Time Management Skills
Whether you’re fresh out of high school or working two jobs while raising a family, these time management strategies and tips for college students will help keep you organized and your assignments on time.
Write down everything
Write down things as you hear them - many professors will give reminders about assignments or will address them for the first time in class. Putting them into your calendar or planner right then will help avoid you forgetting about it later.
Use your phone for good
Your phone can serve as an on-the-go calendar and scheduler. Setting reminders can help you keep due dates and other important commitments in mind as you go through your day.
Apps can be helpful too, with project management and productivity apps like Trello serving as digital to-do lists. If you are tempted to check social media regularly during your study time, try one of the many apps that block social media and other distractions.
Stick to a routine
Getting into a routine can reduce uncertainty about when and how you will fit in homework and study time on top of school and work. Create a routine at the beginning of the semester so you can adjust to it early and then see if you have leftover time for other engagements.
Stay organized
Keeping your school work organized can be a huge factor in saving you some time throughout the week, especially if you’re taking more than one class at a time. If you have separate binders, notebooks and folders for each class, you’ll quickly be able to find what you need.
Avoiding clutter isn’t just important when organizing your notes and hand-outs. Be sure to keep your computer desktop organized in a way that always allows you to locate the files you’ll need for each particular class.
Checklists are your friend
Printing or writing out checklists for each class or each day of the week can be a helpful way of remembering everything you need to get done. Try color-coordinating tasks by importance or subject (such as school or work) to help you better visualize what needs to get done.
Find a balance
At times it may seem as though the pile of work you have is insurmountable. Work encroaches on school, and who even has time for a social life?
In times like these, it’s important to step back and take a deep breath. “Ask your family and friends to support you during these challenging times of juggling work and school, but also give them permission to confront you if they think you’re driving yourself—and them—crazy at times,” says Anita Thomas, senior vice president at Edvisors.
It’s okay to recognize when you are overwhelmed and to ask for help. Maybe that means dropping an activity or reducing your credit load. Time management means nothing if you are physically, emotionally and psychologically drained. Finding the perfect balance may take time, but it’s key to your happiness and success.
Adapted from