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Today we’ve decided to do something we’ve never done before. We are introducing a new type of content on the Nerdify blog – Nerdify Reviews. From now on, we are going to be reviewing books/podcasts/movies/ etc., that we think can add value to students and are interesting even to the general public. Nerdify Reviews is going to appear on our blog every month, so stay tuned, lot’s of great content coming your way!

For our first “Nerdify Reviews” we’ve chosen a brilliant book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. We think it’s a must-read for pretty much anyone, it’s in our company’s library and it has amazing reader-reviews online.

So, without further due, let’s jump into it. The book describes 7 habits that are aimed to boost your productivity and general motivation to achieve your life goals. These are the habits:

* Be Proactive

Imagine 2 circles in your life – one is the circle of concern (that’s the stuff you are worried about) and within that circle there’s a circle of influence (that’s the stuff you can actually have certain control over – your relationships, work, health, etc).  Being proactive means only be concerned about things YOU HAVE CAN INFLUENCE. That will save you a lot of time you waste worrying about stuff you have zero control over (no point about worrying about whether the Earth will be struck by an asteroid – there’s pretty much nothing you can do about it, mate). So habit number 1 – be proactive.

* Being With An End In Mind

Imagine you are at a funeral. At your funeral (ok, it’s not real, just bare with us for a sec). Ask yourself the following question: “What do I have to say about myself”. Do you want people to say that you were an amazing friend? A great boss? A business leader? But are you actually DOING things that will make people say all of that about you?

In the modern world, it’s really easy to get distracted. Always have the end in mind and CONSTANTLY do a reality check whether you are doing things that get you closer to the end goal?

Learn to say no. This is actually one of the Steve Job’s superpowers – saying no to things that do not get your closer to your goal.

* Put First Things First

This is actually about setting the priorities right. Look, life is FULL of events and opportunities. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to do everything you want. There are only 24 hours in 1 day. And your workday may be full of interruptions. So, learning how to set up your priorities right will go a long way. Answer to yourself “what is the most IMPORTANT thing I have to do right now and how URGENT I have to do that”. Based on that – construct your to-do-list.

* Think Win-Win

This is a very powerful mentality, especially if you want to work in business and be an entrepreneur. Our world is not a zero-sum game (meaning that in order for you to win, someone has to lose). By far in most cases, you can always find a win-win scenario. Usually, people who think that, have integrity, maturity and abundance mentality (meaning they actually believe there’s enough for everybody).

* Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood

This is the holy grail of any negotiations. You have the following “levels of listening” – ignoring, pretending to listen, selective listening and active. Now, you might think that active listening is the maximum level of attention you can dedicate to your counterpart. But it’s not true. The highest level of listening is Empathic listening. This is when you are trying to understand both the content and feelings of your counterpart. It’s as if you are putting yourself in “their shoes”. By doing so you can actually understand what the other person truly feels are really wants. It’s absolutely vital if you want to be a successful negotiator.

* Synergize

This actually is a natural extension of habit 4 and habit 4. When working in a team being able to negotiate and find win-win scenarios is incredibly important. But, being able to unite a few people who have skill sets in different areas – that’s what makes up a very strong team. Always look for opportunities where you can achieve an additional value out of the partnership due to synergize.

* Sharpen The Saw

Imagine a guy cutting a tree with a saw. He is exhausted, he has been working for hours. You approach him and say “Hey, why don’t you take a break and sharpen that saw – you’ll cut the tree down much sooner this way” and the person replies “I don’t have time for this, I have to cut down this tree”. See the problem here?

There’s no point taking on a task if you haven’t prepared for it! Make sure you spend an adequate amount of time PREPARING and planning how you are actually going to execute your task.

This is it, that’s our first review, we hope you liked it. If you want us to review some other books, please let us know in the comment section below 🙂 Nerdify is always trying to provide useful content. Check out our previous story about Secrets behind great success.

Living in the world of technology and a constant exchange of information, our minds are constantly running several tasks at once, which makes it extremely difficult to memorize things. Our Nerdify reviews team decided to explore this issue a little bit further to come up with a list of helpful methods that would keep our brains active and relaxed at the same time. As an example, we started asking each other about what helps us to memorize or keep things in the active particle of our brain. It appears that some of us learn with the help of visual associations, while others memorize things according to their importance to them.

1. Visual Association. The most popular method to memorize things is to approach various visual associations that relate to important concepts, unknown words, or even entire processes that relate to such complex matters as nursing or the law. It is the method that is also used by intelligence all over the world since the visual aspect motivates our brain and helps us to keep things refreshed each time we think of a certain picture, image, or drawing. It is also a reason why the use of flashcards is so important not only for young children but for college students as well.

2. The Order of Importance. One person at the Nerdify reviews has surprised us by saying that she memorizes only those things that seem important to her. While it may sound true for most cases, it still poses a question as to how one can keep those not-so-important things in mind. A solution has been found in a while as another person in our team came up with an example of college assignments. All it takes is making things important by changing them or by connecting something to what matters to us. If it is important and keeps you inspired, you will remember it “just because…”

3. Reading Keeps Your Brain Alive. Unfortunately, reading books is becoming less popular these days as most college students prefer playing video games, chatting online, or watching the latest Netflix’s offerings. In truth, as the Nerdify reviews team could find out, reading books stimulates our brain and helps to activate the cognitive functions that are responsible for our memory and processing of things. As we read, our brain forms a mental matrix that keeps things memorized, so we can proceed to the next page while remembering all the things that took place before.

