How to Manage Your Time in College

If I have said it once, I have said it a million times: there is just not enough time in the day for a college student to do everything that needs to get done. You have to go to classes, study, possibly work a job, sleep and eat, and you might just need a few hours of free time every day to keep from going insane. Try cramming that all into one day, and it just does not seem possible. However, if you use these tips, you’ll not only get everything you need to done, you might actually find yourself with more free time.
Make a plan. Make a list, or just spend some time each day prioritizing your activities. Start with the things you absolutely have to do, such as working or going to class. Then move on to the things that you really should do, such as study for the test you have next week. At the bottom of your list should be the things that you want to do or can do another day, such as watching the latest episode of “The Bachelorette” you TiVoed last night.
Avoid procrastination. I cannot count the number of times I have turned on my computer, intent on researching something for class, and ended up on Facebook. Procrastination is a big problem for college students because it robs you of the very limited time you have. To avoid it, turn your computer off when you are doing homework, stick to the your list, and actually study when you say you are going to study. If you have to do something, you have to do it; when is up to you. Procrastinating will not make the obligation go away, so why not tackle it now and be done with it?
Reward yourself. If you have made a list and stay on track, you should have some free time at the end of the day, or the weekend, to do something you really enjoy. Sure, it would be great if you could take 20 hours of classes, study for them all, work a part-time job, and volunteer to help others, but chances are you would burn out. So, take some time – not necessarily a lot, but some – and enjoy yourself. This positive reinforcement might also encourage you to avoid procrastinating and accomplish your goals quicker so that you can get to the good stuff more quickly.
Managing your time while you are in college is all about staying focused and accomplishing the tasks you have set for yourself. Try making a list and see if it works for you. If not, try setting an alarm for specific times you have to study, or study with a friend at a specific time each week. Having a routine that you stick to will help you manage your time.
However, if there really is no way to cram everything you want to do into a day, may need to eliminate some things. Pick your biggest time taker or the activity you enjoy the least and cut it. It’s not worth the stress it causes.
Did any of these tips work for you? Do you have some tips of your own you would like to share? Post them below to share with other EDUinReview readers!
Also Read:
You Need More Than a Watch to Manage Your Schedule
How to Stay Organized in College
Don’t Be Late to Class