Time Management in College

September 1st, 2009

It seems like college life comes built-in with distractions. You probably live in a dorm, filled with hundreds of people your own age who have stocked their rooms with food, drinks and every imaginable type of entertainment. For the most part, you rarely need to leave, except to look for more food, drinks or entertainment. As fun as college is, though, it also comes with a lot of responsibility. This combination can be hard to manage, and this is when learning how to manage your time will save you stress. Here are some steps to managing your time effectively, while leaving as much time as possible for fun.

The first step to managing your time is to buy a calendar. Find one that works best for you. Maybe you need a large day planner, or maybe the calender app on your iPhone is just what you need. Just make sure not to give up on your schedule just because one type of calender isn’t what you need. Keep trying new things until you find one that works.

Next, schedule everything. Schedule in your classes, including the time it takes to get there and back. Write in exams, meetings, sports practices or group sessions. Basically schedule everything that requires you to be at a certain place at a certain time. Next, schedule the things that can be done anytime, like working on a paper or cleaning your room.

Make a to-do list that includes everything that needs to be done in your life. Include everything from shopping for groceries to spending an hour studying for a final. Make a list of main to-do items for the week, then break the list down and spread the tasks out over the days of the week.

Make sure to plan ahead. Look over all the important events that you have coming up, like tests, research deadlines, school events or parties, and make sure to make extra time in your schedule for those things. For example, schedule the majority of your study time for before a big party so you will have time to recover afterward.

You should also overestimate study and writing time. Don’t block off so much time that it will cause you to become distracted and spend even less time working, but make sure to block off a couple extra hours just in case you have trouble finishing.

Also, allow for flexibility in your schedule. If you have a schedule that works for you, it should allow you to effortlessly shift your plans, because you have already spent enough time taking care of important things. Make sure you schedule your time so you’re accomplishing your goals, but still have time to relax and have a good time.

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