Benjamin Franklin once said that two things in life are certain: death and taxes. If you're a university student, deadlines deserve a spot on that list too. As the semester moves forward, you’ve probably felt that rising panic when deadlines start to pile up. Essays, presentations, tests, and assignments all seem to hit at once, and suddenly, you're wondering how you'll manage it all.

Managing multiple deadlines is a skill you’ll need to practice throughout your life, and it won’t happen overnight. But the good news is, you can set yourself up for success by developing a few smart habits early on. Keep reading for tips on how to stay on top of your deadlines, even when they feel overwhelming.

Create a Plan That Works for You

If you don’t have an exceptional memory, it’s essential to find a system to organize your tasks clearly. Your plan should be something you can trust and refer to often. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a simple list of notes, sticky notes on your wall, or a digital calendar. The most important thing is to choose a format that suits you.

Your plan should clearly outline your tasks and their deadlines. This will help you stay organized and avoid last-minute stress. When your system works for you, managing deadlines will become much easier.

Plan Visually, the Analog Way

In today’s world, it’s easy to rely on digital tools like apps to manage deadlines and tasks. While they can be helpful, there’s something special about using a non-digital, visual calendar. It’s not just about writing things down—it’s about seeing everything laid out in front of you.

Digital apps that remind you about upcoming deadlines are convenient, but they can also be ignored. Maybe you’re in class when an alert goes off, or you're out with friends. You might snooze it, or even dismiss it entirely. The app will stay in the background until the next alert, but it's easy to forget about it in the meantime.

This is where a physical, visual plan stands out. You can break down your tasks in a way that makes sense and keep it in your sight, ensuring that you stay on top of things. Here’s how you can use it to stay organized:

• Use Colour-Coding

Colour-code your tasks to give you a quick overview of your workload. For example, mark long assignments (like essays over 1,000 words) in one colour, smaller written assignments in another, test preparation in a third, and online exercises in a different colour. This system helps you easily spot the size of each task.

For example, red could represent larger, time-consuming assignments. If you have multiple red deadlines within a week, you know it’s time to start working on them right away.

• Organize by Module

You can also colour-code by module, so that you can quickly differentiate between the tasks for each subject. This not only makes your calendar easier to read, but also helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed by a long list of tasks. If one module consistently takes more time than others, you can plan accordingly.

Be careful, though. If you start associating one colour with tasks you dislike, like “blue” for assignments you find tough, you might find yourself procrastinating on them. Keep the colour system positive and neutral.

• Don’t Forget Non-Academic Items

Lastly, reserve a couple of colours for personal events. If you’ve got social plans or trips coming up, add those to your calendar too. It’s important to see the full picture, not just your academic tasks. Knowing when you have time off can help you better plan your study sessions.

By using a visual, colour-coded system, you’ll have a clear overview of your deadlines and tasks. It keeps everything organized and helps you stay on top of both school and personal life.

Add Tasks to Your Plan as You Get Them

The most important part of managing deadlines is not just having a list of tasks, but being able to trust that your plan is accurate. If you can’t look at your calendar and instantly see all your deadlines and their dates, you’ll likely face problems down the road. Whether you use a high-tech app or a simple wall calendar, you need to be diligent in adding tasks as soon as you know about them.

Planning tools are only as good as the information you give them. Even the best apps can’t help you if you forget to enter your tasks! So, it’s essential to add every task to your calendar the moment you learn about it. This simple step will save you from last-minute panic and missed deadlines.

Start by adding all major assignments at the beginning of the term. Read your course outline carefully, and note down all the assignments you’re expected to complete. As smaller assignments are assigned, make sure to update your plan. Be proactive, and when you know exam dates or lab assessments, add those as well.

The key is to be disciplined. Consistently add tasks to your calendar to keep your planning system up-to-date. This habit will ensure you’re always prepared and on track for every deadline.

Multitasking

At university, you’re likely to face more multitasking challenges than ever before. If you prefer working through tasks one by one and checking them off, juggling multiple projects at once might feel overwhelming. But don't worry! Here’s how you can manage it without losing your mind:

Understand and Minimize Context-Switching

“Context switching” is a term from computing that explains how your brain works when you switch between tasks. Imagine you’re working on one thing, and then suddenly you need to start something else. It’s like saving your work on a computer before opening a new program and coming back to it later. While switching between tasks, you lose time and energy.

When your brain constantly shifts focus, you waste time and effort “getting back into the zone” of each task. This is what makes multitasking inefficient. Instead of switching back and forth constantly, try to focus on one task at a time and limit distractions.

By reducing context switching, you can manage your assignments more efficiently and feel more in control of your deadlines. Keep your focus where it matters most, and you'll find that you’re much more productive.

