beyond Barnard created a set of self-guided Time Management modules for Barnard students. This special course will offer general time management strategies, discuss methods of overcoming procrastination, provide tips and tools for tackling large assignments, prompt you to reflect on how you want to devote your time and energies, share a variety of additional resources, and more! Time management can be a powerful tool to help you reach your goals and find balance throughout your semester. We welcome all Barnard students to utilize this resource. To access the Time Management course, please fill out this form .

Time Management Strategies

For most people, time management strategies that reduce anxiety and fear work best. Strategies that emphasize the magnitude of tasks can actually increase procrastination and feelings of anxiety. For instance, making a huge list of "things to do" or scheduling every minute of your day may increase your stress and also your tendency to procrastinate. Instead, set reasonable goals (for example, a manageable list of things to do), break big tasks down, and give yourself flexibility and allot time to do things you enjoy as rewards for work completed.

Try planning your day in terms of time, not the tasks you have to do.

Set aside chunks of time for important tasks every day. It’s hard to predict how long a task will take, so it may be hard to schedule with accuracy. Instead, you might try scheduling regular intervals of time and get into a routine. For example, you might schedule 11:30am-12:00pm as time to review notes before your class starts. Scheduling in terms of time rather than tasks can help you approach each block of time with the intention to make the most of the time you have.

Make realistic commitments.

If you can’t commit to setting aside time to a task, don’t put it in your schedule. Only schedule tasks you will make an effort to do. Be realistic when making your schedule. Creating a schedule or a to-do list you can’t actually stick to sets yourself up for disappointment and feelings of guilt, which may end up slowing you down. Being realistic is essential to holding yourself accountable.

Maintain some flexibility.

Incorporate flexibility into your schedule. It’s not necessary to schedule every hour of the day. It’s okay to leave empty time slots and even schedule in free time. You can also consider creating a two-hour or three-hour block on a less busy day (like at the end of the week) as a time to catch up on tasks you might not have gotten to earlier in the week. When things come up and you are deciding whether to change up your established schedule, look ahead and see when you might return to what you originally planned to do .

Block out time.

On a regular basis, set aside chunks of time for specific classes or activities. Make it part of your everyday routine. It may be helpful to decide on how many hours per week you want to devote to a class outside of class time. You can then use this time to work on tasks or readings for the course. You can always spend less time if you have fewer tasks in a given week. Similarly, if you have a big assignment coming up, divide up the assignment into smaller parts and set aside specific blocks of time to work on each.

Tackle first things first.

If possible, schedule the things that are most important to you first thing in the day, or at the first available time in your schedule. Things that are scheduled later in the day have a greater chance of being put off and never gotten to.

Tips for Getting Started

Adjust your outlook.

Adjust your perspective. Looking at a big task in terms of smaller pieces makes it less intimidating. Look for what's appealing or interesting about it, or what you want to get out of an assignment beyond just the grade.

Commit to a small task

If you feel stuck, start simply by committing to complete a small task, any task, and write it down. Finish it and reward yourself. Write down on your schedule or "to do" list only what you can completely commit to, and if you write it down, follow through no matter what. By really doing what you say you will, you will slowly rebuild trust in yourself, which is something that many procrastinators have lost.

Be aware of how you talk to yourself

Notice how you are thinking and talking to yourself. Talk to yourself in ways that remind you of your goals and replace old, counter-productive habits of self-talk. Instead of saying, "I wish I hadn't... " say, "I will ..."

Divide up big tasks into smaller parts

You can devote short chunks of time to a big task and do as much as you can in that time with few expectations about what you will get done. For example, you give yourself 10 minutes to jot down ideas for a thesis sentence of your paper or 10 minutes to skim over a long reading. Do as much as you can in the 10 minutes. After repeating the process a few times, the big task may seem much less intimidating, since you’ve chipped away at it and removed obstacles to finishing. Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part!

Time Management Tools

To help manage the stress that can come from coursework, take advantage of the weekly and semesterly planners developed by the CEP. Take a moment now to download them or print them if you can.

This weekly planner can be used to track your time, homework, and life events taking place each week. Rather than thinking about tasks that need to be completed, consider blocking time to dedicate to certain activities. For example, rather than put in your planner “Finish Biochem readings” try to block out 45 minutes for your Biochem reading. The weekly planner always has the flexibility required for life as things spontaneously pop up or get canceled. Most importantly, this weekly planner can be used to track elements of your week that work well, what could be improved, and what your goals are for the current week and the upcoming week. 

The semester planner can be used to track time in a similar way but on a larger, semester-wide scale. The semester planner includes major College holidays, academic deadlines, and can be used to track all of your major assignments, mid-terms, and finals. After reviewing your class syllabus, feel free to plug in key dates and deadlines into the semester planner. Life events such as friend’s birthdays, days where you may have work or a family event, and other commitments that you can’t reschedule could also be included in your semester planner. By adding major academic and personal dates to your semester planner, you can also make a more realistic weekly planner then reflects the accurate amount of free time you have during certain weeks or when you may have multiple major assignments. 

With the use of the weekly and semesterly planners, you can feel more in control of your semester and of your time! 

Time Management FAQs

How do you motivate yourself.

Personally, I like to reward myself regardless of how big or small the task is. Completing just one task is already an accomplishment that makes me feel better and can also push me to do more. Additionally, it’s comforting to surround yourself with people who are dealing with similar issues, so you’re not alone. For example, my roommate and I like to set a time to work together and when we finish, we watch a movie. 

How do you balance between work and school?

It’s so important to be realistic with your time. Since most people are doing remote work, you should keep in mind how many classes you’re taking in a day and decide how many hours you can actually work. I only have two classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, so I’m able to work for three hours while also having time to relax for a bit and do my homework in the evening. If you’re constantly working back to back, it’s most likely a sign that you’re pushing yourself too hard and will experience burnout.

How do you keep your well-being in check?

With family responsibilities, extracurricular activities, coursework, etc., you really need to schedule a day to yourself and do the things you enjoy. Most importantly, try to avoid technology like your phone or laptop—you’re on it every day, please. Go out to a park with a loved one or yourself and be active. Lately, I’m learning how to give myself what my body and mind needs; for example, I value my alone time, so I decided to go out to the city by myself, went to a bookstore and got my coffee, and read at the park.

How do you plan out your time?

I used to plan my schedule digitally, but now, I find a physical planner works better for me. I like to be able to scratch out what I’ve completed, which makes me feel more accomplished, and I can decorate it as I please. I finally bought one this semester, and one of the first things I did was jot down all the deadlines for my classes from the syllabi. Also, at the end of each week, I prepare the things I need to do for the following week at set times. 

What do you do to keep yourself from being distracted?

To be honest, I’m still struggling with this. For me, I don’t get distracted by what’s on my laptop but rather being on my phone during lecture. What’s helpful for me is to identify a workspace and leave my phone in another room or put it in airplane mode. Another way is to set a time limit for each app, so I'm not on it all the time.

How do you ask for help?

Asking for help can be daunting, especially when you have interacted with your professor much or when you don’t know what you need help with. But, help can come in a variety of ways and you can find support in the way that works best for you! This stems from a moment of vulnerability and saying, “I’m kind of struggling with [X]” to peers in the course, a peer tutor, a writing fellow, a TA, or even to a professor, during office hours. Asking for help can start off vague, such as asking for a re-explanation of a topic; you can also write out all of the questions you had from class and bring them to a peer tutor or office hours appointment. Help can only be received when asked for, and asking for help doesn't mean you're not capable, so when in doubt, always ask! 

What do you do when you need more time to complete an assignment?

If you feel that you need more time for an assignment or if you think your personal circumstances will affect your learning, it’s best to communicate your current situation to your instructor and/or TAs as soon as possible. Your instructors want to know you are okay, especially if your engagement changes vastly or if you know you won’t be able to complete assignments. If you think you would benefit from an extension, reach out to your instructor. Keep in mind that instructors may have different policies regarding late work or extensions, so it's best to be in communication with your instructor. 

Tackling Large Assignments/Projects

Sample plan for a final paper.

Below is a sample plan for tackling a typical 10-12 page final research paper. This is what you might plan for each week, beginning 4 weeks before the due date.

4 weeks before paper due date:

• Understand the assignment in full 
• Brainstorm topics to focus on & draft a thesis statement/main argument 
• Ask professors/TAs any questions about the assignment & for feedback on topic ideas
• Pick a research topic! 

3 weeks before paper due date:

• Find and discover your sources for the paper at hand 
• Meet with a writing fellow to showcase your current ideas and create a paper outline 
• Finalize a paper outline/organization plan
• Start writing your paper

2 weeks before paper due date:

• Write your paper, taking a day or two off when needed 
• Ideally, book the same person you saw the week before!
• Consider sharing this full draft with classmates for peer review/editing 

1 week before paper due date:

• Finalize paper and any additional edits
• Add your paper citations & ensure they are in the right academic format 
• Proofread your paper and submit!

