Power skills | Organisation
Is it time to get organised?
Effective organisation can lead to a multitude of other benefits. Here’s how you can take charge of your schedule
Words Sophie Cross
Balancing AAT studies with work, family commitments and personal life requires strong organisational skills. Whether you’re studying part-time while working or completing an apprenticeship, these eight practical strategies will help you stay on top of everything without feeling overwhelmed.
1
Digital calendar
Your phone's calendar and alarm are your best friends. Add everything to it – study sessions, assignment deadlines, work meetings and personal plans. Set up automatic reminders 15 minutes before important events so you are never caught off guard. Use different colours for different types of activities: blue for work, green for study, red for deadlines. This visual system helps you identify priorities and potential conflicts at a glance, ensuring you allocate enough time for each area of your life.
2
Master the ‘five-minute rule’
If something takes less than five minutes to complete, do it immediately rather than adding it to your to-do list. This applies to quick email responses, filing documents or updating study notes. This simple habit prevents small tasks from accumulating into an overwhelming pile.
3
Time-block for study success
Treat your study time like unmovable work appointments. Block out specific hours in your calendar for each subject or topic and stick to these times as you would a professional meeting. Plan your most challenging study sessions for when your energy levels are highest. If you are sharpest in the morning, tackle complex topics like taxation or financial statements, leaving routine revision for later in the day.
4
Organise your study materials
Create a consistent filing system for both physical and digital materials. Use cloud storage such as Google Drive with clearly labelled folders for each unit. This saves precious time when you need to find specific notes or past papers quickly.
Keep separate notebooks or digital folders for different subjects and always date your notes. When revision time comes, you will thank yourself for this simple organisation.
5
Embrace the power of weekly planning
Spend 10 minutes every Sunday planning the week ahead. Review upcoming deadlines, work commitments and study goals. This weekly check-in helps you identify potential problems before they escalate into crises. Write down three priorities for the week, not 20! Focus on what must be done rather than what could be done. This keeps you doing the activities that truly matter for your progress.
6
Batch similar tasks
Group similar activities together to maintain focus and efficiency. Answer emails at set times rather than constantly checking throughout the day. Do all your reading assignments in one session rather than spreading them across multiple short periods. For assignments, batch your research phase separately from your writing phase. This prevents the constant switching between different types of thinking that can slow you down.
7
Create productive routines
Develop consistent morning and evening routines that get you set up for a great day. A simple morning routine might include reviewing your daily priorities and checking for any urgent messages. An evening routine could involve preparing materials for the next day and noting three things you accomplished.
8
Stop the scroll
Turn off non-essential notifications during study time. Social media alerts and news updates can derail your concentration when you are making progress. Consider using apps like Forest or Freedom to block distracting websites during focused study sessions. Willpower isn’t enough; put things in place to help you stop reaching for your phone.
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