Time Management Tips for Computer Science Students Balancing Projects and Assignments
Vikram, a third-year computer science student in Chennai, was known for his ambition. He had big dreams of becoming a software engineer at a top company, but there was one problem: time. Between classes, projects, assignments, coding practice, and family responsibilities, he often found himself overwhelmed.
It was a sunny morning in February when his professor, Dr. Priya, noticed Vikram looking unusually stressed during her lecture. After class, she called him aside and asked, “What’s wrong, Vikram?”
He sighed and said, “Ma’am, I feel like I’m running in circles. Between my group project, two assignments, and the coding competition next week, I don’t even know where to start.”
Dr. Priya smiled knowingly. “Let me tell you a story,” she began.
A Lesson from a Village Well
“In my village,” she said, “we had a single well that everyone depended on for water. One year, the monsoon failed, and the well began to dry up. The village elders decided to use a simple trick. They drew water in smaller buckets instead of large ones, using only what they needed. Surprisingly, this kept the well functional longer.
The point is, Vikram, when resources are limited—whether it’s water or time—you must prioritize and use them wisely.”
Vikram's Journey to Mastering Time
Inspired, Vikram decided to put Dr. Priya’s advice into action.
1.. Listing Priorities
He started by writing down everything he needed to do:
- Submit his database management assignment.
- Work on the group project for the final presentation.
- Practice for the coding competition.
- Prepare for the upcoming midterm exam.
Then, he ranked them based on urgency and importance. The assignment and group project came first, followed by coding practice and exam preparation.
2. Creating a Schedule
Vikram blocked time for each task on a daily planner. Mornings were reserved for focused work on assignments, while afternoons were for group discussions. Evenings were dedicated to coding practice, and he spent an hour before bed reviewing his exam notes.
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“Focus on one task at a time,” he reminded himself, echoing Dr. Priya’s words.
3. Using Breaks Wisely
Instead of scrolling through Instagram during breaks, Vikram began doing short yoga sessions or chatting with his grandmother, who always had funny childhood stories to share. These moments helped him recharge.
4. Learning to Say No
One of Vikram’s friends invited him to a weekend movie marathon. As tempting as it was, Vikram politely declined. “I’ll join next time,” he said, realizing the importance of staying committed to his schedule.
5. Adopting the Pomodoro Technique
Vikram stumbled upon a productivity method called the Pomodoro Technique. He worked in 25-minute focused intervals followed by 5-minute breaks. This approach kept him energized and prevented burnout.
The Result
By the end of the semester, Vikram noticed a huge difference. Not only did he submit all his assignments on time, but his group project also received the highest grade in the class. To top it off, he won second place in the coding competition and aced his exams.
When Dr. Priya handed him his results, she said, “So, how does it feel to manage your time like a pro?”
Vikram grinned. “It feels like I’ve found an extra hour in every day!”
Key Takeaways from Vikram’s Story
1. **Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.**
2. **Create a realistic schedule and stick to it.**
3. **Take meaningful breaks to recharge your energy.**
4. **Learn to say no to distractions.**
5. **Use techniques like Pomodoro to maintain focus.**
Vikram’s story reminds us that time management isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things at the right time. With a little planning and discipline, even the busiest computer science student can achieve balance and success.