What is it about?
The article addresses the growing challenge faced by nursing students in balancing academic, clinical, work, and personal commitments. Recognising that poor time management often leads to stress, burnout, and reduced performance, The article presents ten practical and research-informed strategies to support students in organising their lives more effectively. The article introduces the importance of understanding one’s chronotype to align tasks with energy levels. It highlights the benefits of using calendars and diaries for structured planning, as well as minimising distractions through practices such as avoiding the “brain drain” effect of smartphones. It also explores motivational and prioritisation techniques, including “Eat that Frog,” the Eisenhower Matrix, and SMART goals, which encourage students to tackle essential tasks efficiently. It emphasises the importance of self-care, and suggests ways to maximise time through time optimisation practices, such as listening to learning materials while commuting. Finally, the article stresses visualisation, showing how mentally rehearsing success can improve focus and motivation. Together, these strategies provide a holistic toolkit to help nursing students thrive academically and personally.
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Why is it important?
This article is important because it directly addresses one of the most common struggles for nursing students: managing time effectively in the face of competing demands. Nursing education is uniquely intensive, requiring students to balance lectures, clinical placements, exams, and often part-time jobs. Without effective strategies, students are at high risk of stress, anxiety, and even burnout. It offers more than just productivity tips, it provides practical and evidence-based approaches that foster both efficiency and well-being.
Perspectives
It not only blends well-established productivity techniques, like SMART goals and the Pomodoro method, but it emphases self-care, because students often neglect their own well-being when trying to meet academic and clinical demands. Making time for rest and exercise is not wasted time, it enhances focus and productivity. I also found the concept of time optimisation insightful, as it reframes everyday moments, such as commuting, into opportunities for learning. What stands out most is that the article does not present time management as rigid scheduling, but as a flexible and personalised approach. I believe these techniques are highly transferable, supporting not just nursing students, but anyone managing complex responsibilities.
shabana Ali
Buckinghamshire New University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Helping nursing students improve their time management, British Journal of Nursing, August 2025, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2024.0436.
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