Is Your Time Well Managed?

When you start college, you realize rather quickly that you have a lot of free time. What seems like a suspicious amount of time to do whatever, is really meant for you to learn how to manage your time. Learning how to manage your time wisely is essential to your success throughout college.

I am sure that someone has told you that time management will be a key factor when you have three midterms, two papers, and a group project all due within the same week. And let’s not forget that there’s the homecoming concert, the tailgate, and the homecoming game that you’re trying to catch with your new bestie that just so happens to end at the same time your Business Law Exam is due.

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Here are a few ways to help ease the burden of a balancing a hectic school schedule with everything else that life throws at you:

Get an organizer

I know it is kind of cliché and people have told you about getting one for like…ever, but they really are beneficial. I use to never think I needed one, however, it has been a life saver in many instances. Sometimes you do not even need to utilize it for writing down homework assignments. I mainly use it as a planner and have all my upcoming assignments, tests, and events so that I can see what is ahead and not forget what I need to be doing to prepare. This has been tremendously helpful for some of my hardest classes and most hectic schedules. I highly recommend starting out with this as a way to visually see how you managed your time.

Google Calendar

If you are person that prefers a more technological way of receiving reminders, look into starting a Google Calendar. This application allows you to input everything that you would put in a regular day planner online. Google also allows you to sync this calendar to your other Google accounts. Let’s say you received an email from your professor saying that class will be cancelled on the following Monday. Often times, Google will pick up this conversation with the time and date and input it into your calendar. Same goes for features within your school portal. Some school portals will allow you to sync events and important dates into your Google Calendar and it will notify you when that date is coming up. I also use this as an alternative to my physical calendar in case I forget to check it. I will automatically receive notification on my phone when important dates are approaching.

Reach out to an Expert

There are so many different outlets and resources available to college students on how to manage your time wisely. Most campuses will host events that will cater towards teaching new college entrances how to navigate their crazy schedules. There are also academic advisors and specialist available to students at their respective schools that will guide them towards effective ways to manage their time. If neither option is available to you or just do not appeal to you, consider reaching out to a friend or a peer. If you see someone who seems like they have 101 things going on, ask them how they manage their schedules. Sometimes the best advice comes from people that are in the same boat as you.