As an international student, one of the most crucial aspects of my life here is managing my finances while pursuing my studies. Many international students, like myself, opt for part-time jobs to cover expenses such as rent and living costs.
My Current Situation
However, despite promising myself to enhance my time management skills this year, I find myself still struggling in this area. Nevertheless, I manage to balance my study and work commitments adequately.
The main challenge I face is the absence of a structured routine to effectively manage my time. I work as a customer assistant in the alcohol department at West Denton Morrisons, where I assist customers and manage stock on my shifts. Although I enjoy this job and find physical demands help me sleep better, I often neglect productive or study-related activities on workdays.
I work on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, while Thursdays and Fridays are dedicated to college. Mondays and Tuesdays, being my days off from work and college, are when I focus on my studies and career development. Exploring the city and new cultures is something I rarely get to do due to time constraints. Therefore, my visit to the Baltic Gallery was a rare opportunity for me to explore Newcastle.
My Time Management Strategy
I follow the principle of “eating that frog,” a concept endorsed by Brian Tracy, where I tackle challenging tasks first to make the rest of my day more manageable and enjoyable. While I do not have a fixed routine, I typically spend my free days, Mondays and Tuesdays, starting at 9AM, connecting with family and friends, working on projects, and watching career-oriented videos and podcasts.
Areas of Improvement
- To enhance my time management skills further, I plan to make the most of every available moment, especially as deadlines approach.
- I have recently started making task notes in a diary, successfully completing tasks on time.
- Additionally, I aim to eliminate half-hearted efforts by breaking down tasks into smaller parts, making the process less overwhelming.
These strategies form the basis of my daily routine to ensure that I utilize my time wisely as an international student.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as an international student navigating a demanding academic workload, mastering time management is essential for success. By incorporating these time management techniques into my daily routine, I can make steady progress towards my goals and maintain a sense of control over my schedule. With discipline and determination, I am confident that these strategies will help me succeed in achieving academic excellence.
Resources :
- https://www.facebook.com/jamesclear and Clear, J. (2013). 3 Time Management Tips That Will Improve Your Health and Productivity. [online] James Clear. Available at: https://jamesclear.com/time-management-tips.
- Patel, U. (2024). Exploring the Baltic Gallery: A Journey of Memories – Urvish Patel. [online] Urvish Patel’s Reflective Blog. Available at: https://urvish.me/exploring-the-baltic-gallery-a-journey-of-memories/ [Accessed 10 Apr. 2024].
- Theiss, D. (2023). Library: College Success Skills: Taking Notes/To-Do Lists. [online] library.park.edu. Available at: https://library.park.edu/c.php?g=1226750&p=8976815 [Accessed 10 Apr. 2024].
- www.morrisons.jobs. (n.d.). Customer assistants | Morrisons Careers. [online] Available at: https://www.morrisons.jobs/our-teams/retail-team/retail-roles/customer-assistants.
- Greene, J. (2023). Eat the frog: a practical approach to reaching your goals | Zapier. [online] zapier.com. Available at: https://zapier.com/blog/eat-that-frog/#:~:text=Applied%20to%20work%2C%20the%20%22frog [Accessed 10 Apr. 2024].