Sample Plan for a Creative Project

4 weeks before due date:

• Go over the assignment and make sure you fully understand its purpose and requirements 
• Brainstorm ideas on a topic and decide what kind of format to do (video, podcast, art composition, etc) 
• Meet with your professor/TA to discuss your topic and ask questions 

3 weeks before due date:

• Start drafting your thesis/argument for the project 
• Make an outline for how you want to organize your format

2 weeks before due date:

• Continue to work on your project and finalize it by the end of the week 
• Depending on your format, make an appointment with a TA, Writing Fellow, Speaking Fellow, or even a classmate to receive feedback/review 

1 week before due date:

• Make any additional edits and comments 
• Look over it once more and submit!

Sample Plan for a Presentation

• Read through guidelines/rubric to understand what you need and organize notes to highlight argument/main ideas for the audience to read 
• Pick a design and make an outline of your presentation 
• Type the information on each slide, page, etc. 
• Write notes on what you want to say for each slide, page, etc
• Note: Regardless of what stage you are in the process, a Speaking Fellow can help you so don’t be afraid to reach out! 

1 week before due date:

• Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself on your phone, or practice in front of a friend/roommate/parent etc. 
• Make any final edits/adjustments

11 Free Time Management Worksheet for Students & Adults

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Do you find yourself constantly rushing to get important tasks done at the last minute? Have you ever missed important deadlines? Do you have a reputation for being constantly late for meetings, classes, or other important events?

At work, you probably find it a challenge to keep on top of all the tasks you need to finish. Your productivity may have taken a nosedive, and you’re not the only one who has noticed.

If you’re a student, you might be having difficulties meeting the demands of academics and extracurricular commitments. Perhaps you are even dissatisfied with your academic performance.

At home, you are probably faced with a seemingly endless parade of chores, and no longer have quality time for your family and yourself.

If any of the above scenarios resonate with you, it could be that you need some help managing your time.

Table of Contents

How Can I Effectively Manage My Time?

Effective time management requires two things: planning and organizing.

Time management involves a three-step process:

Step 1: Assessing how you currently use your time.

Step 2: Creating a schedule.

Step 3: Following the schedule.

It is important that you establish your daily schedule around your activities and commitments.

Make sure that you identify which activities are flexible and which are fixed. For instance, work hours are usually set to eight hours each day, so that’s a fixed schedule. Meanwhile, sleep and recreational activities are usually flexible.

As much as possible, be specific in your schedule-making. For example, if you just write “do chores” for Saturday morning, that could mean anything from a few minutes spent washing the dishes to half a day’s work of organizing the hallway closet. Estimate the time you need for the activity and block that time out in your timetable.

In addition, you can use some time-management tools and techniques to become more organized.

The Pomodoro Technique helps increase your productivity. Meanwhile, the Pareto Principle teaches you how to get maximum results in the least amount of time. Finally, the Eisenhower Matrix helps you identify which activities are urgent and important so you can act on them appropriately.

Applying all these strategies can help you manage your time more effectively.

To get you started on the habit of managing your time well, we have listed 11 time management worksheet examples. These worksheets are all downloadable and printable, free of charge.

Let’s check them out.

11 Time Management Worksheet Examples

1. daily time management log.

Download the PDF

Are you hard-pressed to finish several daily tasks and not sure where to start? Our time management log can help keep you from becoming overwhelmed by everything you need to accomplish. This template features a section for specifying your top three goals for the day. Then, a large section of the template is dedicated to supporting activities and to-dos that help achieve the top three goals. A column in the template lets you tag an activity’s level of importance (0 = Not Important to 3 = Urgent!).

Most importantly, through colored dots, this log allows you to track how productive you are by identifying your energy level while doing an activity. You can indicate whether you’re very energized (green), moderately energized (yellow), or low on energy (blue) while doing any of the activities you’ve logged for the day into the template.

2. Weekly Time Management Log

Looking for an appropriate time management log for all your weekly activities? We designed this template just for that purpose. Near the header is space for writing your top three goals of the week. An eight-column table offers enough space to record your schedule for the week and plot out how to manage your time well.

You can use colored highlighters to highlight specific activities and indicate your energy level while doing this activity. As a suggestion, green can mean highly energized and very productive; orange can represent moderately energized and moderately productive; and blue can mean low energy or did nothing.

3. Time Manager

via Humboldt State University

College life can be hectic, especially when it comes to your schedule.

It takes some strategic planning to stay on top of everything. That’s why it’s essential to find the right time-management tool.

A time manager like this one ensures that students don’t miss classes and important events. It also helps keep track of priority tasks.

This worksheet also has space where you can write down to-do items that you need to accomplish for the week.

The worksheet features a time block with one-hour intervals for the weekdays. There isn’t any time blocking for the weekend schedule, which is meant to encourage students to take time off from academic work and focus more on self-care .

4. Time Tracking Worksheet

This worksheet helps you track your activities. It features a column for the estimated duration of your task, and another column for recording the actual time you spent on the activity.

Furthermore, it has space for recording the frequency of the activity, which is useful for tracking your weekly schedule.

Finally, there is a column for identifying whether the task is important or not. This way, you can pinpoint which of your activities are significant or merely time sinks.

5. Where Does My Time Go?

Need support for your new time-management habit? This worksheet applies several strategies and principles for effectively managing your time.

The worksheet has 30-minute intervals to keep track of the precise time you spend on every activity. It also has an Eisenhower Matrix to help you identify if a task is your highest priority or if it can be done later in the day. ( Check out this post for an in-depth discussion and helpful tips on how to effectively use the Eisenhower Matrix .)

With this template, you also have the opportunity to reflect on how your schedule for the day went. The template has space where you can list “activities that deserve more time,” as well as those that deserve less. Lastly, a space is also provided where you can write initial plans for the following day.

6. Weekly Time Management Tracker

This time tracker has been designed to work with your schedule. Once printed out, it gives you a clear view of your daily schedule so you can identify which activities are consuming most of your time.

To maximize this tracker’s potential to help manage your time better, you can use categories to track how you spend your day . Examples of categories include:

• Self-care activities (massage, meditation, etc.)
• Work-related activities (including meetings, special assignments, etc.)
• Health and fitness activities (time at the gym, meal preparation, etc.)

7. Daily Time Blocking Worksheet

Schedules can be hectic, so we need a system to help us stay on top of things. This time-blocking worksheet helps keep the stress at bay when you need to get a lot of things done.

Although effective time management is a serious matter, we can still infuse it with fun elements. One way to do this is by using colorful pens when filling in your timetable. Moreover, stickers and printables can add visual interest and give you an amusing way of categorizing and tracking your schedules.

8. Bullet Journal Time Tracker Printable

This time tracker serves you well as a daily or weekly time log.

The heart at the beginning of each line represents the category of the activity you list down. This tracker’s creator suggests color coding the hearts to represent each category of activity.

Space for the color code “key” is also provided at the top right part of the tracker page to help you navigate this worksheet.

There is also a space where you can write down notes, reminders, and other information you want to keep a record of about your day.

9. 31-Day Time Tracker

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kate | Plan To Succeed (@plantosucceed)

This time tracker lets you track how you spend your 24 hours every day for 31 days. You can use a color-coded system to identify the activities that you do throughout the day.

Mildliners and Stabilo highlighters work well for this type of time tracker.

10. Your Time Buttoned Up

This worksheet has a time-blocking feature with 30-minute intervals. The template lets you track your schedule for the whole week, from 7 am to 2 am.

However, the standout feature here is color-coded dots that correspond to how productive your activity is. Green is very productive; orange is moderately productive; and red is wasted time (perhaps it’s time to admit that Facebook addiction and kick the habit).

11. Daily Time Log

Logging all of your activities trains your mind to consider time a valuable commodity. It encourages you to engage in activities that are of value to you.

The advantage of having a tracker like this is that, over a certain period, you will be able to see a pattern of how you use your time.

Is it for something that enriches you? Or do you spend a huge chunk of the day on time-sink activities like excessive social media use ?

With this information, you can adjust your priorities and manage your time more effectively.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—time management worksheet examples to inspire you as you work your way toward improved productivity and better health and well-being.

When you use a time-management tool such as the worksheets featured today, avoid dwelling on the things you fail to achieve. You always have the option of rescheduling them. Instead, focus on celebrating the tasks you do accomplish.

For more ideas, read our post on effective time management activities and exercises . If you're using the Pomodoro Technique, check out our favorite time blocking templates here . And if you need more guidance, check out these SMART goals examples for time management .

Remember to reward yourself when you’ve achieved your goals. We’ve got some awesome suggestions on how you can reward yourself in this post .

Furthermore, remember to take a break after accomplishing important activities. Allow yourself to decompress.

Always take your health and well-being into consideration when implementing time-management strategies for productivity. Make sure that you do not sacrifice sleep in an effort to get things done.

Here’s to a more organized and productive year!

Finally, if you want to level up your productivity and time management skills, then watch this free video about the 9 productivity habits you can build at work .

