There are only 24 hours in a day and being a college student makes you question if that is enough time to get everything done. Between your classes, your homework, maybe a job, and your social life it can be really hard to manage your time and finish every task. I mean forget about getting your laundry done! There is just no time for that. Our time management skills at this age might need some work. It takes a combination of different things to get through a successful semester and to not go insane while doing so. These are just a few tips that us college students forget time and again.
1. Prioritizing is key to everything.
Yes, binge-watching Netflix is high up on the list of things to do. I know that "Fuller House" is a lot more important to me then Calculus homework, but you have to plan your schedule based on what's most important to succeed in your life and classes. "Fuller House" may have a lesson to every episode, but it's not going to help you get your essay in on time. Do the work or activity that is most important first and make a list of what to do next. You'll be able to get everything done first and have time later to do what you need to survive weeks of school.
2. Commit to a plan.
If you tell yourself you're going to go to the library all day Saturday to write that paper, make sure you stick to it. Making plans will only be successful if you stick to what you set out to do. By spending the time you've reserved out of your weekend to finish, it's one less thing top check off your list.
3. Know what time works best for you.
Some people can work late at night while others are morning people who want to get it done bright and early. It's important to know when you work best and to follow that so you're more productive.
4. Use your weekends wisely.
Talking about weekends, be sure to use them to your advantage. Weekends are a great time to enjoy yourself and de-stress from the week that just passed, but you can't forget about that thesis due on Monday. Take the mornings and early afternoon to get your work done on a Saturday so that way you can go out Saturday night and be not have to worry about any assignments on Sunday afternoon. You want to be able to go out and have a good time without the school work haunting you.
5. Do not overwhelm yourself.
Taking an extra class or joining an extra club can be possible in some people's schedules, for other it can just be too much. Know yourself and know how much you can take on. With fall scheduling just around the corner, your course load is entirely up to you. Do what you can handle. If you don't think you can handle an extra class, taking them in the summer or winter is a great option. As for joining a new club, maybe drop something you're not that interested in or wait until the next semester when you feel like you have more time to handle it.
6. Your phone might make your life more difficult.
Trying to study while your phone is going off can make it even harder. It will be difficult to pay attention to the task on hand. Put the phone to the side and leave it silent until you feel like you've finished enough work to scroll through Instagram.
7. Get some sleep.
Nothing is more important then getting sleep. Yes, your school work is important and yes, your social life is too, but you can't do anything unless you get the rest to make it through the day. US News and Report said that college age students need to be getting "seven to eight hours of sleep per night." They went on to say that "if a student is sleep deprived, it affects the whole process. Students aren't able to learn, they're not able to remember, it's harder to concentrate and it affects mood." Make sure you get your sleep in between all the other things to do. Your grades and your body will thank you.
The goal of college is to get good grades and come out with a job after receiving your diploma, but college is about enjoying yourself too. Follow these steps, do all your work, go out, and have some fun. If you know yourself and your habits you can make everything work maybe even that laundry that's been piling up.
