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100 Terrific Time-Management Tools to Get Your Degree in 3 Years

Posted on Sunday July 26, 2009 by

By Emily Thomas

Getting your degree in three years isn’t impossible, especially if you’re earning your degree online. It just takes some dedication and excellent time management skills. The following tools will help you take shortcuts, take an honest look at how you use your time, help create lists and schedules, organize your tasks, help with research and projects, keep you connected with classmates more efficiently, and more.

Shortcuts

From hotkeys to password managers, the following tools will help you find shortcuts for plenty of computer activities.

  1. Launchy. Bypass your start menu and desktop icons to launch documents, files, folders, bookmarks, and programs with a single key stroke when you use Launchy.
  2. Quicksilver. Mac users can enjoy using Quicksilver for launching apps, like with Launchy, but also emailing files, queuing albums for that extra study motivation, looking up definitions, and sending IMs.
  3. AutoHotkey. Create hotkeys or mouse clicks to automate anything from expanding abbreviations to creating custom menu bars.
  4. MemoKeys II Lite. Similar to AutoHotkey, this tool allows you to create shortcuts with hotkeys to help speed up composing email messages, automatically plug in passwords, open documents, and more.
  5. Hyperwords. If you use Firefox for your web browser, then check out Hyperwords. This add-on allows you to select a word on any page and perform any number of tasks with it, such as look up the definition, translate it, tag it, email it, send it to Twitter or Facebook, and more.
  6. WakeupOnStandBy. Use this tool to wake your computer from standby or hibernation to run scheduled tasks or programs automatically.
  7. LastPass. This password manager will remember passwords, complete online forms for you, and allows you to log in to sites with one click.
  8. Agrata. Forget your passwords and spend more time remembering important facts for school with this encrypted tool that securely stores all your passwords.

Analyze and Manage Your Time

Use these tools to monitor, analyze, and even promote smart usage while online or on your computer.

  1. RescueTime Solo. Install this app, then let it do the work for you as it tracks the apps and websites you are using. Find out how much time you spend on each and learn how to restructure your time more efficiently.
  2. Toggl. This time tracker is easy to embed and helps you track and analyze your time spent on various projects.
  3. TimeTracker. Keep track of the amount of time dedicated to any task you do with TimeTracker.
  4. LeechBlock. Block yourself from using any time-draining websites with this Firefox add-on.
  5. SlimTimer. Create tasks, time your work on each, then take a look at how well you are managing your time with this tool.
  6. Personal Time Management Tool. Complete this worksheet for one typical week and see how you can better manage your available time.
  7. Wakoopa. Track the time you spend using various apps and create easy-to-read graphs to better understand how you can optimize your time on the computer.

To-Do Lists

These to-do lists will ensure you never miss an important assignment or test.

  1. NowDoThis. To-do lists can’t get more simple than this one. Use this for an easy way to remember what you need to do next.
  2. Checkvist. This is a to-do list on hyperdrive. It manages all your to-do lists and organizes them into one list that you can even share with others.
  3. Ta-Da Lists. Make as many to-do lists as you need with this tool that very easy to use.
  4. Vitalist. This web-based GTD tool helps you stay on task with its intuitive format.
  5. Remember the Milk. This popular to-do list keeps your tasks organized, reminds you when something is due, and works with Google Calendar and your iPhone.
  6. HassleMe. Your to-do list will hassle you when it’s time to get something done.
  7. bitBomb. Get text messages with reminders for your tasks with this tool.
  8. Toodledo. Create a to-do list, then let Toodledo analyze your dates, priorities, and time estimates to create a schedule for you.
  9. Bla-bla List. You can email this simple to-do list to yourself or update others via RSS feed.
  10. My 50. This tool will help you keep focused on your goals by managing your list of accomplishments.

Note-Taking and Highlighting

Organized and efficient highlighting and note-taking of information can drastically cut your study time down, so give these time-saving tools a try.