Academic Skills Center: Time Management

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Time Inventory

There are 168 hours in every week., 3 strategies for breaking the cycle of procrastination.

"If you are like me, procrastination has taken you on a rollercoaster throughout your educational career. Maybe you planned well, but things came up. Or maybe you enjoy the thrill of the countdown of time ticking before an assignment was due."

6 Tips for Successfully Managing Your Time

"As a Walden student, you are likely managing several important responsibilities. Whether you’re balancing a full course schedule and a full-time job or part-time coursework and full-time parenting duties, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed."

Finding Balance by Saying "No"

"If you struggle with finding a balance between your academic work and other obligations in your life, you aren’t alone."

Assignment Checklists

One way to help you manage your time and course-work is to use Assignment Checklists. You can record each discussion, assignment, quiz, and due date for the duration of your course. This will help you visualize all of your upcoming tasks for the course. Additionally, as you complete each task, you can mark it as complete!

We have developed these two Assignment Template PDFs for your use. Download the template and simply fill in the content you need. We have provided an examples for the Week 1 spaces, including reading materials, discussions, and assignments. Simply replace this content with your specific course need, and you have a PDF checklist ready to go!

Assignment Checklist

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Time management

Time management quick overview, time management in detail.

Effective time management allows you to work smarter but not harder or longer. You can plan your study time, set goals, prioritise tasks and break down tasks into smaller workable parts.  

Follow the steps below to begin managing your time.

What are the current demands on your time?  

Consider a typical week on your calendar or weekly planner. Record all study and non-study activities like, eating, sleeping, socialising and paid work. Find out how you really spend the time available to you. 

Time management style

How do you prefer to work? 

Reflect on your preferred time management style.

• Do you prefer to work to a deadline or work best when under pressure?
• Do you prefer spontaneity or planning your work ahead of time?
• Do you prefer to work on many tasks simultaneously or complete one task at a time?
• Do you like to constantly keep perfecting your work or do you prefer to complete tasks and move on? 

Use your responses to help raise your self-awareness of your time management style. Recognise the advantages and disadvantages of your style of working. Use the information to adapt your style to university requirements for learning and assessments.  

For example, make a list of all your tasks according to due dates or value to you if you have difficulty prioritising tasks. Or, set yourself a series of mini-deadlines in a course with one large assessment if deadlines help keep you on track.

Adapted from Clark (2021).

Goal setting

Set yourself specific and realistic goals. Remember to prioritise assessments according to their percentage of your grade. For example, an assessment worth 30% should be prioritised over an assessment worth 10%.  

Semester planner

Use a semester planner (scroll down to Further resources) to mark all your activities over the entire semester. Note all important dates for each assessment on the semester planner. Include other commitments relating to paid work, family and friends. This gives you the ‘big picture’ of all your commitments. Identify the busy periods so that you can spread out your workload across the semester. 

Weekly planner

Use the weekly planner (scroll down to Further resources) to mark all your activities over each week of the semester. This will identify time available for planning outside class study or any group work that is required.

Daily planner

Use a daily planner or ‘To-do’ list to identify and keep track of what you must do each day. Write the tasks as a list of dot points and rank them in order of importance. Cross them off as you complete each task and reward yourself at the end of the day.

Assessment planner

Use the Assessment Planner to create a schedule for completing your assignment on time.         

Hint : use an end date that is at least 3 days prior to the actual due date to allow time for the unexpected or interruptions outside your control.  

Procrastination

There are many reasons for procrastination. Negative effects of procrastination are wide-ranging and may affect your academic progress and success. Recognise episodes of procrastination and your reasons for it to avoid repetition in the future.  

To defeat procrastination, you must:

• Remove distractions
• Be more organised
• Be realistic with your goals
• Clarify your tasks and expectations
• Acknowledge and reward your past successes
• Share your goals with others to accept responsibility
• Apply time management strategies given in the next section. 

Time management strategies

Pomodoro technique.

Use the Pomodoro technique (Cirillo, n.d.) to ‘get in the zone', focus on a task and be productive. The Pomodoro encourages you to do intense work in blocks of time with regular breaks in-between.    

• Choose a task.
• Set a timer for 25 minutes.
• Work on the task until the timer rings.
• Note where you are with the task.
• Take a 5 min break, reward yourself.
• Take a longer break of 30 minutes after every four Pomodoro sessions.

Daily top three

Use this simple yet effective technique if you prefer to focus on a set number of tasks. 

• Note the three most important tasks on your daily ‘To-do’ list. 
• Make these the ‘daily top three’ tasks to complete that day.  
• You may modify the technique if required to fit in with other commitments. 
• Do the ‘daily top two’ or ‘daily task’, depending on the time you have on a specific day (Clark, 2021).

Break down tasks

Use this technique for large and complex tasks.

• Break down the large task into smaller parts that are easier to complete.
• Specific – you know what it is
• Measurable - you can measure it
• Achievable - you can complete it
• Relevant – you know it must be done
• Time-bound - you know when to complete it.
• Complete either the easiest part first or the most difficult part first – the latter will give you a greater sense of satisfaction and more incentive to complete the other parts. 
• Manage your environment - find a physical environment that helps you to concentrate.
• Manage stress effectively don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family.
• Consult with an Academic Skills and Language Advisor or drop in to see a Peer Learning Advisor (PLA) for guidance.
• Speak with a counsellor .  
• Set limits on phone and social media usage. Set aside a regular time for social media. Move apps to a folder outside the home screen. Try an app that helps you manage social media.
• Boost your confidence by thinking of the successes and accomplishments you’ve had so far.
• Don’t give yourself a hard time if things don’t work out as planned.
• Persist with your plan.
• Be kind to yourself. Self-compassion is important!

Further resources

• Daily Planner [Word 23kb]
• Daily Planner [Excel 20kb]
• Weekly Planner [Word 74kb]
• Weekly Planner [PDF 77kb]
• Term Planner [Word 64kb]
• Term Planner [PDF 31kb]
• Semester Planner 2024 Semester 1 [Word 57kb]
• Semester Planner 2024 Semester 1 [PDF 136kb]
• SMART goals
• Time management - A realistic approach (Journal article)

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Still have questions? Do you want to talk to an expert? Peer Learning Advisors or Academic Skills and Language Advisors  are available.

Cirillo, F. (n.d). The Pomodoro technique. Cirillo Consulting. https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique/

Clark, L. (2021). Time management. In C. Bartlett, T. Cawthray, L. Clark, S. Conway, K. Derrington, A. Devi, A. Frederiks, L. Gunton, W. Hargreaves, D. Howarth, S. Irvine, M. Jeffers, K. Lovric, R. McGregor, E. Peters, L. Pickstone, B. Retallick, Y. Rose, A. Sahay, ... R. Tweedale (Eds.),  Academic success  (Australian ed., pp. 51-75). University of Southern Queensland.  https://usq.pressbooks.pub/academicsuccess/  Used under  CC BY-NC-SA 4.0  license.

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Essential Study Skills

Introduction to time management.

• Getting Things Done
• Creating a Weekly Schedule
• Creating a Semester Plan
• Planning an Assignment
• Creating a Task List
• Putting it all together
• Additional Resources
• Coping With Stress
• Changing Your Perception of Stress
• Problem Solving To Manage Stress
• Reading with Purpose
• Taking Notes in Class
• Deciding What To Study
• Knowing How to Study
• Memorizing and Understanding Concepts
• Taking Tests & Exams
• Creating and Preparing For a Presentation
• Presentation Anxiety
• Delivering Presentations
• Exploring Career Options
• Identifying Areas of Interest
• Knowing Yourself
• Exploring the Labour Market
• Researching College Programs
• Setting Goals
• Tackling Problems
• Bouncing Back
• Sleep Matters
• Sleep Habits
• Sleep Strategies
• Meeting with Your Group
• Agreeing on Expectations
• Dealing With Problems
• Study in Groups

The idea of time management might be new to you. Basically, time management strategies allow you to plan out your time so that you can get things done and have a more balanced, less stressful life. In this module, we’ll explore why you need time management techniques, how to figure out how much time you actually need to accomplish your tasks.

Time Audit: How much time do you need to get everything done in a week?

Time Audit: How much time do you need to get everything done in a week? Accessible Version - Opens in a new window

Your Time Management Needs

• Your Use of Time
• Being Realistic About Your Time

Below are two videos that describe two types of typical college students: a recent high school graduate and a mature student. In additions, you can complete the Time Audit activity to assess your personal time needs.

How to Be Realistic About Your Time

Based on the earlier activity, you now know how many hours you need in a week to meet your personal and school commitments. Watch this video or read the information below for some tips and tools to help you manage your time and bring some balance to your week.

Questions to assess your time needs

Effective time management means creating a balance that allows you to do the things you need to do without getting completely overwhelmed and stressed. This requires being realistic about how much time you need. Try asking yourself these questions:

How much time do I actually have?

