Many students believe that lack of time is the problem. Between work, family, and school, it can feel like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. But the truth is, it’s not time that we need to manage—it’s ourselves. Time is a fixed resource. We all get the same 24 hours each day. The difference lies in how we spend it and the decisions we make. The more we realize this, the more control we gain over our schedules and our stress.
Shifting the Locus of Control
When you find yourself saying, “I just don’t have enough time,” pause and consider whether it’s truly time that’s the problem. More often than not, it’s our decisions about how we use our time that leave us feeling overwhelmed. If you’re balancing a full load of classes, a job, and maybe even family responsibilities, it’s easy to feel like you’re at the mercy of your schedule. But this mindset places your sense of control outside yourself, leaving you feeling powerless.
Instead, try shifting your focus inward. Ask yourself: What can I control in this situation? The answer is almost always how you choose to spend your time. Once you embrace the idea that time management is really about self-management, everything becomes more manageable. You begin to realize that you have more power than you thought.
Making Decisions with Purpose
The first step in managing yourself is to be intentional about your decisions. It’s not just about making to-do lists or blocking out time in a planner—it’s about making decisions that align with your goals. You need to ask yourself: What is most important right now?
When you prioritize, you stop treating every task as if it has equal importance. For example, scrolling through social media or checking emails might feel urgent, but it rarely contributes to your long-term goals. On the other hand, dedicating focused time to studying or completing a project moves you closer to success.
One of the most common pitfalls students face is filling their time with activities that feel productive but aren’t actually moving the needle. Multitasking is one of these traps—it feels like you’re getting a lot done, but it often leads to inefficiency and wasted energy. Think: throwing in a load of laundry, reading, answering a text message, and eating a snack all at once. Instead, focus on single-tasking. Give your full attention to one activity at a time, and you’ll be surprised how much more productive you become.
Building Routines that Work for You
Another way to take control is by creating routines. Routines help reduce the mental energy needed to make decisions throughout the day. When you have a clear routine, you don’t waste time wondering what to do next—it’s already decided.
For example, you might designate specific blocks of time during the week as non-negotiable study periods. These don’t have to be long—a focused 45-minute session can be more effective than three hours of distracted studying. What matters is the consistency and commitment to showing up for that time, just as you would for a job.
When you build these routines, you also start to see where your time goes. Instead of saying, “I didn’t have time to study,” you can more accurately reflect and say, “I chose not to study during that time.” This subtle shift empowers you to make different choices next time.
The Power of Small Wins
Once you take ownership of how you spend your time, start small. One of the biggest barriers to productivity is the feeling that tasks are too big or overwhelming. Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable steps. Instead of focusing on writing an entire paper, start with an outline. Instead of reading an entire chapter, commit to reading for 15 minutes.
These small wins accumulate. Each one builds momentum, showing you that progress is possible. The more progress you make, the more motivated you’ll feel to keep going. Taking action > thinking about taking action.
Taking Breaks: Rest is Productive
Part of managing yourself effectively is understanding when to take breaks. Many students push through their exhaustion, believing that more hours spent studying will lead to better results. However, research consistently shows that our brains need rest to function at their best.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, it’s often a sign that you need to step away for a bit. Short breaks to reset your mind can increase your productivity when you return to the task. Try active breaks like a quick walk, stretching, or even a few minutes of mindfulness to clear your mind. You might find that creating space in your schedule leads to more creative thinking and spontaneous problem-solving and idea generating.
Shifting from “I Can’t” to “I Choose”
The key to mastering time management is recognizing that every moment involves a choice. When you feel like saying, “I don’t have time for this,” reframe it as, “I’m choosing not to prioritize this right now.” This doesn’t mean that everything can or should be done—sometimes there are simply too many demands. But by recognizing that you have control over how you spend your time, you empower yourself to make decisions that align with your goals.
In the end, time management is about self-awareness and self-discipline. It’s about making the conscious decision to invest your time where it matters most and letting go of the need to do everything. The more you practice this mindset, the more confident you’ll feel in managing your responsibilities and finding balance.
These changes may feel big and counter-intuitive. But with the right support, you can transform the way you think about and use your time. Connect with our team today and discover how implementing these mindset shifts can impact how you navigate your upcoming exams, report writing, and or semester planning. Book a free 15-minute phone consultation or a first therapy session with Centre Wellness here.
