Youth Month: ‘Time Hacks’ keeps students’ schedule in check

It’s no secret that university students need to be master jugglers. With a hefty academic schedule and an equally demanding social and sport calendar, how could they not be?

This means that effective time management is crucial, and Zukile Ntentema, a final-year University of Cape Town (UCT) social work student, gets this better than anyone else.

When he heard many students in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) were not using their time optimally, he put on his thinking cap and developed Time Hacks – a time management programme tailored to undergraduate students, especially those in their first year of study. Because he understands that students don’t have the time or mental capacity to sit through yet another class, Ntentema uses WhatsApp as his primary communication tool, a win-win for the young folk who are always glued to their mobile phones. This approach ensures that Time Hacks is easily accessible and in line with everyone’s schedule.

“The essence of time management lies in the ability to structure your tasks based on their urgency and importance.”

“The essence of time management lies in the ability to structure your tasks based on their urgency and importance – distinguishing accurately between what requires immediate attention and what can be placed on the back burner for later on,” Ntentema said. “For some, it’s difficult to prioritise, and Time Hacks helps with exactly that.”

A roadmap

The idea to start the programme sprouted after the FHS student development office expressed concern that some first-year students in the faculty were not managing their time optimally. The office shared this concern when Ntentema joined the team as a peer counsellor, as part of a pilot initiative to strengthen relations between the Department of Social Work and Social Development, and the FHS.

It’s been three months since the programme was introduced, and students have taken to it like fish to water – currently 80 students from across the faculty have signed up as participants.

“Having time management is like having a roadmap in place. It directs your academic journey and how to balance study time with selfcare and relaxation. By staying organised, students get through their coursework and build psychological resilience. This is essential for their success in this demanding field of health sciences,” Ntentema said.

How it works

Time Hacks allows students to connect to its WhatsApp channel using a QR code. Once there, they can access weekly tips on how to manage their time. Essentially, Ntentema explained, the programme teaches students how to organise their workload in a way that maximises productivity. They learn how to prioritise essential tasks and the importance of flexibility, especially with a demanding academic calendar. He said a range of resources specifically tailored to meet students’ varied learning needs are available, and because material is delivered via WhatsApp, students can easily revisit tips whenever they need to.

But more than prioritising and scheduling tasks, Ntentema said Time Hacks also stresses the importance of selfcare and encourages participants to take breaks regularly and to make time for things they love, so that they can maintain a well-balanced lifestyle.

“Selfcare is crucial, especially when the academics are demanding, which it often is. So, Time Hacks encourages students to also make time for the things they love doing because that’s important to lead a well-rounded lifestyle,” he said.

A lifeline

First-year MBChB student Karabo Maphakane said his academic programme hit him like a ton of bricks at the start of the year and he struggled to cope. It was then that one of his friends suggested that he consult with a peer counsellor to help him structure his time and prioritise his workload. Coincidently it was Ntentema.

In no time, he signed up for Time Hacks and things started to improve.

“I wasn’t coping. The workload at university is massive and it’s very difficult to get your head around everything.”

“I wasn’t coping. The workload at university is massive and it’s very difficult to get your head around everything. You also need to study every day to ensure that you remain on top of things. This is hard when there’s a million other things you need to get through too,” Maphakane said.

“I needed something to help me stay on track and Time Hacks does this for me. It provides the support I need to use my time wisely and it’s been so beneficial.”

All round support

Since he signed up, Maphakane said the resources have equipped him with the tools he needs to remain ahead of his studies, and to engage in the extracurricular activities he enjoys, which he was convinced he had no time for.

In addition, he said, the programme has also been beneficial for his mental health and continues to ensure that his stress and anxiety levels remain in check.

“Time Hacks has changed how I view university life and really helped me to put things into perspective. It’s also been useful for my mental health because I am no longer constantly stressed. It’s exactly what I needed,” he said.

In the pipeline

As the programme progresses at the FHS, Ntentema said there are plans to develop a survey towards the end of the year to gauge whether students in other faculties would find value in participating as well. And he won’t leave it there. Ntentema has already started engaging with local high schools to introduce Time Hacks among learners in different grades to help them manage their time effectively and prepare them for demanding university schedules.

“This programme is now in motion, and we see the impact it continues to make on students’ lives. So, if we can take it a step further by expanding and taking it to schools that would be wonderful,” Ntentema said.

“Time Hacks is invaluable and if more can benefit, we need to make it happen.”

FHS students who are interested in accessing Time Hacks can contact the faculty’s student development office for information.