There are 24 hours a day, and 168 hours in a week. It sounds like a lot until you consider that you’ll spend some of that time sleeping, eating, getting from place to place, and other things like that. You may be surprised at how much time some little tasks take!

How much time do I need for school work outside of class?

Depending on your program, you should be spending about an average of 1 hour outside of class for every hour you spend in class. For example, 18 hours of class every week means 18 hours every week working on assignments, studying for tests, doing readings, preparing for labs,etc. Added to class time, that’s 36 hours every week - the equivalent of a full time job!

How can I balance my time?

Think about when you will do your outside-of-class work. Consider the following:.

• Spread it out. If you have six hours of class on Tuesday, you don’t necessarily need to go home and study for another six hours. You could plan that study time for a lighter class day, or on the weekend, when you have more time. When you spread out your study time over 7 days of the week, it will likely take you only 2-3 hours per day outside of class time. Working a little every day will be better for establishing a routine, and it will also improve your learning and memory.
• Plan study time for when you are best able to do your work. For example, how effective are you at 1 o'clock in the morning? Not all hours are created equal. One hour of good quality study time is better than three hours when nothing is sinking in. It’s just as much about quality as quantity.
• Consider how your workload might change throughout the semester. Earlier on in the semester, you likely won’t have a lot of big assignments and tests to worry about; however, as the semester goes on, your workload will increase. You’ll likely have several large assignments and tests due all around the same time. Remember that you can think beyond just one week at a time. If you have several busy weeks later in the semester, it can help to get started in an earlier week, when you have more time.
• Your Workload Tipsheet Check out this tipsheet for an illustration of how your workload will change throughout the semester:
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Time Management Is About More Than Life Hacks

• Erich C. Dierdorff

Your productivity hinges on these three skills.

There is certainly no shortage of advice — books and blogs, hacks and apps — all created to boost time management with a bevy of ready-to-apply tools. Yet, the frustrating reality for individuals trying to improve their time management is that tools alone won’t work. You have to develop your time management skills in three key areas: awareness, arrangement, and adaptation. The author offers evidence-based tactics to improve in all three areas.

Project creep, slipping deadlines, and a to-do list that seems to get longer each day — these experiences are all too common in both life and work. With the New Year’s resolution season upon us, many people are boldly trying to fulfill goals to “manage time better,” “be more productive,” and “focus on what matters.” Development goals like these are indeed important to career success. Look no further than large-scale surveys that routinely find time management skills among the most desired workforce skills, but at the same time among the rarest skills to find.

• Erich C. Dierdorff is a professor of management and entrepreneurship at the Richard H. Driehaus College of Business at DePaul University and is currently an associate editor at  Personnel Psychology.

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Table of Contents

What is time management, the importance of time management, top 16 time management skills, how to improve your time management skills, choose the right program, final words, top 16 time management skills to help you become a success.

Do you often feel stressed out with too much work to do when there’s not enough time in the day? How is it then that some people seem to have enough time to do everything? The secret seems to be controlling time instead of letting time control you. In other words, the difference lies ineffective time management. 

This blog discusses how you can improve your  time management skills  and increase productivity.  

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Time management is a technique for using your time productively and efficiently. It means organizing and planning how to divide your time between various tasks. You’ll have time to do everything you need without being stressed out about it with good time management skills. You can work productively and prioritize your time to work out the urgent or important tasks first while following up with things that are not urgent but still important. Thus, you can focus your time and energy on things that matter the most. You’ll end up working smarter, not harder, to increase productivity.

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Time management skills  are essential because it helps us use time wisely and stop wasting time. We become more focused and productive when we are in charge of how we use our time. Productivity leads to profitability. So, good time management can add to your bottom line. The benefits of effective time management are immense:

• Less stress or anxiety
• Better work-life balance
• Increased focus
• Higher levels of productivity
• More free time
• Makes things simple and easy
• Less distraction
• Greater energy and motivation

Good time management begins with the right set of skills. You cannot manage your time better if you don’t develop the essential time management skills. These skills take time to create and will vary from person to person. Finding what works best for your personality trait is necessary. 

Let’s analyze the core time management skills and how to develop them.

1. Make a Plan

Effective time management isn’t achieved randomly. It involves a good amount of planning. Developing a strategy for which tasks are important, task sequences, calendar management, meetings, project plans, etc., can help you calibrate the course of the day and not go astray. 

2. Create a Priority List Rather Than a To-Do List

Think about what needs to be done and prioritize the most critical tasks. 

Refrain from creating to-do list of all tasks to be done. Instead, create a list of the tasks based on priority and check off items as you complete them. This helps to drive a sense of accomplishment and motivation. The best way to develop planning skills is using calendar tools like Google calendar. 

3. Start Early

Start your day early to take full advantage of the day. Most successful people get up early in the morning and do some quick exercising before heading to work. If you start early, you have plenty of time to think and plan the day. Early in the morning, you are more calm, creative, and clear-headed. This means you have all the ingredients to be more productive.

4. Breakdown Every Task Into Small Chunks

Zero in on what you want, and build smaller goals that ladder up to your desired goal. Group all related tasks into smaller groups that are easy to manage and tackle. Thus, you can better visualize and take steps to reach your goal.

5. Practice Decision Making 

What we do with the 24 hours in a day is what makes the real difference in time management. The ability for good decision-making about time is one of the top time management skills. Prioritize and decide which tasks to handle first and say no to. 

6. Delegate tasks

Task delegation means proper management of tasks. Learning how to delegate is very important in developing time management skills. Delegating work to your subordinates depending on their skills and abilities will free up time for you and make your team members feel valued and motivated to perform well. By delegating or outsourcing whenever possible, you give yourself time to take on the most challenging tasks. Thus you move closer to the goal of becoming the most efficient version of yourself possible. 

7. Set SMART Goals

Set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and secured within a time frame. Be specific with the outcomes you want to achieve and allocate the time needed to reach that outcome.  

8. Set Up Deadlines

Set realistic deadlines for task completion and stick to them. Try to set a deadline before the due date to deal with other tasks that may get in the way.

9. Be Mindful of When You’re Going Off-Track 

Procrastination affects productivity and causes wastage of time and energy. We tend to procrastinate when bogged down or feeling bored. Break up challenging tasks into smaller activities to stay engaged and on track.   

10. Learn to Set Boundaries and Say No

Time is your most precious asset, and good time management means getting comfortable with saying ‘no’ to tasks that are not your priority. Saying no on-time saves you time to focus on more important things. Learn how to set boundaries for yourself, so you don’t end up biting more than you can chew. 

11. Minimize Distractions

Anything that distracts you – emails, texts, social media – can make you lose focus and become less productive. Eliminate these distractions and take control of your time so you can get more work done. 

12. Deal With Stress Wisely

Stress can affect our productivity. We often feel stressed when we take on more work than we can accomplish. It’s crucial to identify what works for you when it comes to managing stress response. Find effective ways to deal with stress, including taking a short break, exercising, meditating, practicing a hobby, calling up a friend, or listening to music.

13. Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking sounds like you’re getting more tasks at once. But, studies have proven that it actually hampers productivity. Therefore, rather than multitasking and splitting your attention between a few different tasks, focus on getting one task done and moving on to the next. This small change can improve your outcomes. Bonus: You’ll feel less drained! 

14. Use the 20-Minute Rule

The 20 minute increment block is one of the most essential time management skills. Prepare to tackle an important task and set the alarm for 20 minutes. Focus singularly on the task and give it your best shot until the alarm rings. Now decide if you’re going to put the task down or finish it. Repeat until you’ve completed the task.   

15. Take Time Off

Sometimes the best thing to do is give your mind a break from the task at hand. Taking a break is a great way to give your brain a chance to reset. It enhances focus and creativity and results in better problem-solving.  

16. Build a System and Follow It Diligently

Try out different techniques and figure out what suits you the best. Put the selected methods together to build a system that works and helps you improve. Follow the system regularly to get the most value out of it. 