  1. Evernote. Probably the most popular note-taking tool, and for good reason, Evernote allows you to capture notes from any format, synchronize them across your devices, and even share with others.
  2. Google Notebook. Keep all your notes together with this tool. You can even label and share your notes.
  3. Zotero. This Firefox app helps you collect, organize, and cite research sources from the Internet.
  4. Stickies. If you need a way to keep quick notes available on your desktop, Stickies allows you to use virtual Post-It notes to keep track of your information.
  5. Wizlite. Use this tool to highlight any text online. You can share with classmates, too.
  6. Qipit. Take a photo with your phone of a document, then create PDF files that you can fax, email, or store.
  7. Clipmarks. Save text, images, and video from any place on the Internet with this tool.
  8. Web-Chops. This tool lets you to take portions of web pages and save them on your own page at Web-Chops.
  9. Diigo. Highlight portions of web pages, create sticky notes, and have access to your notes from your cell phone.
  10. UberNote. UberNote allows you to email or IM notes or bookmark them, with access from your desktop or your mobile phone.
  11. Jott. Call a number to leave yourself a note, add an appointment to your calendar, and even have your voice mail transcribed with Jott.
  12. Wired-Marker. A great way to remember exactly what you were interested in remembering, this tool permanently highlight specific sections of websites and automatically bookmarks your selection.

Citation

Don’t spend needless time trying to get your citations done correctly. Instead, use these tools.

  1. EasyBib. Create a bibliography in MLA style of any book, journal article, or website with this tool.
  2. Ottobib. Enter the ISBN from any book and automatically get a bibliography in MLA, APA, Chicago, or other styles of your choice.
  3. Connotea. Manage online references with this tool that is specifically designed for researchers.
  4. CiteULike. As you find scholarly articles on the Internet, use this tool to store, organize, and share them from any browser.

Student Organizers

These organizers address scheduling, homework, tasks, assignments, and more so you can stay on the fast track to graduation.

  1. MyNoteit. Just for college students, this note-taking and organizing tool will help you keep notes, assignments, and tasks organized and is also shareable with classmates.
  2. Notely. This student organizer has a to-do list, calendar, schedule, and homework planner to help keep you on track.
  3. GradeMate. Manage grades, assignments, notes, discussions, and more with this student organizer.
  4. Gradefix. Fix your grades or just learn to manage your time better with this tool that organizes your homework schedule for you.
  5. CollegeRuled. College students can create schedules that are even accessible through Facebook, create lists and manage notes for specific classes, and create message boards to facilitate communication between classmates.
  6. Backpack. Backpack allows for easy organization and collaboration with to-do lists, announcements, calendars, files, and even centralized discussions with others.
  7. Tasks Jr.. This web-based task manager allows you to organize and prioritize your projects for class.
  8. HiTask. This free task management tool provides you with easy scheduling, organizing, and sharing of tasks.

Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentations

These tools will help you create awesome documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with ease.

  1. Google Docs. Write your own papers or collaborate on class projects with Google Docs.
  2. Zoho Docs. Another free document organizer and creator, Zoho Docs allows you to share, collaborate, or work on your own.
  3. Zoho Sheet. Zoho also offers a free spreadsheet program with plenty of great features that is also compatible with Excel.
  4. EditGrid. This collaborative spreadsheet is great for class projects and is feature-rich.
  5. OpenOffice.org. If you don’t have the money to spend on Microsoft Office Suite, then check out this open source alternative.
  6. Empressr. This presentation tool lets you incorporate video, photos, music, and more to create stunning presentations.
  7. ajaxWrite. Firefox users can download this free word processor for a great substitute for Microsoft Word that is also compatible with Word.
  8. Writeboard. Create a web-based text document with this tool, then edit, share, or send yourself a text file of the document.

Bookmarking

Bookmarking your research with these tools ensures you spend less time trying to track down what you already found online.

  1. Delicious. This popular bookmarking site allows you to save favorite sites, add notes to yourself, and share with others.
  2. Digg. Bookmark your favorites and see how users vote and what they say about their own favorite sites here.
  3. PurpleBunny. Bookmark, comment on sites, share with others, and discuss web sites.
  4. StumbleUpon. StumbleUpon offers sites that meet your selected criteria that you can bookmark for future reference.
  5. Fleck. Keep all your bookmarks in one place and share with friends. Choose between the original a lite version for Twitter, or (soon) a version specifically for education and business.
  6. Reddit. Bookmark your favorite sites here where users can vote on the content.
  7. Snip!t. Snip sections of webpages you want to remember and add them to your bookmarks.
  8. iFaves. Organize bookmarks most visited or tags you assign so that you don’t lose track of your bookmarks.
  9. Clipmarks. With this bookmarking tool you can select text, video, or image from a webpage and save it.