4. Writing Things Down. The same can be said about writing things down because it helps to form the tone, analysis, and strategic thinking. Of course, one can start writing without thinking much over it, yet our sentences are still forcing our brain to think and shape separate words together. Remember that typing something online is not the same as writing something down on paper. While you can easily delete something you have typed, writing with a pen requires care for detail and more responsibility, which is a great way to think twice and train one’s memory as to how to do something right.

5. The Word Games. We all have heard about the quiz nights, yet why not make it a regular practice to boost one’s brain and help us to remember things? If you make it a regular experience, as we did at Nerdify reviews, your brain will become accustomed to remembering things through the play and the games. As soon as there will come a moment to remember a phone number, a password, or a part of the important lecture, your brain will instantly engage in a familiar experience that has been acquired with the help of the word games.

6. The Art of a Spoken Word. Do you know how the movie stars remember their lines and keep so much text in their heads? It is because they practice the art of the spoken word. As they constantly talk it out and practice, they learn more about the structure of each line. It simply starts making sense to them! Try using the same practice when you need to remember something and practice a speech in front of a mirror or record yourself to work on your social skills. It will boost your immediate memory and will help you to remember things professionally.

7. Learning how to Recite. Pick a book that you really like or take part of a story that you have to learn for your college course. Read it about 3-5 times, just a single passage. Try to recite it exactly the same way as you used to do during your middle school years. It is as simple as that – just continue with this good old practice until you learn entire paragraphs by heart. You will definitely thank us later as your memory starts to improve!

Time management for college students is a critical skill that separates successful learners from those who constantly struggle. If you’re wondering how to manage time for study daily as a student, you’re already taking the first step toward academic excellence. This guide will provide practical time management tips and strategies to help you balance coursework, social life, and personal growth effectively.

What Is Time Management?

Time management is the process of planning and controlling how you spend your hours to maximize productivity. For students, it means allocating specific periods for studying, attending classes, completing assignments, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Good time management skills help you accomplish more in less time, reduce stress, and achieve better grades.

Why Time Management Matters for College Students

Many college students struggle because they don’t know how to manage time effectively. Poor planning leads to last-minute cramming, missed deadlines, and burnout. What do college students need to spend more time doing in order to meet long-term academic goals? The answer is simple: consistent daily studying and strategic planning.

Effective time management techniques give you control over your schedule. You’ll have time for academics while enjoying social activities and self-care.

Best Time Management Tips for College Students

1. Create a Daily Study Schedule

The foundation of how to manage time for study daily starts with a structured schedule. Write down all your classes, study sessions, and commitments. Assign specific time blocks for each subject.

Use digital calendars or planners to track deadlines. Set reminders for important tasks. This visual representation helps you see where your time goes.

2. Prioritize Your Tasks

Not all assignments carry equal weight. Learn to identify urgent and important tasks. Focus on high-priority work first.

Break large projects into smaller, manageable chunks. This prevents overwhelm and makes progress measurable. Tackle challenging subjects when your energy levels peak.

3. Use the Time Blocking Method

Time blocking is one of the most effective time management strategies for college students. Dedicate specific hours exclusively to studying. Treat these blocks as non-negotiable appointments.

During study blocks, eliminate all distractions. Turn off phone notifications. Find a quiet space. Focus on one subject at a time for maximum retention.

4. Apply the Pomodoro Technique

This popular time management technique involves studying for 25 minutes, then taking a 5-minute break. After four sessions, take a longer 15-30 minute break.

This method prevents mental fatigue. It keeps your mind fresh and improves concentration. The regular breaks actually boost productivity rather than reducing it.

5. Set Realistic Goals

Understanding how to manage your time as a student requires honest self-assessment. Set achievable daily and weekly goals. Unrealistic expectations lead to frustration and burnout.

Start with small targets. Gradually increase your study duration as you build stamina. Celebrate small victories to maintain motivation.

6. Eliminate Time Wasters

Identify activities that consume time without adding value. Social media, excessive gaming, and aimless web browsing are common culprits.

Use website blockers during study hours. Designate specific times for leisure activities. This creates clear boundaries between work and play.

7. Get Expert Guidance When You Need It

Even with perfect time management, some subjects or assignments can feel overwhelming. Services like Nerdify provide academic support to help students prepare for exams, understand complex topics, and develop more effective study habits. Rather than struggling alone for hours, consider using expert guidance to clarify difficult concepts. This isn’t about shortcuts, it’s about learning more efficiently. When you work with knowledgeable tutors who guide you through challenging material, you actually save time while building a deeper understanding. Smart students know when to seek help, making it an important part of effective time management strategies for college students.

How to Improve Time Management Skills

Start Your Day Early

Early mornings offer quiet, distraction-free hours. Many successful students wake up before others to study. This time is perfect for difficult subjects requiring deep focus.

Prepare the Night Before

Lay out materials for tomorrow’s classes. Review your schedule. Pack your bag. These small actions save precious morning minutes and reduce stress.

Learn to Say No

Time management tips for college students include protecting your schedule. You can’t attend every social event or join every club. Choose commitments that align with your goals.

Saying no to non-essential activities creates space for what truly matters—your education and wellbeing.

Use Dead Time Wisely

Waiting for class? Commuting? These moments add up. Review flashcards, listen to educational podcasts, or read assigned materials during these gaps.

Track Your Progress

Monitor how you spend each hour for one week. This reveals patterns and time-wasting habits. Adjust your schedule based on these insights.

Building Long-Term Success

Mastering how to manage time is a gradual process. Don’t expect perfection immediately. Experiment with different time management strategies until you find what works.

Consistency is key. Daily practice transforms these techniques into automatic habits. Over time, effective scheduling becomes second nature.

Remember that time management for college students isn’t about studying every waking moment. It’s about studying smarter, not harder. Balanced schedules include adequate sleep, exercise, and social connection.