 Here are some effective strategies to improve your time management skills:

• Prepare and follow a schedule strictly: Create a daily or weekly schedule outlining your tasks and commitments. Understand the time needed for each task and assign specific time slots. Make a conscious effort to adhere to your schedule as closely as possible to maintain organization and focus.
• Set boundaries for yourself: Learn to say no to tasks or activities that don't align with your priorities or goals. Set clear boundaries with others to avoid unnecessary interruptions or distractions. Protect your time by minimizing time-wasting activities such as excessive social media browsing or aimless web surfing.
• Fix deadlines: Assign deadlines to your tasks, whether they are personal or work-related. Assigning deadlines helps create a sense of urgency and enables you to prioritize your work effectively. Be sure to set realistic deadlines considering each task's complexity and importance.
• Set long- and short-term goals: Define your long-term goals clearly and break them into smaller, actionable short-term ones. Having specific goals provides clarity and motivation. Set deadlines for achieving your goals and regularly review your progress.
• Manage your calendar effectively: Use a calendar or a digital planning tool to manage your appointments, deadlines, and important dates. Dedicate specific blocks of time for different activities, including work, breaks, and personal time. Regularly review and update your calendar to stay on top of your commitments.
• Prioritize your assignments: Determine which tasks are most important and need immediate attention. Prioritizing helps you focus on high-value activities and prevents you from getting overwhelmed by less important tasks. Consider using techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks based on urgency and importance.
• Practice effective delegation: Learn to delegate tasks to others when appropriate. Identify and assign tasks that can be done by someone else. This will help you focus on higher-priority tasks and improves overall productivity.
• Minimize multitasking: While it may seem efficient, multitasking often leads to decreased productivity and lower-quality work. Instead, focus on one task and then move on to the next. This approach helps maintain concentration and produces better results.
• Take regular breaks: Avoid long stretches of continuous work as it can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Take short breaks between tasks to recharge your mind and body. Use these breaks for relaxation, physical activity, or any activity that helps you rejuvenate.
• Learn from your experiences: Engage in self-reflection to evaluate how you allocate your time and identify areas where you can make improvements. Assess your productivity patterns and identify any recurring time-wasting activities or habits. Use this self-reflection to adjust your approach and continually refine your time management skills.

Remember, improving time management skills is an ongoing process that requires self-discipline and commitment. By implementing these strategies consistently, you can achieve your goals more effectively.

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These practical time management skills can lead to a happier, more successful life because you’ll be able to focus and achieve your goals in less time. Use these strategies on a regular basis to extract maximum value out of them. With the everyday practice of prioritizing tasks and organizing them, you’ll be able to build a healthy relationship with time — which is key to a successful and more fulfilling life.  

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1. What is the best time management skill?

The best time management skill is subjective and may vary for each individual. However, one widely recognized effective skill is prioritization. Prioritizing tasks helps you identify and focus on the most important and urgent activities, ensuring you allocate your time and energy to the right things.

2. How can I manage my time?

To manage your time effectively, you can employ several strategies:

• Create a schedule or to-do list to organize your tasks.
• Set clear goals and deadlines for your activities.
• Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable task.
• Eliminate or delegate non-essential tasks.
• Use productivity techniques and tools such as time-blocking or the Pomodoro Technique.
• Minimize distractions and set boundaries to maintain focus.
• Regularly review and adjust your schedule based on progress and changing priorities.

3. How can I improve my management skills?

To improve your management skills, you can consider the following actions:

• Seek opportunities for professional development and leadership, communication, and problem-solving training.
• Learn from experienced managers or mentors through observation and seeking guidance.
• Develop strong organizational and planning skills to coordinate tasks and resources effectively.
• Enhance your interpersonal skills, including effective communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork.
• Continually seek feedback and reflect on your performance to identify areas for improvement.

4. Is time management a technical skill?

Time management is not typically categorized as a technical skill. Instead, it is considered a soft skill, which refers to personal attributes and behaviors that enable individuals to interact effectively with others and accomplish tasks efficiently. Time management involves abilities such as prioritization, planning, and self-discipline.

5. Why is time management important?

Time management is important for several reasons:

• Increased productivity: Effective time management allows you to accomplish more in less time, improving your productivity and efficiency.
• Reduced stress: By organizing and prioritizing your tasks, you can minimize the feeling of being overwhelmed and reduce stress levels.
• Improved focus and concentration: Proper time management helps you allocate dedicated time to each task, allowing you to concentrate and produce higher-quality work.
• Achievement of goals: By managing your time effectively, you can allocate resources and efforts toward accomplishing your short-term and long-term goals.
• Better work-life balance: Time management enables you to allocate time for work, personal life, hobbies, and self-care, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

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• Productivity |
• 29 time management templates and exampl ...

29 time management templates and examples to enhance efficiency

From daily to-dos to monthly editorial calendars, we’ve rounded up 29 time management templates and examples to get you started managing your time efficiently. Find out how each template can help you complete your to-do list.

Take a look at 29 time management template options and examples to find the one that fits your busy schedule. From daily agendas to monthly goals, these templates cover just about any situation. 

Ready to get started? Here are the 29 most helpful time management worksheets. 

Personal schedules and lists

Stay on top of your daily and weekly tasks with these time-management strategies.

1. Daily to-do list example

Best for: Daily goal-setting and prioritizing micro-tasks.

Daily to-dos are action items that you write down in a notebook or check via your to-do list software tool at the beginning of each day. Tracking your to-dos can help you ensure you’re getting all of your important work done for the day and that nothing is falling through the cracks. 

The act of writing down your daily deliverables helps you visualize the work you need to complete. Because everything is written down, you can easily understand each task’s priority and see which tasks you need to complete when.  At the end of the day, check your to-dos for tomorrow so you can start the day with your best foot forward. 

2. Checklist example

Best for: Ordering daily deliverables in sequential order. 

The way you organize your to-do list can impact how and when you complete tasks. By creating a checklist, you can ensure your deliverables are clearly defined and in sequential order by priority.

A checklist time management template can be categorized from most important to least important, so you can ensure your highest-priority tasks are completed first. Plus, the act of checking off each to-do can bring relief knowing that one less task is on your to do list.

3. Daily planner example

Best for: Planning daily activities to prevent unfulfilled goals. 

A daily planner is great if you frequently get overwhelmed by your daily to-dos and like to have a plan of action for your day. A daily or weekly planner is different from a to-do list because it accounts for more than just deliverables. It includes all moving parts of your day, including meetings, breaks, deliverables, and anything else that consumes your workday.

A study done in 2011 found that creating a plan can help offload the mental burden of unfulfilled goals. By planning your day around meetings, tasks, and project deliverables, you can have a daily roadmap that helps you time block and accomplish your action items.

4. Weekly schedule example

Best for: Planning your workload a week in advance to hit deadlines.

Beyond daily to-dos, it can be helpful to plan your work for the week ahead. This involves making a schedule of tight deadlines like daily tasks, open-ended deadlines like larger projects, and everything in between. 

You’ll then want to prioritize these tasks based on deadlines and importance as it pertains to team objectives. This way you can align goals to the work needed to complete them.

5. Simple example

Best for: Staying on track with micro-tasks.

When it comes to time management, simple is often better. If you already have a strategy in place but need a little more structure to the chaos a simple time management worksheet might be the solution for you.

A simple template might include a brief overview of weekly task lists and deadlines to hit. A checklist format would suffice for this option, but for those who prefer to visualize their work you can use a whiteboard calendar to make it fun. The difference is that a simple template only includes the next few tasks on your agenda, which keeps the layout straightforward.

Time tracking tools

Before you can manage your time, you need to understand how you're spending it. With these strategies, you can reclaim each minute of your day.

6. Time log example

Best for: Tracking task duration and workload allocation.

Logging your time is one of the most difficult parts about managing a structured plan. Between working on important tasks and responding to teammates in real time, where does the time go? 

Keeping a time log template can help you track how long it takes to complete work and allows you to analyze your daily, weekly, and monthly time allocations. Time log templates are useful for tracking how much time you’ve spent on past work, but they also help with future planning as well. Once you have a sense of how long each task takes, you can plan for future projects based on the estimated time it takes for each task to be completed.

7. Activity log example

Best for: Teams who work on multiple projects at the same time.

In a perfect world, your time would be spent only on completing your assigned tasks. Unfortunately, that’s not always the world we live in and many teams suffer from busywork which impedes on their overall efficiency. In fact, the average knowledge worker spends 60% of their time on work about work—things like searching for documents, chasing approvals, or attending status meetings. 

An activity template helps you track all activities you do in a day so you can identify and reduce work about work. For example, while you may only have two tasks to complete that day, you may also have two meetings to attend, a fire to put out with a past project, or miscommunication that needs to be cleared up with a teammate. Logging these activities can give you a clearer picture of where your time is being spent and present opportunities to improve your current processes.

8. Time budget example

Best for: Analyzing time allocations and budget details.  

You may be familiar with the saying “Time is money,” but how exactly can you ensure your time is being utilized efficiently? While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, tracking your time in correlation with your budget can help put your time allocation in perspective. 

You can do this by first tracking the time it takes you to complete each task within a project. Then assign a budget number to each entry by taking the project budget and dividing it by the time it took you to complete each task. While it may not be 100% accurate every time, you can get a rough idea of where your time is going and share it with stakeholders to increase visibility. 

9. Pomodoro technique example

Best for: Individuals that struggle with procrastination and are easily distracted.

If creating a daily or weekly to-do list makes you feel overwhelmed, you may want to try using the Pomodoro technique . This technique involves pairing focused work sessions with frequent short breaks, with the objective of boosting your productivity and reducing mental fatigue.

A common working time ratio is 25 minutes of working to 5 minutes of break. You can begin using this technique by scheduling your daily tasks around these 25-minute working blocks to have peace of mind that your to-do list will be complete at the end of the day.

