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Being organised: a Practical Guide

Daily to-do lists

How to manage your time effectively and prioritise tasks.
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Daily To-Do Lists

A Daily To-Do List can be your blueprint for a productive day, helping you to prioritise tasks, reduce procrastination, and track your progress.

Benefits of making a Daily To-Do List

  • Focus and organisation: A to-do list outlines the tasks for the day, helping to organise thoughts and priorities;
  • Reduce procrastination: Having clear tasks can make them more manageable, reducing the tendency to procrastinate;
  • Track progress: You can get progress by checking off tasks as they're completed, boosting motivation and providing a sense of achievement!

Tips for a Daily To-Do List

Set clear goals: Define what you aim to achieve each day.

Categorise and prioritise: Mark tasks based on urgency and importance.

Schedule with flexibility: Include breaks and buffer times for unexpected tasks.

Monitor and adapt: Reassess your list as the day progresses, shifting tasks as needed.

How to make a Daily To-Do List

  1. Choose the right medium: Select a format that suits your preference, whether digital (app, online calendar) or physical (planner, sticky notes).
  2. List your tasks: Include all the tasks you need to achieve, being specific about the content and scope.
  3. Break down large tasks: Divide more significant projects into smaller, manageable units.
  4. Estimate the time: Allocate approximate time slots for each task, adding a buffer for flexibility.
  5. Prioritise: Arrange tasks based on importance, deadlines, and personal/academic goals.
  6. Evaluate and adjust: Regularly review and fine-tune your list, adapting to changes and completed tasks. It's ok to change your plans!
A structured To-Do-List template divided into sections. The To Do section includes tasks such as reviewing notes for an upcoming lecture on the History of Ancient Civilizations, completing War Seminar reading, preparing questions for a Medieval Seminar, and typing up group meeting notes, with checkboxes next to each task. The Priorities section lists two unchecked items: prep for tomorrow's seminar and group meeting notes. The Notes section mentions following up with a supervisor regarding course selection for the next semester, while the Reminder section includes returning library books due on Friday and buying tickets for a gig on Saturday night. All tasks and notes are neatly organised, with plenty of space for additional items.

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