Organizing Thoughts and Ideas

Whether planning out a major project, a research paper, or just keeping all your thoughts in one place, these tools provide great ways to do all of that.

  1. Mind42. This free browser-based online mind mapping tool allows you to organize all your thoughts for yourself or to share with others.
  2. Mapul. Easily create organic-looking mind maps with this tool.
  3. Kayuda. Organize your thoughts, whether you want to record your own or are trying to organize a brainstorming session with classmates.
  4. Gliffy. Make flowcharts for a project or use this tool to help organize your ideas.
  5. yWriter5. This app organizes large written projects in a unique way that breaks them down into smaller, more manageable pieces.
  6. VUE. Created at Tufts University, this mind mapping tool is designed specifically for teaching, learning, and research.
  7. FreeMind. This mind-mapping software helps you keep track of projects, organize research, brainstorm.
  8. Cmap Tools. Create concept maps with this tool designed specifically for academic research.
  9. Mindomo. This web-based mind mapping tool will keep you organized and thinking clearly.
  10. bubble.us. Start your brainstorming session with this simple online tool that connects your ideas through thought bubbles.
  11. WiseMapping. Create free mind maps with this tool, then share with classmates.
  12. View Your Mind. This mind mapping tool draws images to represent your thoughts and ideas.

Communicating and Collaborating

Staying in touch with classmates or study partners can reduce wasted time. Use these tools to enhance your communication and collaboration.

  1. Gmail. This popular email program is not only free, but so full of incredible features that will have you saving time instead of becoming a slave to your email.
  2. meebo. IM your friends and classmates with meebo and it doesn’t matter if they are on AIM, MySpace, MSN, or Yahoo!
  3. Pidgin. Download this tool so you can IM with classmates and friends on 16 different IM accounts.
  4. Campfire. Set up instant chat rooms with your study group or classmates using this tool to make communicating as a group much easier.
  5. MeetWithApproval. Plan a virtual meeting with classmates or organize a face-to-face meeting with this tool.
  6. ThinkFold. ThinkFold allows groups to create interactive, real-time outlines without the confusion often experienced during collaboration.
  7. Thinkfree. The free services with this tool include document creation and sharing, file sharing, collaboration, blogging, and iPhone access.
  8. Thinkature. Collaborate with classmates, organize your thoughts and research, and prepare your paper or project with this tool.
  9. Springnote. This note-taking and collaboration tool allows you to take notes for yourself or work with others to create a group notebook.
  10. LooseStitch. Create outlines, share with others, and keep your changes in one place with this tool.
  11. writewith. Ideal for writing projects, this tool keeps everyone on the same page with shared documents and tasks, discussions, and more.

Calendars

These calendars are dynamic and will help you stay on task for your three years of college–and beyond.

  1. Google Calendar. This popular calendar allows you to track events, set reminders, share with others, and easily import appointments straight from Gmail.
  2. Yahoo! Calendar. Another popular calendar similar to Google, this one keeps your schedule and also has a contact list, note pad, and access to your Yahoo! email.
  3. 30 Boxes. This online calendar is easy to use and has a simple design that leaves your time for more important things than entering schedule information.
  4. Jotlet. Create an online calendar and share it with friends, family, or classmates with Jotlet.
  5. WhichTime. Download this free calendar to keep up with everything and customize it with the widgets available.

Miscellaneous Tools

From sharing class notes to finding text books quickly to getting an instant word count on your paper, these tools offer even more ways to save time.

  1. UniversityNotes.net. Upload notes or download notes from others, share information about classes and instructors, and more on this site.
  2. Google Reader. Whether you are keeping track of blogs for school research or personal interests, using Google Reader will keep them organized and easy to access in one place.
  3. Bookfinder.com. Find any text you need quickly with this handy tool–and even sell them back when your semester is finished.
  4. WordCounter. Use this online word counter by simply pasting your content into the tool and get an instant and accurate word count.
  5. Emurse. After all your hard work, get ready for your job search with this tool that will create, store, and share your resume and provides you with printing in a variety of formats.
  6. TelePixie. Get wake-up calls, reminders, alerts, and more on your mobile phone with this tool.

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