Task prioritization techniques

When it comes to productivity, prioritization is key. Here are some tools to help you decide which tasks are urgent, and which ones can wait.

10. Priority example

Best for: Categorizing tasks based on importance for efficiency needs.

When you have a long to-do list ahead of you and back-to-back meetings, it can sometimes seem impossible to manage your time effectively while completing your tasks. That’s where priority planning comes in. 

A priority template can help you rank each task on your list by importance, ensuring your most important tasks are completed first. This can help organize your to-do list on even the busiest days. Try ranking each project on a scale of one to three, or color coding based on highest priority. 

11. Procrastination example

Best for: Teams that struggle with procrastination and efficiency issues.

We’ve all been there before—you have a long list of to-dos but find yourself putting them off until the last minute. Procrastination is something many of us struggle with, but there is a way to combat the negative effects. 

Creating a procrastination template can help you prioritize the top tasks needed to get done one day at a time. This will keep you from becoming overwhelmed by the longer weekly to-dos. You may also want to try a time management strategy like the Pomodoro technique where you work for short intervals of time and take frequent breaks to alleviate stress. The key is to try different methods and find the right one for you. Start by prioritizing the most important tasks, and move on to taking short breaks if you’re still struggling.

12. Someday example

Best for: Planning future projects that are lower in priority but still important.

We’re all guilty of keeping our focus on short-term tasks at least some of the time—after all, there are deadlines to be met. But it can be helpful to spend time considering long-term tasks you’d like to tackle some day. 

You can use a someday time management template to make a list of future projects you’d like to take on—either as a team or as an individual. That way, the next time you have a little extra free time you can work on your someday tasks. You can start by listing out project descriptions and then assigning teams that would be involved to get the ball rolling.

13. Free time example

Best for: Proactively prioritizing long-term projects. 

If you’re ever in a situation where your workload is light and you want to work on proactive action items, try using a free time template by listing out tasks on your someday list. You can start by breaking your someday tasks into their own work breakdown structure , where you’ll begin planning out smaller deliverables. 

These tasks can be larger business wants like an improved process or team wants like organizing a team bonding activity . Save these free time tasks for the end of the week when your priority tasks are finished and use it to catch up on projects you’ve been wanting to tackle. 

Team planning templates

Managing a team requires organization. With these templates, you can keep your team members aligned and make the most of everyone's time.

14. Team goals template

Best for: Aligning smaller tasks to larger project goals.

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to time management is connecting tasks to larger project goals. This is especially true for teams that typically work in silos and don’t have a connected platform for time management tracking. 

A way to combat this is by using team goal templates so all stakeholders understand the necessary project objectives and how their work connects to the larger picture. 

15. SMART goals example

Best for: Proactive goal-setting and task roadmapping.

If setting goals and tracking progress helps your productivity, then using a SMART goals template might be for you. SMART is an acronym that stands for S pecific, M easurable, A chievable, R ealistic, and T ime-bound. SMART goals help you hit ambitious goals with clear communication and alignment.

Communicating your goals ensures that you have transparency when it comes to aligning tasks and objectives. Plus, you can start each day with a clear roadmap and trackable metrics.

16. Action items example

Best for: Organizing daily or weekly action items by priority.

Another way to organize your workload is to highlight the most important action items of your day and accomplish those tasks first. This is called an action items template.

Scheduling your day around action items will ensure your priority tasks are accomplished by the end of the day. This will also allow you to work on important tasks for the rest of the week. 

17. Team brainstorm template

Best for: Creative teams that need help ideating effectively. 

Team brainstorming is a creative way to ideate new business opportunities. That said, without the right time management skills, your brainstorming meeting could end up being unproductive . That’s where a team brainstorm template comes in.

With a plan in place, everyone can add their ideas collaboratively in one shared document. Then, you can get together to talk through the top ideas and key action items. You can also try out different brainstorming techniques to find the meeting activity that best fits your team dynamic. 

18. Workflow example

Best for: Refining internal processes and procedures.

A workflow is an end-to-end process that connects the right people to the right data at the right time. Workflows are incredibly valuable, but they take time and effort to build.

Even with the right workflow management software , it may take some time to gain effective time management skills since it can be a challenging endeavor. But with the right template, you can plan, customize, and track the success of your workflows with ease. 

19. Employee onboarding template

Best for: Organizing new hire documents and training materials.

The hiring process is a crucial element in establishing group norms , setting company culture , and optimizing internal efficiency. But it can be a time-consuming task with new team members being onboarded continuously. Without the proper procedure, your new team members could be left without the resources needed to do their jobs effectively. 

An employee onboarding template standardizes your processes, aligns stakeholders, and creates an inclusive community from day one. By supporting your HR team and hiring managers, you can ensure your team has everything they need for the new hire’s first day of work . Then, pair the employee onboarding template with a 30-60-90 day plan and an actionable new hire checklist to streamline the process.

20. Meeting agenda template

Best for: Teams who struggle running efficient meetings.

Most of us have experienced a meeting in our professional careers that didn’t have an agenda. Without a proper meeting agenda, team members could be stuck wondering about the objective, and ultimately, it could end up as wasted time. 

With a meeting agenda template , you can keep your meetings focused and on track with clear objectives, action items, and post-meeting tasks. 

21. Sprint planning template

Best for: Development and product teams that work on tight deadlines.

Sprint planning is a project management methodology for product and engineering teams that breaks work down into smaller chunks. This helps prioritize work and plan for team capacity needs.

In order to effectively plan your sprints, you should use a sprint planning template which can help you better manage Agile projects by creating structure, assigning task owners, and planning sprint meetings.

Project planning templates

Projects contain lots of moving pieces. These templates and examples can help you stay on top of who's doing what, when.

22. Gantt chart example

Best for: Tracking project progress and task milestones. 

Gantt charts are horizontal bar charts used to illustrate a timeline of a project, program, or task. They provide a better way to track task progress, dependencies, and milestones . 

A Gantt chart template can significantly decrease the amount of time spent on daily task planning. By visualizing all of your work on a timeline, you get a clear sense of what’s coming up and how long each task will take. Think of a Gantt chart as an interactive approach to time management. 

23. Event planning template

Best for: Visualizing event deadlines and managing communication.

Event planning can be a stressful endeavor. You likely have dozens of deadlines and details to track at any given moment leading up to the event. This can wreak havoc on your usual time management strategy.

Using an event planning template can help you budget, visualize, communicate, and manage vendor requests all in one place. This can help you reach goals and turn emails into actionable tasks.

24. Design plan template

Best for: Connecting design deliverables to larger project milestones.

Designers may have a variety of tools to help them design, but what about a tool that helps plan the actual work? From initial concept to cross-team communication and ultimate approval, there are many moving parts.

With a design plan template , you can keep tasks organized and on time all while receiving approvals in one organized place. This helps you hit deadlines and keep creative milestones on track.

25. Editorial calendar template

Best for: Teams that have a robust content schedule and struggle with miscommunication.

Whether you’re creating blogs or press releases , if you work on a creative team, you have an editorial calendar to plan for upcoming content. This could be a literal calendar view or an organized list separated by weeks or months.

Visualizing your upcoming work in an editorial calendar is a great way to get a bird’s-eye view of what’s going live when. Not only does it give you a chance to plan ahead, but it also allows you to schedule your editorial needs around important company events or seasonal changes. 

26. Social media template

Best for: Organizing your social content around events and trends.

Social media can be complex to plan. From managing multiple profiles to staying up-to-date with new trends, having a strategic plan is key. A social media content calendar is a combination of your editorial plan and your upcoming social posts—all in an easy to visualize way that your cross-functional stakeholders can quickly access.

Using a social media template can make it easy to manage your publication schedule, schedule posts, and communicate with team members in a shared space. This prevents miscommunication and allows your team to stay on the same page.

27. Product launch template

Best for: Product teams that need help juggling multiple launches.

Successful product launches take careful planning and diligence. From creating goals to messaging and implementation, a lot can go wrong. Luckily, a product launch template can keep you organized and help expand your product portfolio. 

Whether you’re juggling a new product development process or need clearer directions, a product launch template can help you visualize your timeline, share goals, and keep communication all in one place. 

Business planning templates

When it comes to business planning, organization is key. Check out these templates to plan ahead and maximize efficiency.

28. Business strategy template

Best for: Connecting individuals to business goals and preventing silos.

A business plan is a roadmap that tells the story of who and what your business is. It’s often shared with executives, team members, and even investors. That’s why it’s so important to have a professional-looking document that helps communicate your strategy in as little time as possible.

There are many different elements you can choose to include in your business strategy template , such as processes, expenses, and overarching programs—all of which can be time-consuming to refine without the proper template. To jump-start the process, look for a strong business strategy template to help your team ideate and present your business strategy with your best foot forward. 

29. Sales pipeline template

Best for: Organizing sales opportunities and sharing them across teams.

Managing your sales pipeline is a tricky task that involves maintaining and tracking potential sales team opportunities. While this sounds simple enough, there are many moving parts that go into tracking your sales pipeline including opportunities, lead status, priority, stage, and estimated value, and more. 

