Progressing at Your Own Pace: Tips and Tricks to Better Manage Your Time

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Photo by Austin Lee

Over the past few months, I’ve been running at full speed, juggling a million different responsibilities. I managed a successful state Senate campaign, worked for the Honors College, served at a restaurant, edited for the Massachusetts Daily Collegian, and maintained a full course load. Just thinking about the past 11 months already wears me out. Although it seemed intimidating, this workload was manageable, and I learned crucial time-management skills that I want to share with you.

Make Your Bed

Interestingly enough, my first piece of advice might seem like a waste of time. If I were striving for complete efficiency, I wouldn’t bother making my bed daily. After all, I’m going to sleep in it later that night—what’s the point?

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Before coming to UMass Amherst, I rarely made my bed. It usually took numerous pleas—or light bribery—from my mother before guests came over to get me to do it. This changed after my first night at college. My roommate woke up and made his bed. I was shocked. How could he complete this “laborious” task at 7 a.m.? I couldn’t let him win this made-up cleanliness competition, so I made my bed that morning too. Hundreds of mornings later, it’s now a daily habit.

Making my bed has become the start of my routine and the first accomplishment of my day. It’s like striking a flint to start the fire of the day. On the rare occasions when I don’t make my bed, my demeanor feels noticeably different—I’m sluggish, unproductive, and unmotivated. To tackle long days, I always begin with a made bed, and you should too.

Keep a Calendar

Every time I’ve asked for time-management tips, someone always says, “Keep a calendar.” I used to think this was pure baloney. Why would I need a calendar? Not much happens in my life, and I had always managed to keep track of what did happen.

But as my responsibilities grew, so did my obligations. Suddenly, there were surprise assignments, unexpected meetings, and missed events. I didn’t have the bandwidth to keep track of it all.

At a previous internship, the district director encouraged me to “keep a calendar.” Hers was a thing of beauty: a color-coordinated masterpiece with staff appointments, local events, and detailed explanations for every entry. It was like watching a rainbow of efficiency. Inspired, I started an online calendar—and I haven’t looked back.

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Every Sunday afternoon begins with a look at my calendar. I add assignments, deadlines, events, and meetings for the week. In just 30 minutes, I’ve planned my entire week and allocated time for each task.

That said, calendars aren’t for everyone. They can be tedious to maintain and easy to forget. For those who dislike online calendars, I recommend an alternative: tape a dozen sticky notes to your desk with immediate “to-dos.” I learned this trick from an Army captain who explained that they’re taught to think three hours ahead and focus on the mission at hand. Sticky notes serve the same purpose—they keep top priorities in focus, preventing distractions from long-term tasks.

Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Steady progress is key.

Routine, Routine, Routine

I’ve said this many times before, but I’ll say it again: I love routines. I eat the same breakfast, maintain the same schedule, and wake up at the same time every day. Routines bring a sense of comfort and help me budget my time effectively.

For instance, on Mondays and Wednesdays, I set aside two hours in the morning for one assignment and two hours in the afternoon for another. Tuesdays and Thursdays follow the same pattern, giving me a clear idea of what I can accomplish with the rest of my time.

Oddly enough, sticking to a routine has made me better prepared for unexpected changes. If I receive an unexpected assignment or appointment, I know my other tasks are already completed, thanks to my routine.

The best way to stay organized and ready is to stick to a routine.

Work Hard, Rest Harder

I love doing nothing. It’s one of my favorite things not to do. There’s nothing like lying down and turning off your brain.

This semester, I’ve given myself 30 minutes a day to retreat to my dorm, lie down, and forget about everything. It’s usually after lunch, which always knocks me out before an afternoon class. Never underestimate the power of a nap—it’s better than coffee.

These moments of rest and relaxation are essential for recharging and preventing burnout. There were times when I felt like gray hairs were coming in because of the stress. But I always tried to give myself at least one day to relax and tune out the noise. Sometimes that meant rotting in bed all day; other times, it meant staying out with friends until 3 a.m. Either way, I felt recharged and ready to face the week.

Take the break. You deserve it.

Take it Easy

If you take away just one piece of advice, let it be this: Don’t do what I did. I recognize the irony of saying this, but sometimes juggling a dozen hats isn’t worth it. My circumstances were the perfect mix of luck, timing, and maybe divine intervention. If you’re getting four hours of sleep and working seven days a week, stop. Overworking yourself and maintaining destructive habits isn’t worth it.

It’s okay to take things slow and progress at your own pace. Remember, the tortoise beat the hare in the end.

Photo by Austin Lee