3 Necessities For Effective Time Management

Everyone struggles with managing their time here and there. I know I struggle terribly with time management and planning correctly. Learning to manage time in college is a lot harder than it seems like it would be. From someone like me - who is in three organizations, full-time student, and in a sorority - time management is the key to my daily life (even though I am not always so great at it). Here are three tips on how to manage your time wisely.

1. Get a planner.

Planners are a great way to manage your time. It helps you remember everything you need to do. Write down important dates, times, and due dates. In college, this seems to help a lot of individuals. There are several types of planners available. For me, I like the Lily design planners which you can get at JcPenny. Though some planners are expensive, you can find one at an affordable cost. Planners are a great source for anyone who has to write important information down. I love, love, love, my planner; without it, I feel like I will forget when I have somewhere to be, the time, and when assignments are due.

2. Get a calendar.

If planners aren't your thing, I would definitely recommend a dry-erase calendar or a paper one. This way you can hang it on the wall of your room and be reminded daily of what you need to get done. It kind of works as a planner but you can't carry around on your person. I find this useful as well because it allows you to write down certain dates and be reminded every day without having to open up a planner or notebook. You can also color-coordinate certain events. For example, my school subjects are in different colors: science = orange, math = purple, etc.

3. Get some sticky notes.

Buy sticky notes. Place sticky notes absolutely everywhere you typically go. Put one on all the mirrors, by doors, by pretty much anything you think would be necessary. Write small reminders on each of them. This will help you to remind yourself of the smallest things you have to take care of. For example, say your rent is due for your apartment on the fifth of each month; write yourself a small Post-It reminding yourself to pay it and place it where you find it would be best. I personally have not tried this technique, but I hear it works fairly well.

Though I am NOT an expert of time management, it truly does help. I mean, this is coming from a girl who tries to manage a million things at once (definitely do NOT recommend putting too much on yourself). Throughout college, having the ability to manage your time will be in your favor if you do it correctly. Be ahead of your assignments, arrive to all important events on time, and be at the right location.

P.S. : Do NOT be like the rabbit from "Alice In Wonderland" (: