TLDR;
Okay, so this video is all about time management tips and tricks, yeah? Amy shares some unconventional advice based on her own experiences. Key takeaways include being fluid like water with your schedule, tackling small tasks immediately, turning tasks into social events, minimizing transition times, and auditing your time to see where it's all going. Plus, she introduces the "might as well" concept to make the most of small pockets of time.
- Be adaptable and go with the flow instead of sticking to rigid schedules.
- Tackle small tasks right away to keep your to-do list manageable.
- Turn study sessions into social events for accountability and fun.
- Minimize transition time between tasks by taking breaks during activities.
- Audit your time to identify time-wasting activities and eliminate them.
- Use the "might as well" concept to utilize small pockets of time effectively.
You’re doing great, sweetie [0:00]
Amy starts off by acknowledging how much pressure students are under these days, juggling classes, extracurriculars, and everything else. She mentions that society doesn't really teach us how to manage our time effectively. She shares that she developed her own time management techniques while managing sports, competitions, and academics, which helped her become valid dictorian and maintain a 4.0 GPA. She's here to share those tips with us, acting like a big sister giving advice. She clarifies that she won't repeat the usual advice, but will share her personal recommendations that people may not have heard before.
Tip 1 [1:20]
Amy's first tip is to be fluid like water with your schedule, okay? She says ditch the strict timetables. Imagine your schedule is like a mug, and strict timetables are like marbles – they can't fill all the gaps. Water, on the other hand, can fill every nook and cranny. Things are always changing, so if you stick to a rigid schedule, you'll get frustrated when things don't go as planned. Being like water means you can adapt to any situation and use your time effectively, even when things change. Her digital planner reflects this, with no set times for tasks, so you can drag things around as needed.
Tip 2 [4:03]
Next up, she talks about admin tasks, like writing emails or taking out the trash. These small things can add up and stress you out. Her trick is, if you realize you need to do something quick, just do it right then and there. Don't put "text Alicia back" on your to-do list, just text her back! Always have a bias towards action. But, if you're really in the zone, don't distract yourself. Instead, keep two to-do lists: one for quick tasks and one for bigger ones. That way, when you have some idle time, you can knock out those quick tasks.
Tip 3 [4:57]
Amy shares how her chemical engineering class at Caltech was known for being on top of their work. Their secret? They would pick a day each week to work on problem sets together. These weekly sessions were non-negotiable, making them accountability partners. Soft deadlines are hard to stick to alone, but involving others keeps you on track. Turn tasks into events! Instead of just telling yourself to do homework, make it a study event with friends. This adds structure, creates deep bonds, and helps everyone improve.
Tip 4 [6:50]
A big time-waster is the transition time between tasks. You know, when you slump on the couch after school or dinner and end up wasting time. To fix this, minimize your transition time by taking breaks during tasks instead of between them. Gym is a break from using your brain, and dinner is a time to relax, so don't waste time between them. Take your breaks during studying or working out instead. Many people find this tip game-changing.
Tip 5 [8:40]
If you feel like your time is slipping away, it's because you're not aware of where it's going. You don't need more time, you need more focus. Do a time audit! Track what you're doing throughout the day for a few days. You might realize you're spending a lot of time on your phone when you thought you were doing homework. This helps you identify what to cut out. Also, learn to say no to unnecessary things that drain your time and energy. Amy has a free 3-day time log to help you with this, and you'll even get a secret time management tip.
EFFICIENCY HACK [10:27]
This isn't just a tip, it's a whole concept: "might as well." When you're waiting for something, think, "I might as well..." For example, if you're waiting for your tennis match to start, you might as well study for your physics test. If you're stuck in traffic, you might as well do homework in the library. If the bus ride to your game is an hour, you might as well listen to lectures. This keeps the momentum going and makes you super efficient. It's about making the most of those little pockets of dead time.
Application update! [16:50]
Amy shares an update about her application process. Interview invites might be coming out soon, which she wasn't expecting. She also talks about her recent trip to Japan, where she bought matcha and skincare products. She wants to incorporate more relaxation into her daily life, not just on vacation. She'll share another update next week about whether she gets an interview invite or not.