Written by Emma Yi Kwan Lau

Summer has gone by quickly and we are already in our first weeks of the new academic year! It can feel a bit weird to get back into the university life after a long summer break. I want to share approaches I adopted for the start of the term, which will hopefully be useful for you to settle in smoothly and quickly.

I would like to start by congratulating all our first years for securing your place at the University of Bristol and warmly welcoming our fellow returners. Regardless of your academic discipline, it is important for us to make a yearly plan, including both academic timetables and personal life schedules, such as part-time work and social activities. Juggling many responsibilities can be overwhelming, so effective time management is pivotal to help us stay on track!

Although a teaching timetable with in-person sessions is provided to us and embedded into our Microsoft Calendar, it is up to us to organise time needed for independent learning such as research, further reading, revision or assessment preparation. It is not uncommon to accidentally double book yourself, especially if you are having a busy week (I have done that before too)! Therefore, planning ahead of time will be incredibly useful in reducing the chance of that happening.

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Making Use of your Outlook Calendar

There are numerous online calendars out there that are available for us to aid time management. One of the most useful ones I found is Outlook Calendar. As the University uses Microsoft as the main communication platform, it will automatically synchronise everything from your timetable or teaching meetings to Outlook Calendar. I also block out specific times in my Outlook Calendar for self-directed learning tasks for more efficient task management.

Although the most convenient option, from my perspective, is using Outlook Calendar for planning your schedule, you could also use the Apple or Google Calendars which can be easily synchronised with your Outlook! Your Outlook Calendar can also be exported into other applications such as Timetree and Notion. However, the process is more complicated. If you are interested, please see the guides provided in the useful resources section. An example of how your Outlook calendar will appear in Notion is attached below.

Creating To-Do Lists

In addition to using a digital calendar, I also found creating a to-do list to prioritise tasks beneficial. For example, I use Notion to-do list to keep track of the tasks. Other options include Trello, Todoist, Habitica and Microsoft To Do . My friend studying Mechanical and Electrical Engineering has found using Trello to create a structured weekly schedule extremely helpful to prioritise tasks and set reminders for upcoming deadlines. To try it out, I have created a Trello account and I would say the format of the board can be really useful to help track your progress in comparison to some platforms such as Todoist. A similar platform to Trello would be Microsoft Planner. It offers the same function as Trello but as a student we have the paid subscription as part of the Office 365 package. Therefore, I would definitely recommend having a look at that. However, everyone has different preferences on the layout of a productivity app. I have attached screenshots of the applications I mentioned for your reference. All of these tools offer a free basic service which is sufficient for managing our daily tasks.

Notion

Trello

Microsoft Planner

Todoist

Habitica

Microsoft To Do

Selecting the Right Tools

After discussing all the above digital tools, you may feel a bit overwhelmed and not sure which one to choose. Considering the following factors, may help with making the decision:

Compatibility: Ensure the tool integrates well with the University’s systems (e.g., syncs with Outlook).
User Interface: Choose a tool with a layout and design that appeals to you and is easy to navigate.
Features: Look for features that match your needs, such as task prioritisation, reminders, or progress tracking.
Accessibility: Consider whether you need access across multiple devices (computer, phone, tablet).
Learning Curve: Evaluate how much time you’re willing to invest in learning a new system.

Remember, the most sophisticated tool isn’t always the best choice. Sometimes, simpler options can be more effective, if they suit your workflow better. Please remember to check the Data Privacy policy before using any of the third-party tools to understand how they use your data. Most companies put their Data Privacy at the bottom of the homepage under the heading Privacy.

Although this blog focuses on digital tools, it is also important to balance between digital and traditional time management methods. I find that combining digital calendars with physical planners or bullet journals works best for me. Experimenting with different approaches to find what suits your learning style is the key to staying organised.

University support

The Study Skills Service offers a range of support to help students advance time management. They have created a useful resource that elaborates on how to manage your time effectively and prevent procrastination and a student blog that shares students’ experiences on time management.

If you are looking for in-person support, you can book on tutorials with Study Skills tutors or a drop-in at Senate House to speak with one of the Student Advocates.

Conclusion

Effective time management is crucial for academic success and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. By utilising digital tools like Outlook Calendar, to-do list apps, and other productivity software, you can better organise your schedules and prioritise tasks. However, remember that the key is finding a system that works for you, which may involve a combination of digital and traditional methods.

As you begin this new academic year, take some time to explore different time management strategies and tools. Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust your approach as needed. With practice and persistence, you’ll develop a time management system that helps you stay on top of your studies while still leaving time for personal activities and relaxation.

Good luck with your studies, and here’s to a productive and balanced academic year!