Content Updated 02/04/2026
Everyone is given the same 24 hours in a day; however, it can sometimes seem like others are able to achieve more in that same time frame. You might find yourself wondering, “How do they get so much done?” Their secret is strong time management skills!
Being proactive about managing your time makes you more efficient at completing tasks. Efficient time management skills offer several benefits, including reduced stress, more free time, the ability to achieve your goals, and a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Want to learn Boardman Training Center (BTC)’s four tips for better time management? If so, then keep reading this blog!
1. Stay Organized
The first step to developing your time management skills is to become more organized. Organizing your tasks can help you understand what you have to do and ensure that it all gets done. Creating a to-do list of school assignments, work projects, personal tasks, or anything else you need to get done is a simple way to get an overview of what you need to complete and when. Then, you can go through your list and prioritize what is most important.
Organizing in a way that makes sense to you is essential, and the method that works best for you may be different from the one that works best for someone else. For example, using Post-it notes can help a kinesthetic learner, while color-coding may work better for a visual learner. By identifying your learning style, you can develop organizational strategies that work best for you.
Organization is also important for your computer and workspace. According to an Indeed article, having a clean workspace for studying or working can increase productivity. It is easy to feel overwhelmed when your workspace is cluttered, so it is important to keep your workspace organized for work or school projects.
2. Prioritize Your Tasks
Now that you have your list of tasks organized in a way that works for you, it is time to prioritize them by importance. When you prioritize your tasks, you take the time to determine which ones need to be completed first, helping you know where to start as you cross items off your to-do list.
One way to do this is to write down the deadlines for each item and move the earliest dates to the top of your list. For items without specific deadlines, break the tasks into smaller ones and set deadlines for each. For example, if you have an ongoing project, creating smaller assignments for yourself can help you stay on track and avoid procrastination.
3. Plan Ahead
So, you’ve successfully organized and prioritized your tasks, so now it’s time to create a plan to complete the items on your list. You can start out doing this daily, then move to planning your entire week at a time. Making a plan will help you stay on the path to success by showing you how to spend your time most efficiently. A great way to do this is to utilize an online or physical calendar to schedule your tasks in advance.
A tactic that works for some students and professionals is time blocking. Time blocking involves dedicating specific amounts of time to one particular task. This can help you stay organized and on task by allowing you to work on one thing at a time. Ensure that your plan includes breaks between tasks, especially larger items that will take longer to complete. Taking walks, exercising, or doing anything else you enjoy during these breaks can help you recharge your energy and stay focused throughout the day.
4. Give Yourself Deadlines
When planning your day or week, be sure to set a deadline for each task. Breaking a large task into smaller items that allow you to set measurable deadlines can be helpful in making sure you stay on track and complete every aspect of the assignment. In addition, planning ahead and setting deadlines will help you anticipate how long each task will take, so you can allow yourself enough time to complete the job.
Join BTC in 2026!
Learning valuable time management skills can contribute to your success now and in the future. At Boardman Training Center, we’re here to help you get started on your path to a new healthcare career in phlebotomy, EKG, medical assisting, or medical billing and coding! We work with you to help you manage your time and balance work, family, and school.
Get started on your journey to a new healthcare career by requesting information today!