Throughout a few semesters in college, one of the most important things I've learned is time management and how to use your time more effectively. Time management can be tricky when we move out on our own, get our first jobs, and are struggling to keep up with school work. By putting in minimal effort, you can improve your time management skills throughout college.
1. Make a schedule.
Allow for your schedule to be flexible, but structured. Between social lives, school, and work, it can get pretty hectic, which is why sticking to a tight schedule is nearly impossible.
2. Make lists.
To me, lists are much more effective than a schedule will be. It's easy to see what I need to do for each of my classes for the week and how much studying I need to do for the next week.
3. Avoid studying in your bed.
Your brain associates your bed with sleep. The moment you crawl into bed with your books, the chances of you taking a nap are much higher. Or, vice versa. Your brain begins to associate your bed with studying, so when you try to sleep, you won't be able to. Study someplace besides your room!
4. Prioritize.
Put assignments that have a closer deadline or will take longer to accomplish first, even if it's a research paper you've been dreading for half of the semester. When the assignment's done, you'll be glad you finished it and you can move onto easier assignments. Also, instead of binge-watching Netflix before work or class, try knocking out a lab report or a discussion post. This way, you'll be able to relax afterward and not have to submit the assignment seconds before it's due.
5. Set goals and meet them.
In college, I find that short-term goals are better at keeping you motivated than long-term ones. It's important to have a mixture of both, but goals, like studying every day for a difficult class or finishing a research paper a week before it's due, keep you motivated through the semester and make the 16 weeks go by much faster.
6. JUST DO IT!!!
Procrastinating is by far the worst thing you can do in college and effects your time management skills greatly. When you wait until the last second to do an assignment, it makes it so much harder to complete. I struggle with procrastinating the most, but I try to remind myself that if I put in the work, I have more free time later on. Work hard, play harder.
