Time management is huge for me. I’m the type of person that loves to keep busy or else I get too bored. So already, I fill my schedule with a lot of things. The other thing about me when it comes to my schedule, is that I’m a “yes man.” If someone needs help with anything, I will gladly take on jobs that they delegate to me. This can become problematic when you also throw in the fact that I have to do schoolwork on top of everything else.
Here is a rundown of everything I do on campus. I am in a sorority. That is already a huge time commitment. I usually have to dedicate 10 hours a week to that organization. I am going to serve on the University Programming Council for the 2016-2017 school year. That means that I will be planning events for students to go to so that they can enjoy the college experience. My advisor said that would take about 7 hours out of my week, however it also depends on the week. I will be taking 15 credits, so that’s 15 hours a week. It is also advised to study 2 times the amount of class time, so 30 hours a week for studying. I’m also involved with Dance Marathon which will probably take 2 hours out of my week. Circle of sisterhood will take about 1 hour per week. I meal prep for 2 to 3 hours every Sunday, try to watch about 2 hours of TV a week, and get 8 hours of sleep every night. This means that I have about 6 hours of free time every day of the week, and that doesn’t include eating, getting ready, the gym, or any personal hygiene needs I need to take care of. Basically, I’m busy. But I have picked up a lot of tricks that help me get through it all as smoothly as possible.
Create a schedule
This one is super important. Make the most basic schedule possible. On this should be listed things that happen every single week for the most part and never change time or place. On my basic schedule, I put my classes, my meetings that always meet at the same time on the same day, and office hours that I have scheduled. Once I have the core down, I print 16 copies (because that’s the number of school weeks). For every week I can write in everything that isn’t already on there. This can be meetings that meet irregularly, events that don’t happen every week, good times to study, and all that jazz. Then I hang it up above my desk in my room so that I can see it every morning and know what my day looks like. I also usually take a picture on my phone of the day because I can be forgetful when I’m out and about.
Make Lists
Another thing I do is make lists. This isn’t as much about keeping track of time as it is making sure that the time used is productive. For example, I always need a list when I’m studying. If I don’t write down a list of tasks to get done in that time, I will forget what I need to do and then get on websites that are the black holes of productivity (I’m looking at you Facebook, but Tumblr and Pinterest are still on the hook!).
Use a planner
I am huge about using my planner. This is my on the go companion. When I make my schedule this is my reference point. In my planner I write down everything on my syllabi for classes, events, things that are subject to change, and I pencil in meetings, appointments, and coffee dates with friends. This is great for making plans with people, helping me make the lists written above, and giving me a space to get dirty so the final schedule above my desk is clean and organized.
Prioritize
This has always been the hardest one for me because, of course, I would much rather hang out than be productive. It’s the curse of being extroverted. A good way I remember to do this is by color coding (which is my favorite thing in the whole world). Everything that needs to be done ASAP is written or highlighted in red, next is orange, yellow, green, and on down the rainbow. It makes things colorful and pretty while also reminding you what you should be doing over other things. This is also helpful if you’re like me and will say that other, more fun, work is a higher priority at the moment when it just isn’t.
Routines, Routines, Routines
Creating routines is the best possible thing you can do for those everyday things you do. This makes sure that there is little dilly dallying, and that you can move on with your day. I have a routine for the morning, which also includes a makeup routine, I have a routine for getting ready for bed so that I can make sure I’m getting my beauty sleep, and I have a routine for Sundays because on those days, I meal prep, and de-stress.
Time management isn’t impossible. It also isn’t easy, but if you follow these tips, you will begin to live a much more organized life and you won’t have to worry about taking on too many things or being a yes man, like me. Have a nice week everyone, and get your life organized!
Love,
Amelia!
