Picture this: Alarm rings at 6 AM. You wake up at 8:30.
You promise to study at 10. By 11, you’re watching “just one reel.” Suddenly, it’s 4 PM, and you’re still in pajamas with 13 unread WhatsApp messages from the study group you muted. Sound familiar?
Welcome to the most chaotic, yet strangely universal problem of student life:
🎯 Time Management (or the lack of it).

"Time flies. Unfortunately, it often crashes at the wrong exam centre."
Why Students in India (and Beyond) Struggle With Time Management
Let’s be honest – it’s not just laziness. It’s a spicy combo of distractions, pressure, and poor planning. Here’s how this beautiful mess unfolds:
1. Overconfidence Syndrome: “Bhai, Last Day Mein Ho Jayega”
You’ve got a 100-mark paper. You know the syllabus is 9 chapters long. But your inner voice says, “Arre kal padhenge, sab ho jayega.”
Spoiler alert: It won’t.
This desi procrastination technique is widely used and rarely works. Overconfidence eats away time like you eat Kurkure during night study sessions.
2. Mobile Phones – The Real Time Thieves
One moment you open YouTube for a “doubt-solving” video. Next thing you know, you’re watching how penguins flirt.
Between Instagram reels, WhatsApp group pings, and endless memes, your time flies faster than Rajdhani Express.
Time Tip: Try Pomodoro Technique. Study 25 mins, break for 5. And please, mute the notifications, yaar!
3. No Time Table = No Time
“Aaj toh mood nahi hai.”
“Aaj toh Sunday hai.”
“Aaj toh match hai.”
When you don’t plan, life plans you. Not having a time table is like going to Lonavala without petrol – you’ll stall halfway.
And no, writing “study” five times on your planner doesn’t count. Be specific. Be realistic. And for heaven’s sake, add breaks!
4. Too Many Goals, Too Little Time
Wake up, jog, yoga, study, guitar, freelancing, gym, read book, call crush, watch one episode, and then…study?
Multitasking is not your enemy. But overcommitting is. Prioritise like your marks depend on it (because they do).
5. Lack of Motivation or Energy (Hello, Sleep Deprivation!)
Binge-watch till 3 AM. Wake up like a zombie. Then wonder why you can’t concentrate.
Being tired kills your time faster than buffering on Jio during rain.
Your body needs sleep. Your brain needs rest. Don’t treat your bed like an enemy during exam season.
6. Stress Paralysis – When “Too Much to Do” Becomes “Do Nothing”
When the workload looks like Himalaya, some students freeze instead of climbing. That’s stress paralysis. You stare at your books like they’re about to bite you.
The solution? Break tasks into smaller bites. Like mom says – “Roti bhi ek ek bite mein khani chahiye.”
Practical (and Desi) Time Management Tips That Actually Work:
- Ban the "Kal Kare So Aaj Kar" Mindset – Flip that Kabir doha into action.
- Use the 2-Minute Rule – If something takes <2 minutes, do it now.
- Keep a Digital Detox Slot – Give your phone a break. It also needs therapy.
- Prioritise Tasks, Not Excuses – Urgent ≠ Important. Know the difference.
- Reward Yourself – Finished a chapter? 1 laddoo or 1 episode. Motivation works best with sugar.
- Sleep Like a Normal Human – Even Einstein took naps. You can too.
Manage Time Before Time Manages You
If time were a person, it would say: “Bro, I’m passing… are you?”
Time management is not about being a robot or giving up fun. It’s about balance. About being able to say “yes” to a movie night because you studied in the afternoon.
So, dear students, open your planner, not just your Snapchat. Plan better, rest better, and live life like you’re not chasing the syllabus 10 hours before the exam.