With a sales pipeline template , your sales team can easily track account data and action items while prioritizing opportunities and sharing your pipeline with other team members. Plus, you can zero in on new leads, top accounts, and at-risk opportunities to build your pipeline.

Manage your time with templates

Managing your time can be a complex task, but with the right time management template you can better organize your daily, weekly, and monthly goals. 

If you’re looking to implement better time management for your entire team, consider trying task management software to track tasks in one shared place.

Related resources

How to prioritize tasks in 4 steps (and get work done)

How Asana uses work management to streamline project intake processes

Work schedule types: How to find the right approach for your team

Understanding the Pareto principle (The 80/20 rule)

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Self-Assessment • 18 min read

How Good Is Your Time Management?

Discover time management tools that can help you to excel.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

How Good Is Your Time Management: Things to Remember

• Time management is an essential life skill and one that will make a huge difference in your career.
• This quiz will show you what you need to improve in your approach to time management. It assesses the following aspect of time management: goal setting , prioritization , scheduling , procrastination , and managing interruptions .
• Use the results to find the right tools for your next step in improving your time management.

How often do you find yourself running out of time? Weekly, daily, hourly? For many people, it seems that there's just never enough time in the day to get everything done.

When you know how to manage your time you gain control of what you achieve.

Take this self-test quiz to identify the aspects of time management that you need most help with. The results will point you to the specific tools that will help you to work more efficiently.

For each statement, click the button in the column that best describes you. Answer the questions as you actually are, rather than how you think you should be, and don't worry if some of the questions seem to score in the "wrong direction." When you are finished, click the "Calculate My Total" button at the bottom of the test.

As you answered the questions, you probably had some insight into areas where your time management could use a pick-me-up.

Top Skills For Time Management

The following is a quick summary of the main areas of time management that were explored in the quiz, and a guide to the specific tools you can use for each.

Goal Setting (Questions 6, 10)

To start managing time effectively, you need to set goals. When you know where you're going, you can then figure out what exactly needs to be done, in what order. Without proper goal setting, you'll fritter your time away on a confusion of conflicting priorities.

People tend to neglect goal setting because it requires time and effort. What they fail to consider is that a little time and effort put in now saves an enormous amount of time, effort and frustration in the future. Mind Tools has two great articles on goal setting that are must-reads for everyone. If you are serious about time management, we suggest you start with  Personal Goal Setting and  The Golden Rules of Goal Setting . We also recommend  Treasure Mapping .

Prioritization (Questions 1, 4, 8, 13, 14, 15)

Prioritizing what needs to be done is especially important. Without it, you may work very hard, but you won't be achieving the results you desire because what you are working on is not of strategic importance.

Most people have a To-Do List of some sort. The problem with many of these lists is they are just a collection of things that need to get done. There is no rhyme or reason to the list and, because of this, the work they do is just as unstructured. So how do you work on To-Do List tasks – top down, bottom up, easiest to hardest?

To work efficiently you need to work on the most important, highest value tasks. This way you won't get caught scrambling to get something critical done as the deadline approaches. For information on how to start prioritizing your tasks, see Activity Logs , Prioritized To Do Lists , Prioritization ,  The Action Priority Matrix , and Eisenhower's Urgent/Important Principle .

Managing Interruptions (Questions 5, 9, 11, 12)

Having a plan and knowing how to prioritize it is one thing. The next issue is knowing what to do to minimize the interruptions you face during your day. It is widely recognized that managers get very little uninterrupted time to work on their priority tasks. There are phone calls, information requests, questions from employees, and a whole host of events that crop up unexpectedly.

Some do need to be dealt with immediately, but others need to be managed. Our article on  Managing Interruptions discusses how you can minimize your interrupted time.

However , some jobs need you to be available for people when they need help – interruption is a natural and necessary part of life. Here, do what you sensibly can to minimize it, but make sure you don't scare people away from interrupting you when they should.

Procrastination (Questions 2)

"I'll get to it later" has led to the downfall of many a good employee. After too many "laters," the work piles up so high that any task seems insurmountable.

Procrastination is as tempting as it is deadly. The best way to beat it is to recognize that you do indeed procrastinate. Then you need to figure out why. Perhaps you are afraid of failing? (And some people are actually afraid of success!)

Once you know why you procrastinate then you can plan to get out of the habit. Reward yourself for getting jobs done, and remind yourself regularly of the horrible consequences of not doing those boring tasks! For more help on recognizing and overcoming procrastination see our guide to  beating procrastination .

Scheduling (Questions 3, 7)

Much of time management comes down to effective scheduling of your time. When you know what your goals and priorities are, you then need to know how to go about creating a schedule that keeps you on track, and protects you from stress.

This means understanding the factors that affect the time you have available for work. You not only have to schedule priority tasks, you have to leave room for interruptions, and contingency time for those unexpected events that otherwise wreak chaos with your schedule.

The Importance of Time Management

The benefits of time management can't be overstated. We all need time management skills to make the most of life and work, so that we can make room for what's most important to us. Without time management, you'll be constantly battling to find time to get things done.

Just some of the benefits of time management include:

• Reduced stress
• Higher productivity
• Increased free time
• Decreased risk of making mistakes
• A better work-life balance

Time Management Tools

Time management requires a personal approach. The same techniques don't work for everyone.

Some people find it best to tackle the hardest things first. The concept of "eating the frog" was proposed by author Brian Tracey. The idea is to face head-on the most dreaded, difficult, unpleasent task and get it done straight away – then you'll be in a better position to take on the rest of your tasks without the difficult one hanging over your head.

Other people find it more motiviating to start off with some "quick wins." Start your day by completing any To-Do list tasks that take less than five minutes. You'll get satisfaction from seeing your list shrink quickly.

Another classic tool is the Pomodoro Technique. Developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s, the idea is to work in short bursts (usually 25 minutes) and then have a short break. The name for the method comes from the old-fashioned tomato-shaped kitchen timer. Once you've completed four "pomodoros," take a longer break.

Frequently Asked Questions About Time Management

1. What is time management?

Time management is all about planning how you divide your time between organizing and executing your different tasks. It's the process of orgnaizing your time in such a way that you're working smarter, not harder. But it's notoriously difficult to get right and many of us constantly feel like there aren't enough hours in the day.

2. Why is time management so important?

With good time management you can maximise your effectiviness in planning your days, weeks, and even years, to make the most of your time – by many measures one of the most important assets we have. With good time management, you'll be more productive, less stressed, and have more opportunity to focus on the things that really matter.

3. How can I improve my time management?

The top time mangement skills, listed above, are goal setting, prioritization, managing interruptions, beating procrastination, and effective scheduling. If you work on these areas, your time mangement will greatly improve and you'll find more time for the important things in life.

4. How can Mind Tools help me improve time management?

Mind Tools has a huge collection of time managment resources – featuring everything from writing the perfect To-Do list, creating an Action Priority Matrix, and an array of techniques for overcoming procrastination. These resources are available in articles, videos, infographics, podcasts, and more in-depth workbooks and short courses.

For more tools and tips, see our article, What Is Time Management? .

Time management is an essential skill that helps you keep your work under control, at the same time that it helps you keep stress to a minimum.

We would all love to have an extra couple of hours in every day. Seeing as that is impossible, we need to work smarter on things that have the highest priority, and then creating a schedule that reflects our work and personal priorities.

With this in place, we can work in a focused and effective way, and really start achieving those goals, dreams and ambitions we care so much about.

This self-test has not been validated and is intended for illustrative purposes only. It's just one of a large set that helps you evaluate your abilities in a wide range of important career skills.

If you want to reproduce this quiz, you can purchase downloadable copies in our Store .

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Comments (7)

I have children ya'll. Distractions are a given. How do I schedule for my teenagers to not be loud?

Tatiana Willier

about 1 year

Isaac Kajibwami

I can not plan my studies because every time I end up procrastination.

Megameno Angula

Interuptions are the most bad things that can avoid a person from fulfilling a certain task on the right time such as social media, family problems and depression.

Trevio Richter

I regularly need to set aside time in order to plan and schedule a new work to be done, when to start doing it and how to go about starting it. I need to calculate the time I spent doing an activity so that I can set out time and work accordingly, as per the given task. Although interruptions are inevitable, I need to know that I should handle and counter any interruption. I need to compose myself so as not too stress about deadlines and I need to prioritize commitment.

nangula geingos

i need to set a timetable that will enable me to do my work on time and to have enough time to do my academic work. I need to set certain goals for myself and make an action plan to follow it. Moreover, i need to balance my social life, family life and academic life.

Maria Fudger

I will need to set goals and give myself the time , so I know where I'm going and what has to be done. I need to prioritize the work that is important first and then work my way down my list of tasks. Make sure I can find time that is suitable, free from any distractions and interruptions. I would create a schedule for a balanced family life and for studying, give myself time to finish assignments so it can be handed in on time.

