Self-organization

1. tabular time planning for a writing project
The idea of this time planning table is to break down a writing project into as many small steps as possible. The duration, deadline and a reward are defined for each step.

The tabular time planning of the TU Darmstadt WritingCenter

2. Backwards analysis
In order to plan a project timeline more precisely, it can be helpful to start with the deadline and work backwards through the individual steps until then: What exactly do I need to have done by the deadline? How much do I need to have done by the halfway point to reach my goal? What do I need to do now/today/this week?

Backward analysis of the TU Darmstadt WritingCenter

3. SMART method
Sometimes projects fail because the goals are too vague. The SMART method helps to define a clear and achievable goal: It must be specific (S), measurable (M), acceptable (A), realistic (R) and time-bound (T).

The SMART method, explained by the TU Dresden Writing Center (page 2)

4. Finding writing time
To better integrate writing into your everyday life and keep the necessary time free for it, first create an overview of your personal activities (tip: you can see how much time you spend on social media sites or surfing aimlessly every day using Screen Time (iOS) or the Google Digital Wellbeing app (Android)). Then divide all activities into necessary, important and not important. Then think about: Which of these could be cut out in order to find around 2 hours a day for writing (or other important projects)?

1. anti-procrastination tools
Do you like to put off tasks? (Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37wR_TWdVy0) 
We have put together the most interesting tools for you to help you work on your projects in a focused manner. The tools are divided into four categories:

• Time management: These tools are suitable for finding out how your own productivity is actually doing: How do I actually learn and work? Do I allow myself to be distracted too much?
• Website/app blockers: These tools help to eliminate distractions during study and writing time.
• Distraction-free writing environments: To help you focus solely on writing on your PC and get into the flow of writing, these tools can help.
• Merciless writing environments: If all else fails, try these writing tools.

Our selection of anti-procrastination tools including links to the applications 

2. Pomodoro technique
This time-management method assumes that breaks are just as important for productivity as periods of concentration. The method involves four alternating 25-minute work sessions and five-minute breaks.

The Pomodoro technique, explained by the TU Darmstadt Writing Center 

3. Eisenhower principle
The Eisenhower method helps you to prioritize upcoming tasks and then work on them in the right order. To do this, divide the tasks into four categories: important and urgent; important but not urgent; not important but urgent; neither important nor urgent — and work on the first category first.

The Eisenhower Principle, explained by the TU Dresden Writing Center 

4. Adapt habits
The book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear (2018) is based on the assumption that we can program ourselves with habits. Habits conserve cognitive resources because we can automate actions and processes. In order to integrate new habits into our everyday lives, they should initially take no more than two minutes (even the most complex task can be divided into many mini-tasks that take no longer than two minutes). The time is then gradually increased.

The guide “How To Create A Good Habit” by James Clear 

5. The “Getting Things Done” system
Many small tools often have a big impact: with this system, you can create a well-organized working day. David Allen (2001) combined seven components for this: To-Do list, Not-To-Do list, notebook, calendar, project list, idea list and filing system.

David Allen's “Getting Things Done” system 

6. Monotasking instead of multitasking
Doing several tasks at the same time instead of everything one after the other? What initially seems tempting turns out to be a misconception on closer inspection: psychology and neuroscience suggest that human multitasking is a myth. Although we can perceive several things at the same time, our attention can only be focused on one task at a time. If you try to complete several tasks at the same time, you keep jumping back and forth. As a result, your ability to concentrate decreases while your stress level increases — and you end up needing even more time to complete the tasks that need to be done. Therefore, only take on one task at a time and only start the next one when you have completed it.

Multitasking – an illusion (by Werner Stangl)

1.research diary
A research diary is a mixture of a (scientific) notebook and a (personal) diary. If you create one, you can combine scientific information and plans with your own reflections. Guiding questions that you can use for orientation would be What have I mainly dealt with today? What have I not yet understood? What ideas and thoughts do I have about this? What is the source of this information and where can I find more? What hypotheses and speculations come to mind?

Research diaries help with your own knowledge and self-management, but can also be used for collaborative work with your fellow students.