Time & Study Management

When you are studying, you have many things to consider beyond your degree. Time management is one of the most crucial skills to develop, as it impacts everything you do. Below, we have organized a list of ideas for better time management.

  • Lists
    • Creating to-do lists for pending tasks and obligations is extremely useful. Even by using your mobile phone, you can easily organize your priority lists. The Microsoft 365 calendar provided by AKTO also allows you to easily track everything from any device you wish, and to access your course schedule, exam periods, assignments, commitments, as well as group projects or social activities you choose.
  • Break-down
    • Break down tasks or projects! Often, some obligations seem difficult to manage, but when you ‘break them down’ into smaller activities, they become much more feasible and achievable.
  • Priorities
    • You cannot do everything at once. Prioritize your tasks and establish an order. Evaluating requirements and submission deadlines will help you prioritize your needs.
  • Realistic Goals
    • Set realistic goals in everything you do and do not sabotage yourself with unattainable expectations.
  • Study
    • Experiment: Find out how and where you study best. Do you feel more focused and creative at the School, at home, or in a library? Do you prefer studying with fellow students, or does independent study make you feel more productive? What is the best way for you to take notes? Handwritten or perhaps recorded?
    • The sketchbook, whether digital or traditional, is an extremely useful tool in Art & Design studies for capturing your associations and ideas.
    • AKTO’s Libraries are also a hub for creative collaborations, group, and individual study. Explore the hours you find most suitable for your own study.

Socialization

  • Socialization
    • Socialization is another fundamental aspect of the School, as the study environment provides students with the opportunity to meet many different people. This could include creative strolls in the center of Athens or Thessaloniki, visits to museums, galleries, cafes, historic streets, bars, and restaurants in the city, theaters, and many other places with events you can visit in your free time.
  • Clubs / Groups
    • The city has many groups that welcome students, and there is something for everyone. From film clubs, creative writing groups, dance, theater groups, gaming, fashion, and many other activities that might interest you and help you unwind while socializing.

Self-Care

  • Food
    • When you are studying, you also need to consider your food. What do you need, where will you shop, will you cook, or will you eat ready-made food? AKTO operates a Canteen with snacks, and generally, there are many places to get ready-made food. However, if you want to eat properly and more economically, preparing meals at home is certainly more beneficial. For shopping, there are many supermarkets in all neighborhoods, as well as organic product stores, while Athens and Thessaloniki have Farmers’ Markets daily, even on weekends, offering fresh vegetables and fruits of very good quality and at excellent prices.
  • Exercise
    • Whatever you enjoy doing, do not forget to exercise. Keep yourself in shape through a sport, an activity, or even an outing where you choose to walk alone or with friends. There are also organized excursions for walks to nearby destinations, such as Parnitha in Athens and Seich Sou in Thessaloniki. Discover ways to incorporate activities that will boost your immune system and make you feel well.
  • Rest
    • Time management is crucial to ensure you achieve a balance between professional and personal life. Always enjoy what you want, but also set aside some time to rest and sleep well.
  • Laundry
    • For many of us, student life offers the first opportunity to do our own laundry. Even if you don’t have your own washing machine, there are laundromats you can visit to do your washing. They also have dryers, so once you finish washing, you can dry your clothes and take them home ready and dry. The process costs only a few euros and is certainly more enjoyable when you do it with friends!

Work, Volunteering & Further Training

  • Part-time Work
    • Many students choose to work part-time to support their living costs. There is a variety of part-time opportunities in the surrounding area, such as cafes, shops needing sales assistance on Saturdays, professionals requiring help with their social media, and babysitting. Conduct some research and see what suits you best.
  • Volunteering
    • There are also many volunteering opportunities at AKTO, if you are interested, about which you will be informed via your personal AKTO email. Generally, there are many fields for volunteer action. From cultural festivals and events, creative groups, animal welfare organizations, to bodies related to vulnerable groups of people. You can explore these and, depending on your preference and available time, choose the field where you wish to volunteer in Art & Design, the community, and society.
  • Further Training Opportunities
    • AKTO offers a range of courses related to additional qualifications and programs, in which its students can participate. Collaborations are constantly being formed with art institutions, organizations, and businesses, allowing you to take part and gain additional knowledge, while also enriching your portfolio. Lectures are held by the broader AKTO academic and artistic community, along with webinars, festivals, and workshops that encourage creative thinking and enrich the student experience. Monitor your emails daily to find opportunities that suit you.