Time Management Tips for Boot Camp Students

We’ve all been there—wishing for more hours in the day so we can get everything done. Some days are more productive than others, and other days we seem to get nothing done at all. Fortunately for you, we’ve come up with a few time management tips to help you be more efficient—when it’s all said and done, you might even have a little time left over for yourself!

Jot down your deadlines for all upcoming coursework and projects.

It might sound corny, but writing down everything can really help you stay on track. Buy a large calendar and fill in all your assignments. By visualizing deadlines on a calendar or a piece of paper, you’ll be able to prioritize what assignments you need to work on first, and see how many days you have left to get it done.

We know, we know. It’s 2017 and this is the age of technology. But with electronic reminders and alerts, it’s almost too easy to hit the ignore button to remind yourself later. Nine times out of 10, it can slip your mind or get lost in the shuffle of all of your app notifications. Go with the paper calendar—You’ll thank us later.

Dedicate a certain number of hours in the day to practice and coursework, and stick to it.

So you’re the scatterbrained type, or you’re a professional procrastinator. Either way, this one’s for you. Being able to dedicate (and stick to) a set schedule for your studies outside of class is crucial to your success as a boot camp student. Find a block of time when you know you’re always available every day, and make this your regular practice time. Kind of like a job, once you get into the groove of things, it’ll be second nature.

Setting yourself up with a routine will help you get things done, and in a timely manner too because you’ll have a  dedicated time slot. If a conflict arises and you’re unable to stick to your normal schedule, make sure you can swap out another chunk of time in place of your usual work time.

Don’t let yourself get distracted.

Cell phones, email, kids, the oven buzzing to let you know dinner is done-—whatever it is, don’t let these things get in the way of your study time. We all want to multi-task to feel productive, but in some cases it isn’t always beneficial.

Secluding yourself in a quiet work zone where you have minimal distractions is key. Have a quiet, comfortable study area where you can be free of all other interruptions. You’ll be thankful in the long run when you’re able to absorb class material more easily and you’re not struggling to stay on top of your work.

Ask for help before it’s too late.

If you’re struggling to grasp a concept, never be too stubborn to ask for help. Doing this in the early stages can help save you a lot of time, frustration, and self-doubt.

Go to your instructor or ask a friend for help before you fall too far behind. You have all the resources you need to guide you to the solution, so use them to your advantage.

Not everyone is great at time management, but we’re here to help. Boot camps aren’t easy, but with the right amount of planning, focus, and determination, you can make it work for you. Establish a routine, plan out your days, and crush your goals!