There are multiple factors that contribute to a successful college career, but one of the most important ones is utilizing your time wisely. In high school, classes were all chunked together and there was no need to worry about wasting time between those classes. Unless you participated in an after-school club or sport, your day was free after around 3 p.m. and you could focus on relaxing, doing your homework and studying.

One of the most common problems that college students face is finding a way to maximize their productivity in school because they don't have the luxury of having their schedule made for them. Classes become spread out and scattered throughout the day and as a result, a lot of time gets wasted because it's difficult to be productive in the half hour to one-hour intervals between classes. Many students also find it difficult to keep their eating habits consistent throughout the week because their classes are at different times every day, which directly contributes to student performance.

While the issue at hand may seem daunting, with a little bit of effort and reflection on your personal habits, it can be quite simple and rewarding to use your time effectively. Knowing yourself and what you value, like whether you are a morning person or a night person, if you study better in the afternoon or evening, are essential to creating the best schedule for you. After identifying what your personality traits, it is important to choose class times wisely so that they best match your habits. In order to waste less time, a good tip is to try to schedule your classes so they are back to back rather than spread out in the day. This way, you have a designated chunk of time where you are attending class and a set time for other commitments.

Another valuable tip is to plan out what you intend to do with your time every single hour of the day and where you are going to be during those times on campus. By making an hour by hour plan for the day, you'll never be worried about not knowing what to do and where you need to go. You'll fall into a comfortable routine.

Lastly, make sure you leave slight gaps in your schedule or places where you can be flexible in case events, meetings or other spontaneous plans arise. You never know who you will meet or where life will take you! Maximizing your time in college will help you feel less stressed and more prepared to tackle the semester and be the thriving student that you are.