If you’re new to juggling multiple assignments, like many university students, you might find that multitasking and switching between tasks can waste more time than you realize. Let’s say you have three assignments all due on the same day. You want to make progress on each one, so while working on one, you suddenly remember something important for another. You quickly switch over to that second assignment, but first, you need to remind yourself of the structure. Then, after adding your new idea, you return to the first assignment and reread it to get back on track.

This constant back-and-forth is what’s called “context switching.” When you switch from one task to another, your brain has to adjust, which takes time and energy. Even though you might think you’re being productive, it actually takes more time than if you just focused on one task at a time.

Besides your own thoughts bouncing between assignments, interruptions like phone calls, texts, and social media add even more distractions. These disruptions can break your flow and make it hard to get back into your work. In fact, research shows that multitasking can actually make you temporarily lose IQ points, making it harder to focus and work efficiently.

Instead of hopping between tasks, try sticking to one assignment at a time. This can help you stay more focused and get things done faster. If you need help organizing tasks, consider using an assignment help service to stay on top of your deadlines!

If you’re constantly switching between tasks, it’s easy to get distracted and lose focus. Here are some simple strategies to stay on track:

1. Go into “Offline Mode”
   Turn off your phone and disable email notifications while you work. Try focusing on one task for 25-minute blocks, then reward yourself with 5 minutes of free time. This method, known as the Pomodoro Technique, helps boost productivity and reduces the temptation to check your phone or get distracted by other tasks.

2. Use a Notepad for Ideas
   Keep a notepad beside you while you work. If an idea pops into your head for a different task, quickly write it down. This way, you won’t forget your idea but can stay focused on what you’re doing. It’s like saving your thoughts without losing your place.

3. Handle Small Tasks First
   If there are small tasks bothering you, like emails to send or calls to make, take care of them before you dive into bigger assignments. These small distractions can interrupt your focus, so it’s better to get them out of the way first. However, don’t spend your time finding small tasks just to avoid doing larger assignments!

Recognize When You’ve Hit Saturation

While jumping between tasks can waste time, it’s not always bad to take breaks or switch things up. The key is learning when to recognize “saturation.” This happens when you’ve worked on a task for so long that you feel mentally drained. It’s like hitting a wall where you can’t make progress anymore, often leading to feelings of boredom or frustration. Sometimes, this isn’t because the task is boring, but because you’ve spent too much time on it without a break.

If you notice these feelings, it’s time to take a step back. Whether it’s a break or switching to a different task, changing gears can help refresh your mind. If the new task is different enough, you’ll likely feel energized and able to focus better. Understanding when you’re saturated and knowing how to handle it is crucial for staying productive, especially when juggling multiple assignments.

This is also why starting early on assignments is important. If you wait until the last minute and hit saturation, you might struggle to finish on time. So, if you’re working on an assignment that’s due soon and reaches saturation, pushing through could lead to inefficient work.

Plan Task Switching and Breaks Ahead of Time

Mastering multitasking isn’t just about doing many things at once; it’s about managing your time and energy wisely. Trying to focus on one task for hours straight or working without breaks can lead to burnout. When you overwork, you hit a point of mental exhaustion called saturation, and your productivity suffers. Instead of pushing through endless hours of work, try switching between tasks every hour or two. This helps keep your brain fresh and allows you to give attention to multiple assignments without overloading yourself.

It's also crucial to plan your downtime. If you decide to relax, make it a clear, intentional choice. When you don't plan breaks, you might feel guilty for not working, which can make it harder to get back to your assignments. But if you actively choose to take a break, you'll feel better about it and come back to your tasks feeling refreshed and ready to work.

Understanding Procrastination

Most students are familiar with procrastination, like starting an assignment but ending up scrolling through social media instead. But procrastination isn’t always so obvious. It comes in different forms, and recognizing them can help you avoid falling into bad habits.

Sebastian Bailey, co-founder of MindGym, breaks procrastination into five types. One type, called complacency, is when you think, "It’s easy, I can do it later." Another form is avoiding discomfort, where you put off tasks because you don’t want to deal with the stress. Some students procrastinate due to a fear of failure, or because they feel too stressed to work at all.

One particularly tricky form of procrastination is action illusion. This happens when you feel like you’re getting things done because you're busy, but you're not really making progress on your main tasks. For example, you might think you're working hard by reading extra material for one class, but neglecting assignments for others. Or you may spend time organizing your task list without actually doing any work.

Tackling Unpleasant Tasks

When you're avoiding tough tasks, here are simple ways to push through.

• Timed Methods

Use time blocks. Set a timer for 25 minutes, work on a task, then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer break. This method keeps you focused without feeling worn out.

Another method is to work for just 5 minutes. After that, decide if you want to continue or take a break. Small steps help you stay on track.

• Rewards

Set a goal and treat yourself once you reach it. Whether it's a quick break, watching TV, or hanging out with friends, rewards help keep you motivated.

• Visualization

Think about how you'll feel when you finish. Imagine feeling proud and relieved, not stressed. This can help you get started and push through difficult tasks.