“Time is the scarcest resource, and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed.” That’s a quote from management expert Peter Drucker, and it hits home, doesn’t it? For those of us in PGDM or MBA programs, life can get pretty hectic.
We’re juggling tough coursework, group projects, internships, networking events, and, let’s not forget, personal responsibilities. When time isn’t managed well, it’s no wonder many students end up feeling stressed, burned out, and scrambling at the last minute.
So, how do we tackle this? It boils down to mastering the three Ps—Plan, Prioritize, and Perform. With some focused scheduling, you can boost your productivity, lower those stress levels, and find a balance between your PGDM/MBA life and personal life.
Plan: The Cornerstone of Efficient Time Management
Planning, does it really matter? Absolutely! A solid plan can be the difference between chaos and clarity. Without a clear schedule, tasks get overlooked, deadlines slip away, and stress just skyrockets.
How to Make a Successful Plan?
- Use the Right Tools: Whether you prefer digital or paper planners, find what works for you. Apps like Microsoft To-Do, Trello, Notion, or Google Calendar are great for tracking deadlines and meetings. Some folks love the feel of a paper planner for better focus. And hey, the time-blocking technique? It’s a lifesaver. Just carve out specific times for projects, study sessions, lectures, and yes, even breaks!
- Set SMART Goals:
– Specific: Be clear about what you want to achieve (like “Finish that marketing assignment by Friday”).
– Measurable: Keep track of your progress (for example, “Study one chapter a day”).
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– Achievable: Make sure your goals are realistic.
– Relevant: Connect your tasks to your longer-term goals (like “Prep for those internship interviews”).
– Time-Bound: Set deadlines to keep yourself accountable.
- Weekly and Monthly Reviews: Take a moment on Sundays to reflect on the past week. What worked? What didn’t? Adjust your schedule for the upcoming week and, please, cut out those time-wasters—like mindless scrolling through social media or gossiping in meetings.
Prioritize: Focus on What Really Counts
Over committing is a real challenge for MBA or PGDM students. With so many responsibilities—clubs, competitions, networking, and classes—it’s easy to stretch yourself too thin if you don’t prioritize.
How to Set and Maintain Priorities:
- The Eisenhower Matrix: This tool helps you sort tasks by urgency and importance. Remember what President Eisenhower said? “What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important.” This matrix breaks your tasks into four categories:
– Urgent & Important (Do now): Think exams or project deadlines.
– Important but Not Urgent (Schedule): Activities like skill-building or networking.
– Urgent but Not Important (Delegate or minimize): Some emails or minor errands.
– Neither Urgent nor Important (Eliminate): Time-wasters, plain and simple.
- Try the Pare to Principle, or 80/20 Rule: It’s all about focusing on the 20% of your efforts that yield 80% of your results. So, focus on those high-impact assignments!
- Experiment with the ABCDE Method:
– A (Must Do): Critical tasks, like studying for exams.
– B (Should Do): Important but not urgent (like reading case studies).
– C (Nice to Do): Low priority items (like optional workshops).
– D (Delegate): Hand off tasks when possible (like splitting up work in group projects).
– E (Eliminate): Cut out distractions.
Perform: Execution with Discipline
Now, let’s get real—why do students procrastinate? Even the best plans can fall flat without execution. Procrastination often comes from feeling overwhelmed, lacking motivation, or fearing failure.
Over committing is a real challenge for MBA or PGDM students. With so many responsibilities—clubs, competitions, networking, and classes—it’s easy to stretch yourself too thin if you don’t prioritize.
Ways to Boost Your Performance:
- The Pomodoro Method: Work for 30 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four cycles, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. It’s a great way to stay focused without burning out.
- The Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it right away. Responding to an email? Get it done!
- Find Accountability Partners: Having mentors or study groups can help keep you on track.
- Reward System: Small rewards, such as a short walk or coffee break, playing a song that you prefer most, boost motivation when the job is done.
2.Floating Personal Life, Extracurricular Activities, and Academics
- Academic Time Management
- Active learning comprises imparting concepts to fellow classmates, utilizing flashcards, and condensing lectures.
- Group Studies: Study with others to enhance understanding and productivity.
- Managing Extracurricular Activities
- Only take a membership of one or two clubs which align with your professional goals.
- Conduct networking events or competitions over the weekends.
- Key Self-Care for Optimal Performance
- Do not settle with 7–8 hours of sleep daily.
- 60 minutes of Brisk Walk can make you feel less stressed.
- Do some mindfulness exercises for just 10 Minutes (journaling, meditation).
Practical Examples of Efficient Scheduling
The Daily Schedule of the Topper
- 6:00 AM: Wake up, exercise, and do meditation.
- 7:30 AM: Review your daily goals.
- From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Classes, homework, and group meetings occur
- 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM: Skill development online courses.
- 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM: Rest and sleep.
The Strategy of the Internship Applicant
- Weekdays: Focus on your studies.
- Weekends: Practice for interviews, LinkedIn networking, and resume making.
Discipline Is the Key to Success PGDM/MBA students having the skills of Plan, Prioritize, Perform are well ahead of their counter-parts. A balanced life is guaranteed, productivity is enhanced, and stress is minimized with effective scheduling.
Students can attain academic success and personal development by adopting these measures, which will enable them to transform their MBA journey from disarray to command.
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