Stay on Track: How Students Can Manage Time with an ABC List

For students balancing coursework with professional and personal responsibilities, a traditional to-do list may not provide enough structure. An ABC list can help you organize tasks by priority, making it easier to focus on what matters most and use your time effectively¹.

In an ABC list:

• A tasks are urgent and highly important.
• B tasks are important but less urgent.
• C tasks are neither urgent nor critical.

The goal is to dedicate the majority of your time to completing the A tasks, ensuring you make consistent progress toward your educational goals.

Step 1: Brainstorm Tasks

Begin by listing everything you need to accomplish — academic and non-academic. Include assignments, readings, research, discussion board participation, and personal obligations. Don't worry about order yet; just capture all tasks.

Tips:

• Be specific: Instead of "Study," write "Study History 265: Chapter 9, Lesson 2 for Friday's essay test."
• Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable parts, such as research, note compilation, drafting, and final editing.

Step 2: Estimate Time

Next, estimate how long each task will take. Include any travel or transition time if tasks require leaving your study space. Use prior experience to make realistic time frames, ensuring your schedule is achievable.

Step 3: Rate Each Task by Priority

Assign each task a priority letter: A, B, or C.

• A tasks: Must be completed or face significant consequences. For example, preparing for an upcoming exam or completing a major paper. Use sub-labels like "A-1" or "A-2" to further prioritize.
• B tasks: Important but not urgent. Complete these after all A tasks are finished.
• C tasks: Optional or low-priority tasks that can be addressed after A and B tasks are done.

This system ensures you focus on high-impact tasks first.

Step 4: Cross Off Tasks

After completing a task, cross it off your list. This simple act can provide a sense of accomplishment and help keep you motivated. Prioritization ensures you tackle important, challenging tasks first, creating momentum for the rest of your day.

Step 5: Reevaluate Your List

At the end of the day or week, review your ABC list. Update it by removing completed tasks, reprioritizing remaining tasks, and adding new ones. An ABC list is meant to be dynamic, evolving alongside your schedule and responsibilities.

RELATED: 5 Ways Working Too Quickly Can Cost You More Time

Additional Tips for Busy Students

• Consider integrating online courses to help balance your academic and professional responsibilities. Learn more about managing coursework while maintaining flexibility here.
• Break large projects into smaller chunks to prevent overwhelm.
• Combine similar tasks to improve efficiency, such as batching readings or assignments by subject.

Learn how you can fit online courses into your busy schedule.

¹EmpMonitor. How to implement the ABC method for time management? https://empmonitor.com/blog/abc-method/ (visited on 11/3/2025).

Not all programs are available to residents of all states. REQ2174413 11/2025.