5 TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Time management is one of the most important organizational skills for any college student. Effective time management is all about finding a balance between your college, work, and social life. Managing time leads to reduced amounts of stress and increases your overall quality of life. Here are 5 ways you can manage your time as a college student.
5 TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
MAINTAIN A CALENDAR
Create a calendar for yourself to keep track of all your college deadlines, upcoming test and quizzes, social events, and work shifts. This will help you to avoid pulling an all-nighter the day before a test or assignment is due or scrambling to make it to a social event. Find what organizing tool works best for you. You can either use a manual calendar, a planner for long-term scheduling, or a digital calendar on your cellphone or smartwatch. If you are using a manual calendar, make sure to keep it on your desk so you can see it every day. If you are using a digital one, make sure to check it every morning.
CREATE A SCHEDULE
Create a personalized schedule according to your priorities. Keep your schedule flexible so that you don’t end up overexerting yourself at the last moment in case of an emergency or commitment. Effective time management doesn’t mean managing your college or work life only. It also means taking adequate time for rest and self-care. Maintaining your overall mental health is important to keep yourself from being too anxious or depressed. Sometimes there is too much to do and not enough time no matter how much you strategize. In such cases, prioritize your work according to the most urgent or most important, making sure you have adequate time to sleep, eat, and also spend time with friends/family.
USE TECHNOLOGY FOR GOOD
Technology has made it far easier for us to manage time efficiently. Instead of mindless scrolling, use your technology for good. Set reminders for yourself throughout the day especially if you have a short attention span or ADHD. Use apps for blocking social media and other distracting sites on your phone while you work. Apps can also help in project management and evaluation of productivity. Make short to-do lists on your cell phones to break down your workload and make it easier to get done.
TAKE APPROPRIATE TIME FOR YOURSELF
Be aware of your body’s natural highs and lows. Some people work best in the morning while others prefer the afternoon. Work when you feel the most energetic to avoid spending an unnecessarily long time on assignments and increase your productivity levels. It is also important that you take breaks in between extensive work. Don’t overexert yourself. Research shows that your body needs a break after working continuously for 9o minutes. Use those breaks to refresh your mind by taking a walk, spending time in nature, or eating out with friends. Try to limit your screen time.
ASK FOR HELP
One of the most overlooked piece of advice for time management is asking for help. Your time management skills will mean nothing and produce no results if you are emotionally and physically exhausted. Contact your professors whenever you don’t understand something. You might be anxious or embarrassed to ask but it will help you in the long run and you will avoid wasting time trying to understand it yourself. Reach out to your counselor whenever you feel overwhelmed. Many counselors or colleges will help you to find tutoring or student support.
Use the above ways to bring order to a chaotic college life and reduce your stress levels!