“Teaching should be such that what is offered is perceived as a valuable gift and not as hard duty..”-ALBERT EINSTEIN

Is Time Tracking the Secret Weapon for Academic Success?

An In-Depth Look at Early (formerly Timeular)

In a world dominated by digital distractions and overloaded schedules, time often feels like the one thing nobody has enough of—especially in education. Students juggle lectures, deadlines, extracurriculars, and a social life, while educators face lesson planning, grading, and admin overload. The advice to “manage your time wisely” sounds great—until reality hits. But what if there was a tool that didn’t just help track your time, but made the process simple, insightful, and even a bit fun?



Enter Early, the rebranded and refreshed version of Timeular—a time-tracking tool that’s quietly gaining traction in productivity circles. With its unique combination of physical hardware, digital syncing, and data-driven insights, Early may just be the EdTech ally that students and teachers didn’t know they needed.

What is Early?

Early is a cross-platform time-tracking solution designed to streamline how you log your work and analyze your productivity. Available on desktop and mobile, Early syncs seamlessly across devices and integrates with Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCal.


What truly sets Early apart is its optional 8-sided physical tracker—a tactile device you flip to switch between tasks. This gamified approach makes tracking feel more like a habit than a chore, adding an element of physical engagement that’s particularly appealing to kinesthetic learners and anyone who struggles with digital-only tools.

Key Features for Students and Educators

The Physical Tracker

This 8-sided die-like tracker lets users assign a specific task to each side. For students, this might mean dedicating sides to subjects like Math, English, or group work. Educators can log time spent on planning, grading, meetings, or professional development. While this use case is anecdotal, it logically fits the flexible design of the device.


Smart Integrations

Early doesn't just rely on manual logging. It offers automatic time tracking based on your apps and activities, and integrates with leading calendar platforms. Online students and remote educators can benefit from seeing exactly how their time is allocated—down to the minute—without needing to manually update a spreadsheet.

Insightful Reporting

One of Early’s most valuable assets is its reporting dashboard. It provides visual breakdowns of how time is spent, allowing users to identify productive vs. wasted hours. These insights can be a game-changer: students can optimize their study sessions, while educators can balance workloads to reduce burnout and reclaim lost time.


The Pros and Cons

What’s Working

  • Intuitive Interface
    Early’s clean, modern design makes it accessible for beginners and power users alike.

  • Motivating Gamification
    The physical tracker turns time tracking into a satisfying routine rather than a repetitive task.

  • Data-Driven Insights
    Real-time analytics offer valuable feedback, helping users build better habits.

Where It Falls Short

  • No Free Plan
    Early offers a generous 30-day trial, but there’s no free-forever tier—a downside for students on a tight budget.

  • Added Hardware Costs
    The physical tracker is sold separately, which can make the tool more expensive overall.

  • Mobile App Limitations (Anecdotal)
    Some users—particularly competitors like Jibble—report that the mobile app lacks the full functionality of the desktop version and can occasionally glitch. While this feedback is not universally documented, it’s worth noting for those who rely heavily on mobile access.

Why Early Matters in Education

While Early isn’t marketed solely as an EdTech tool, its features lend themselves well to academic environments. Time tracking may not sound glamorous, but the ability to visualize where your time goes can foster accountability, discipline, and better planning.


  • For Students: Gain clarity on study habits, reduce procrastination, and plan smarter.

  • For Educators: Balance prep time, grading, and meetings to avoid burnout and improve workflow.

And for anyone who’s ever asked, “Where did the day go?”—Early delivers the answers in full color charts.

Final Verdict: Worth the Investment?

Early isn’t for everyone—but for those serious about taking control of their time, it’s a powerful ally. The physical tracker is a standout feature that sets it apart from basic time-tracking apps. Add in smart integrations and rich analytics, and you have a tool that’s equal parts practical and motivating.

That said, the price tag—especially with the added cost of the physical device—may deter some students or educators. And without a permanent free plan, Early might not fit every budget.

Bottom line: If you value your time and want to use it more effectively, Early is a compelling option worth exploring.

References

  • Connecteam. (2025). Honest EARLY (Timeular) Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Features & Pricing.

  • G2. (2025). EARLY Reviews 2025: Details, Pricing, & Features.

  • Jibble. (2025). Honest EARLY (Timeular) Review by a Competitor | 2025.

  • Research.com. (2025). Timeular Review 2025: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons, Ratings & More.

  • Timeular (now Early). (2025). EARLY: Time Tracking That Doesn't Make You Want to Cry. https://early.app

Comments

Post a Comment