I am 28, a student of online University. .How should I manage my time in the day so that I can get adequate time to study ? What other activities do you recommend?

Ans: Time management is the key to success.
Productivity is not through number of hours but through quality of time to be spent at each course.Smart study hours along with continuous schedules should help. Be consistent in the efforts and maintain a log for understanding how he has planned vs spent his day.

Ans: Dear Riya,

Firstly, let me applaud your determination and dedication towards your studies. Balancing preparations for multiple competitive exams alongside your board examinations is indeed a Herculean task, but fret not, as I'm here to assist you in navigating through this challenging yet exciting journey.

Sleep is undoubtedly vital for your overall health and academic performance. Burning the midnight oil is commendable, but if it comes at the cost of your well-being, it's time to tweak your schedule a bit. Here are some actionable tips to help you manage your time effectively while ensuring you get enough rest:

1. Strategize Your Study Schedule: Instead of cramming all your study hours into the night, distribute them throughout the day. Identify your peak productivity hours and allocate your most challenging tasks to those times. This will help you make the most of your study sessions without feeling overly fatigued.

2. Prioritize and Plan: Make a daily or weekly study plan, prioritizing topics based on their importance and your proficiency in them. Breaking down your study material into manageable chunks will not only make it less overwhelming but also ensure that you cover everything thoroughly.

3. Quality Over Quantity: Remember, it's not about how many hours you study but rather how effectively you utilize the time you have. Focus on understanding the concepts rather than just memorizing them. Utilize techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, and concept mapping to enhance your learning efficiency.

4. Take Regular Breaks: Incorporate short breaks into your study routine to prevent burnout and maintain concentration. Use these breaks to stretch, hydrate yourself, or indulge in a quick hobby to rejuvenate your mind.

5. Optimize Your Sleep Environment: Create a conducive sleep environment by ensuring your room is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. Limit exposure to screens before bedtime and establish a relaxing pre-sleep routine to signal your body that it's time to unwind.

6. Practice Self-Care: Don't neglect your physical and mental well-being amidst your rigorous study schedule. Make time for activities that you enjoy, whether it's listening to music, going for a walk, or spending quality time with loved ones. A well-rested and rejuvenated mind is more productive and focused.

7. Stay Flexible: Be open to adjusting your study schedule as per your evolving needs and circumstances. Flexibility is key to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and ensuring long-term success.

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will your academic journey be. Embrace the process, stay persistent, and don't hesitate to seek support from your teachers, mentors, or peers whenever needed.

As the saying goes, "Work smarter, not harder." So, equip yourself with effective study strategies, prioritize your well-being, and tackle those exams with confidence and determination.

Wishing you all the best in your endeavors, Riya! You've got this!

Ans: Hello Barua!!
I really want you to elaborate a little more.
I am assuming you are a working professional who is pursuing a BSc on the side and suggesting a few time management ways to help you...

List out all your tasks and activities in a day and over a period of two weeks. See how you are managing your time now by making a matrix of time for every 1/2 hour. Be accountable to every 1/2 hour, write down what you did every half hour.
It will be an eye opener on how you are spending your time.

There will be some activities that come under "should do" on your list, for example studying for your BSc, physical activity, eating food, etc.... schedule them and work all other activities around it. Keep life simple Barua and you'll be able to achieve much more. Focus on doing right and focus on your well being!!

All the best!!

Ans: Hey!!
Kudos to you for dreaming big and also working towards it by investing time and energy in learning and development.
Not everyone can do it... so pat yourself on the back for it!!

You are absolutely right when you say TIME MANAGEMANT is the key to avoid burnout. However I'll add compartmentalizing and self care along with time management.

Let's take them one at a time ...here I go-

1. You want to perform at your peak then self care is a must, 20 mins of physical activity(it can be anything, run, brisk walk, suryanamaskars, dancing along with fast paced music, anything that gets your heart beat up)
10 -20 mins of meditation, if you believe in the higher power make efforts to connect with it/him/her.
2. 9 to 6 be fully committed to the office, after that switch off, learn to say NO for anything that comes after this time. You can do only so much right? This was one part of compartmentalizing...
3. be fully present in whatever activity you are doing... this is ZEN, nothing more nothing less. This way you will be razor sharp in your focus and get jobs done faster. When you are studying don't think office and vice versa. This is switching off, this is compartmentalizing. This will take conscious efforts but is doable
4.your course is important to you, so schedule a study time and stick to it .The days you have an holiday too... try to relax a little, schedule a study time, finish your studies and go relax and unwind a little, you deserve it...don't cram too much in a day.
A relaxed mind will always perform better and focus better. I really can't tell you the importance of unwinding and mediation, you really have to do it to experience it and reap the benefits of it
5. Always encourage yourself, be your best cheer leader, don't beat yourself down, be kind to yourself too, your mind and body
need that from you. You are already doing so much.
6 .The only way to stop being overwhelmed is also to put out all your tasks of the day on paper and schedule it, prioritize it.... one task at a time, start taking action. And when the task is don't forget to strike the task out with a clean line over the task with a pen... this is a message your giving to your mind. ...'I got one task done, I am capable of getting another done'.. Ahaha... the joy of getting a job done!!
7. Get a good nights sleep, do "yog nidra' before sleeping
8. Always breathe deep whenever overwhelm creeps in and see how calm you become. A calm mind is key to getting more done.

And remember to write "your gratitude" out in the night before sleeping, you'll sleep peacefully and get up fresh.
Also do remember, all tasks can be done happily too... there is no need to drag yourself or be always overwhelmed!
You chose to work and study as well.... honour your choices joyously and go about life with a spring in your step...All best !!