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Tips for time management in college

Julie holkovic shares her advice for managing time as a busy college student.

One challenge that many students face when transitioning to a college schedule and course load is how to manage their time.  This is especially important in engineering since students, aside from after their first year, do not get summers off due to the co-op schedule.

University of Cincinnati civil engineering student Julie Holkovic provides helpful time management tips that she has learned through her five years at the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Julie Holkovic

Civil Engineering

[email protected]

University of Cincinnati civil engineering student, College of Engineering and Applied Science Ambassador, and member of Chi Omega sorority.

Time management is something that is so critical as an engineering student with the course load because it is necessary to have free time to unwind. Through my time at UC, I have been able to keep great grades while also being on the executive board of a sorority, being involved in a student organization and spending lots of time with friends. 

Stay organized

Julie Holkovic was an executive board member of her sorority, a CEAS ambassador, and more during her time at UC. Photo/provided

The biggest piece of advice I have for time management is to keep track of everything in one place. Personally, I use my iPhone calendar for this, but Google calendar or different calendar apps are another option. I also utilize the Canvas to-do list on the mobile app. This feature lays out class assignments in chronological order by due date. This makes it easy to prioritize assignments and decide where to start when I sit down to do homework. 

Along with keeping everything organized in a calendar, I also set aside a block of time for homework at least twice a week and find it very helpful. For me, I always do homework on Sundays and another day throughout the week depending on my schedule each semester. When I get overwhelmed, it is much easier to take homework one step at a time, beginning with what is due the soonest and going from there. 

Having time to yourself is important. Keeping a calendar is helpful to give yourself more free time because it allows you to plan out your weeks in advance so you know when you need to set aside homework time. I also find it helpful to do assignments whenever I have a bit of free time because it allows me to keep my homework load at a minimum. 

Utilize organizational tools

The biggest improvement in my time management recently has been getting an iPad. The reason this helped me is because everything I need for my classes is in one place. For instance, I take notes on my iPad, do homework on my iPad, and store class files on my iPad. Having everything in one place like this makes both homework and studying easier because it is all together and ensures I will not lose anything. 

If you have an iPad, I love the note-taking app, Notability. If you do not have an iPad, that is no big deal. The main thing is to keep your assignments and schedule organized so you know where everything is and you can access it easily. How you choose to do that (whether it be an iPad, Google Calendar, a written planner) does not matter. 

Go to class

My final piece of advice is to always go to class. If you skip class, it will take you so much longer to try to teach yourself what you missed instead of learning from your professors. If you spend one hour in class learning the material, it will save you time in the long run. Odds are, it will take you much longer to try and teach it to yourself. The most important aspects of time management improvement are organization, writing down a schedule, and keeping track of your homework. I wish you all the best of luck and go Bearcats!

Featured image at top: UC student Julie Holkovic talks about the importance of time management as a student. Photo/Pixabay

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March 27, 2024

One challenge many students face when transitioning to a college schedule and course load is how to manage their time. This is especially important in engineering since students, aside from their first year, do not get summers off due to the co-op schedule. University of Cincinnati civil engineering student Julie Holkovic provides helpful time management tips that she has learned through her five years in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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International consultant on Public Finance Management and Gender Responsive Budgeting

Advertised on behalf of.

CHISINAU, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application deadline :.

15-Apr-24 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Time left :, languages required :.

English  

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background/Context

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. 

The work of UN Women in Moldova is guided by its new Country Strategic Note 2023-2027 , aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Moldova (2023-2027),   UN Women Global  Strategic Plan , National Programs and Strategies and aims to contribute to the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Strategic Note focuses on four main areas: 1) Ending Violence against Women; 2) Women’s Leadership and Governance; 3) Women’s Economic empowerment and 4) Humanitarian and Peace development nexus and UN Coordination on Gender equality.  

Based on the European Commission Implementing Decision on the Annual Action Plan in favour of the Republic of Moldova for 2022 NDICI-GEO-NEAR/2022/ACT-61535 EU4 Resilience and Governance , UN Women Moldova CO is implementing a four-year project (November 2023 – October 2027) under the name "Ending Violence, Expanding Livelihood Opportunities for Women and Accelerating Gender Governance in Moldova" (hereinafter EVOLVE4GE). The project is implemented in line with and in contribution to the Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) of European Commission " Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in External Action 2021–2025", adopted in November 2020, Country gender profile and its Country Level Implementation Plan – CLIP for the Republic of Moldova which aim to accelerate progress on empowering women and girls, and safeguard gains made on gender equality during the 25 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action . It will also support the Government to advance implementation of the gender equality commitments aligned with the EU candidacy status granted to the Republic of Moldova in June 2022.

The project builds on UN Women’s advocacy and past work in strengthening capacities for gender responsive governance, on the Country office best practices around women’s economic empowerment through business development and increased participation of women in sectors with high economic potential and high gender gap, as well as on lessons learned collected through the support provided to the Government in the development of integrated – survivor oriented – provision of assistance and establishment of specialist services for survivors of violence against women and girls.

The interventions will contribute directly to the implementation of the national priorities set the Government Programme on Gender Equality (2023-2027), The RoadMap for Economic Empowerment of Women, the National Programme on Ending Violence against Women (2023-2027), as well as to the gender responsive provisions of the  Public Finance Management Strategy (2023-2030) and Public Administration (2023-2030).

The project, initiated in November 2023, and is funded from the European Union. Its overarching goal revolves around the following outcome: By 2027, women and girls actively contribute to and reap the rewards of enhanced gender-responsive policies, customized economic empowerment initiatives, and easily accessible quality essential services.

One of the anticipated results of the EVOLVE4GE project is the enhancement of the capacity of both Central and Local Government authorities to design and implement gender-responsive policies. To achieve this, the project aims to strengthen the capacity of central and local Gender Equality Mechanisms (GEMs); offer customized assistance to the Ministry of Finance and other central budget users to integrate gender considerations into public finance management; build the capacity of public oversight institutions to incorporate gender perspectives into oversight and audit practices; and by providing comprehensive support to Local Public Administration for piloting gender-responsive budgets.

In this framework, UN Women within EVOLVE4GE project seeks to contract a consultant (here and after “The Consultant”) to entail provision of multi-faceted, expertise to state institutions including but not limited to Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection  (MLSP), Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalisation (MEDD) and other sectoral ministries to enable institutionalized introduction of GRB in Moldova, and recommendations from the Public Expenditure and Finance Accountability Assessment (PEFA) supplementary assessment on gender - and in line with the newly adopted Public Finance Management Strategy (PFM) for 2023-2030 and SDG indicator 5.c.1.

Duties and Responsibilities

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

More specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks, including but not limited to:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis aimed at identifying strategic entry points for Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) within the framework of the new Public Financial Management (PFM) reform.
• Develop guidelines for line ministries and establish a quality assurance mechanism involving the Ministry of Finance and other institutions coordinating gender equality efforts.
• Practice developed guidelines and procedures for GRD policy planning and budgeting in specific selected ministries.
• Develop methodology for GRB implementation for Budget Users and deliver trainings for budget users, based on the requirements in the budget circular.
• Design and deliver comprehensive training sessions for budget users, ensuring alignment with the specifications outlined in the budget circular.
• Provide technical support and mentoring to Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to apply GRB in the planning and execution of one budgetary programme, in line with the instructions from MoF.
• Support the MLSP to develop a GRB progress reports using consolidated gender budgeting documentation (plans and performance reports) to identify alignment with National Gender policies.
• Develop final report summarizing results (changes in capacities, key results achieved, lessons learned and recommendations).

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy, with the possibility of traveling to Moldova.

Competencies

Core Values: 

• Respect for Diversity 
• Integrity 
• Professionalism 

Core Competencies: 

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues 
• Accountability 
• Creative Problem Solving 
• Effective Communication 
• Inclusive Collaboration 
• Stakeholder Engagement 
• Leading by Example 

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:  

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values  

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women
•  Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Demonstrates very good understanding of and experience in communications and outreach/advocacy
• Ability to perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
• Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners

Work in teams:  

• Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree in public administration, social studies, development studies, gender studies and/or international relations, or any other degree relevant to the requirements of the TOR.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Up to 10 years of relevant professional experience in gender responsive governance and/or budgeting application either at the central or local level is required.
• At least 7 years of experience in designing and delivering training and/or mentoring programmes on gender equality and gender mainstreaming in policy making and budgeting is required.
• At least 7 years of experience in working on central government finance policies and processes – including medium-term budgeting program (MTBP), budgeting methodologies and approaches is required.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting and writing policies, reports, or guidelines, preferably in the context of gender analysis, budgetary programs, or gender-responsive budgeting initiatives; (Samples of previous work will be required.)
• Familiarity with country and regional context on gender equality is considered an asset.
• Previous experience working with international organizations is considered an asset.
• Fluency in written and verbal English is required.
• Knowledge of Romanian or Russian language is an asset.