Kiss Éva Mariann

Mastering Academic Competencies

A Guide to Effective Learning and Success

10.2 Time Management and Study Organisation

Effective time management and organisation are essential for academic success. They help students prioritise tasks, reduce cognitive overload, and create the conditions for focused and meaningful study. In this chapter, time management is approached as a study-enabling strategy rather than a productivity exercise.

10.2.1 Key Strategies for Managing Study Time

Create a Study Schedule

Planning study time in advance by creating a weekly schedule allows students to allocate dedicated time to each subject and avoid last-minute cramming. A realistic schedule should include breaks and flexibility to accommodate changing demands (Lakein, 1973).

Set Priorities

Not all tasks carry equal importance. Using tools such as the Eisenhower Matrix can help distinguish between urgent and important tasks, enabling students to focus on activities that contribute most to learning and assessment outcomes (Covey, 2004).

Break Down Tasks

Large academic tasks can feel overwhelming. Breaking them into smaller, manageable steps improves focus and makes progress more visible, supporting sustained engagement (Allen, 2001).

Use a Planner or Digital Calendar

Recording deadlines, exams, and commitments in a planner or digital calendar supports organisation and reduces reliance on memory. Regular review of planned tasks helps maintain control over workload (Mancini, 2003).

Address Procrastination Strategically

Procrastination often reflects task anxiety, uncertainty, or overload rather than poor motivation. Techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves focused work intervals followed by short breaks, can help maintain momentum (Cirillo, 2006).

Establish a Consistent Study Routine

Studying at regular times and in consistent environments helps build habits and reduces the mental effort required to begin studying, making sustained engagement more likely (Duhigg, 2012). Effective organisation supports deeper learning by freeing cognitive resources for analysis, reflection, and application rather than task management alone.

Tartalomjegyzék

Kiadó: Akadémiai Kiadó

Online megjelenés éve: 2026

ISBN: 978 963 664 192 4

Pedagógia Idegen nyelvű

Developing Academic Competencies offers a comprehensive and practice-oriented guide to the development of essential academic and professional skills required for success in contemporary higher education. Addressing the evolving demands placed on students in increasingly international, digital, and performance-driven academic environments, the book integrates evidence-based learning strategies with practical tools that support effective studying, assessment preparation, academic writing, teamwork, and reflective learning.

The volume adopts a student-centred and competence-based approach, combining theory with applied examples, exercises, and self-assessment activities to foster independent, critical, and strategic learners. Particular attention is given to transferable skills such as time management, collaboration, problem-solving, and academic integrity, while also engaging with the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in learning, research, and writing. Rather than positioning AI as a shortcut, the book emphasises its potential as a supportive tool that enhances productivity, critical evaluation, and metacognitive awareness.

Designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students across disciplines, as well as for instructors seeking structured support materials, Developing Academic Competencies bridges the gap between academic expectations and student preparedness. By empowering learners with adaptable strategies and reflective practices, the book contributes to improved academic performance, lifelong learning capabilities, and employability in a rapidly changing knowledge economy.

Hivatkozás: https://mersz.hu/kiss-mastering-academic-competencies//

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