LIFESTYLE & TRAVEL

Managing Your Time and Schedule During College

As a college student who is well into their third year, I know the importance of time management skills. It is crucial to juggle being a full-time student, having an internship or another job, leadership positions and extracurriculars while also balancing time for yourself and your loved ones. This is not an easy task by any means. It has taken me a couple of years, through lots of trial and error, to learn what works the best for me. Here are some valuable time management tips I use and have learned throughout my journey.

Use organizational resources

Organization and time management go hand in hand. Use methods that feel authentic and achievable to you! I personally enjoy making daily to-do lists, having an online calendar and using a spreadsheet for my class assignments. These methods help me create goals for what I want to accomplish in a certain day while also keeping my schedule and upcoming due dates in one general hub.

Utilize in-between times

This has been a game changer for me. Sometimes you just have those days where you are bouncing from place to place with no extended breaks in between. This is inevitable. Stop and think about how you use that extra time between activities, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Utilizing these small gaps throughout your schedule to do productive tasks will help you save more time later in the day. For example, doing some homework between classes or reading a book while you wait for the bus can cut down on your workload later.

Build your routine around YOU

Everyone is different and so is their routine. Just because you see that influencer with the perfect 5 a.m. morning routine doesn’t mean that’s what you have to do. Personalize your schedule so it makes sense for you. I struggle to concentrate and get productive tasks done after 7 p.m. Because I know this about myself, I set a strict cutoff to stop all work and academic activities at this time. This also opens up time for hobbies, socializing and relaxation.

Be realistic with yourself

Reflect on all your current obligations when a new opportunity arises. Ask yourself, “Can I handle another responsibility on my plate right now without sacrificing my physical or mental health?” Remember you are human and you can only take on so much.

Never skip out on self-care and social time

Creating time for yourself, your interests and the people in your life should be nonnegotiable. Try thinking of it as another responsibility, something that cannot be ignored and should be incorporated into your schedule. Evaluate your current work/life balance and consider the longevity of the routine.

I hope what I shared with you here are tips you can use throughout your daily routine to promote efficient time management. One last piece of advice I’ll leave with you is to just breathe. Being stressed or overwhelmed is common during college and you’re not alone. You got this, and you will get through it! Just be sure to give yourself some grace along the way!

Sources:

https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/8-time-management-tips-for-students/#5-Prioritize

https://gpacalculate.com/blogs/33-proven-time-management-tips-for-college-students