A college schedule is less regimented than a high school schedule. Administrators plan nearly every moment of every day in high school. Sure, you can do whatever you want, whenever you want. However, it would be beneficial if you did not overlook the implications of this. And, most importantly, effective time management.
Most of you have probably never given time management much thought. However, without it, college would be more difficult and less rewarding. As a result, time management is critical for all college students. You’ll be unstoppable if you can master college time management in your first semester.
Furthermore, time management in college is a skill that you can use for the rest of your life. It can, for example, assist you in managing your future work and personal responsibilities — also known as work-life balance.
As a result, we have created a guide to assist you in effectively managing your time as you begin college.
Recognize time wasters and set goals
We have all been distracted at some point in our lives. You should, however, be aware of what causes you to lose focus on your studies and assignments.
- Do you spend too much time on social media playing Fortnite?
- Are you constantly texting and answering personal calls while studying?
- Are you finding that you spend a lot of time aimlessly browsing the web?
Set a goal not to do anything that wastes your time during dedicated study time. Instead, use those activities as rewards for staying focused and completing your tasks.
Get ahead
In college, there will be more significant assignments, such as research papers. Experts recommend starting these larger projects well ahead of their due dates while still in high school, rather than cramming at the last minute. It is also necessary to prepare for tests that are scheduled in advance.
Make this a summer priority if you’ve already graduated. Getting a check-up before starting college is one example. Most incoming first-year students must provide a recent physical exam and vaccination history before registering for classes. Also, if you plan on living on campus, don’t put off choosing your housing, meal plan, or purchasing dorm necessities.
“If you have a research paper due in 2 weeks, find your research within the first two or three days, then work on reading it for the next four or five days, and then write the paper,” advises Jodi Bahr, a science teacher at Harvard Middle School and Harvard High School in Nebraska, also known as Harvard Public School, and the National Science Teaching Association’s high school science teaching division director.
Work directly from your schedule
You are not required to delete your to-do list. To-do lists are useful in many ways. However, working directly from your calendar would be beneficial.
When you work directly from your calendar, your mindset shifts from task-based to time-based. You can use a calendar to see when deadlines are and how much time you have left. Furthermore, it can heighten the sense of urgency for time-sensitive tasks to be completed first.
You can see when you have a lot of work due and when you have fewer things to do by using your calendar view. And, if your social schedule needs to be adjusted due to a due date, you’ll be notified right away.
Keep work and play time separate
There are times when you should work and times when you should have fun. So allocate your time accordingly. While there are exceptions, such as throwing a study pizza party with a classmate, it is not always possible to work and have fun at the same time.
Ask for help
Asking for assistance frequently takes the form of delegation, which is a time management technique. Take turns cleaning, for example, if you live with roommates. You will be able to focus more on schoolwork (or social activities) if you do this.
You could also ask a classmate what tricks they use to stay organized. And, if you’re really struggling, find out what resources your school provides. There are also numerous free mental health resources available to college students.
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