The fall Ribaat semester is here—courses began on September 7, 2025! Whether you’re a new student or returning for another term, one of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to have a time management plan in place before classes begin.
The truth is, no single method works for everyone. You may find that a mix of techniques is most effective. Here are a few approaches you might try:
1. Time Blocking (by Parts of the Day)
Instead of setting exact start times for each task, divide your day into four parts: morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Assign certain types of activities to each. This removes the pressure of doing something at an exact time while still keeping you on track.
Example: Mornings may be busy with school drop-offs and work, but you could dedicate fifteen minutes to your Quran reading. Afternoons might be for dhikr and a course assignment. Evenings could be for exercise, and nights for family or personal reflection.
2. The Pomodoro Technique
Set a timer for twenty-five minutes. Focus fully on one task—no distractions, no checking your phone, no emails, no nothing. When the timer ends, take a five-minute break. Repeat as needed until your task is complete. This is especially useful for deep-focus work like Ribaat course readings or writing assignments.
3. “Eat the Frog”
Do your hardest task first. If one of your Ribaat courses feels more challenging, tackle it early in the day. Everything else will feel easier afterward.
4. Start Small for Momentum
On the flip side, some people work better by starting with the easiest task to build momentum. This can help you “warm up” before moving on to more difficult material.
5. The Three-Task Rule
Choose no more than three must-complete tasks for your day. For beginners, start with just one. Make sure your Ribaat coursework is part of this list—whether that’s a daily reading, attending a live lecture, or completing an assignment. This keeps you from feeling overwhelmed.
Before ending your day, make a mental note of the three priorities for the next day so you’re not wandering aimlessly when it begins.
6. The Eisenhower Matrix
Draw a grid with four boxes: urgent and important, not urgent but important, urgent but not important, and not urgent and not important. Place each task where it belongs.
Example: If you like working ahead, your Ribaat assignments may go in not urgent but important. As deadlines approach, they move into urgent and important—ideally, before the last minute!
7. Task Chunking
Group similar tasks together. You might set aside one block of time for Ribaat assignments, another for household chores, another for self-care, and another to check your emails. This reduces mental switching and increases focus.
Before You Begin…
Take a week to observe how you currently spend your time. You can use a copy of this timesheet to track your time for a full week. It can help you reflect and make changes with intention.
Above all, make dua for baraka in your time, and take the steps within your control to use it well. As the Quran reminds us:
Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. (Quran 13:11)
Fatima Naeem, Rabateer