In high school, the amount of time I spent studying was slim to none as I was able to pass my tests with little to no effort. My time management was decent, I would go home after school, nap, go to practice, come back home, and go to bed. If I had a test the next day I would review the material but I would not consider it studying in the slightest. I saved my cramming for the next day as my fellow classmates and I studied until the class period came around. It was all so much simpler now that I look back on it. Everyone in my school would get angry if a teacher assigned a one-page paper or a test on a subject that had just been taught. I remember getting angry too but if I would have known just how easy I had it, I would have been completely content.
Right now, I am writing this article a day after it was due because I had a huge final early this morning. I stayed up until 4AM cramming for it and while I know I did well, it was not a very effective thing to do. I know when my deadlines are and you would think that by the end of this semester I would be more aware of those deadlines creeping up but I still get surprised every single time. With my major, I have at least 20 pages of papers due every week and on top of it, I have different organizations (besides Odyssey) in which I need to give my full effort to. This is not an "excuse" or to make anyone have any form of pity for me, I enjoy the work load I have because I love what I am doing. Sure, I stress out and come up short from time to time but I would not change it for the world.
It's hard to manage time. I have good weeks and very, very bad weeks. Doesn't everybody, though?
I'm a sophomore in college and let me tell you: while it gets easier to manage your time, you will have off days, weeks, months, or even semesters. That's okay. Everyone is in the same boat. Yes, I am aware of your roommate who never has homework or your friend who never sleeps because of the amount of work they are given but there is one thing you need to realize: we all struggle. We all have responsibilities to accomplish while keeping a social life, eating healthy meals, and getting an adequate amount of sleep.
Yes, some are naturally successful at time management but a lot of individuals (you are not alone) struggle to balance everything they have. There is no such thing as having "too much on your plate" but there is such thing as "not enough hours in a day". I am involved in a lot on my college campus; however, everything I do is what I really enjoy and see myself doing after graduation.
College is a privilege, not a right. Manage what you have and make the best of it.
