Changing Lives, Transforming Communities
The tnAchieves Blog
Time Management Tips
May 21, 2020
College is likely the first time you are setting your own schedule – a very exciting but potentially very scary task! As great as it can be to have more free time on your hands, too much free time can lead to procrastinating and becoming disorganized. This may be the first time that you are working a part-time or full-time job. It may also be the first time you have to create your own class schedule and find a balance between work, home and school. All of this can be daunting!
Managing time wisely is a common challenge, particularly for college students. Time management is a skill that you will need throughout your time as a student as well as once you join the workforce. College is the perfect time to perfect your time management skills!
Here are some tips for managing time effectively, staying organized and finding balance:
- Set a schedule and stick to it – This means taking the time to set a schedule for your classes, time at work and any other obligations you have. It also means sticking to that schedule. Simply setting a schedule is pointless if you do not follow it! (See examples below.)
- Use your technology – We all have more access to technology than ever before, and luckily nearly every device we own comes with some version of a calendar or reminder app. Use those apps to your advantage!
- Avoid distractions – That same technology that can be a great tool for staying organized can also be super distracting. Make sure to put your phone and computer away while studying. Try to find a quiet place to study, play some soothing music and get to it!
- Use the ‘old-fashioned’ method – A paper calendar or planner may seem archaic, but it can be a gamechanger to have everything written in one place! Keep a planner in your bag or have a calendar at your desk. It can be really helpful to take time at the start of every new semester to write out all of your upcoming assignments then plan your work shifts accordingly.
- Figure out your priorities – School should always be number one, but we understand that other things are important to you too! Make a list of what you HAVE to do, what you NEED to do soon and what you WANT to do. Schedule out your week or month in advance so that you can reduce stress day-to-day.
- Do schoolwork ahead of time – That’s right, ahead of time! Procrastinating and leaving work until the last minute is stressful and leads to a lower quality of work. Set rewards or incentives for yourself to do work ahead of time. For example, if a paper is due next Wednesday have it done by Monday so you can hang out with friends on Tuesday.
- Take care of yourself – This may be the most important tip of all: In order to do your best and feel your best you have to take care of yourself. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and doing activities that make you happy!
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