Being a full-time college student is a lot. Usually you are running from class to class, trying to keep on top of your studies, meeting deadlines to pass your courses, and at the end of the day you’re just trying to have a social life. It can be pretty hectic. Not to mention the additional responsibilities, aside from schoolwork, that adds to your college load. If you are involved on campus, which is always highly recommended by anyone, you’re either rushing to make it to your Student Government meeting on time, giving a tour of the school to potential students and their families, practicing your lines for the most recent play, or excusing yourself from class to catch the bus before it leaves for your volleyball match in Chicopee. With a schedule as crazy as it can be how are you ever going to be able to keep track of it all, let alone find the time to do it all? Take it from a college senior; in order to succeed, you need to master the one thing that many college students struggle with, time management.

Time management is the key to success for any college student. It is an important skill to be able to designate your time in order to be productive but also to relax and enjoy yourself, not only in college but also with anything in life. Managing your time varies from person to person; one method might work for one person but not another. It is important to know yourself and find a system that works best for you.

One way to manage your time is to use a planner. A planner allows you to organize your time by presenting everything you have to do, whether it’s schoolwork, athletics, extra-curricular’s, and social life. Planning out every hour of your day can be extremely beneficial, because everything you need to accomplish lies in front of you. For example, if you have class from nine to twelve, practice three to five, and a club meeting at six, you can plan your day accordingly. So when you have some free time you will be able to plan on hitting the library to get some work done or hitting the sheets to get that afternoon nap in. The hardest part is sticking to it.

With a planner it is helpful to include important dates for assignments, papers, exams, presentations, etc., that way you are able to stay on top and have everything planned out ahead of time. Also, you can easily set goals for yourself to finish a certain amount of work by a specific date. Maybe that requires you to break work up so that you do a little each day, or to find a time that you work best and when you are most productive. This way you will not feel as overwhelmed and will be less likely to procrastinate. It is all up to you and the style that works for you.

Another tactic to try is putting together a weekly priority list. According to the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, making a weekly-priority list takes into account all assignments, whether they are long-term or short-term. It is less demanding than a planner and rather of daily it is put together weekly. Before each school week, put together a list of dates to complete work that needs to be passed in, events that need to be attended, material that should be read, and information that should be reviewed. It is a great way to establish your priorities and build flexibility in your schedule. Again, finding a way that works best for you is the secret to managing your time correctly.

If you still are having trouble finding a tactic that works best for you or even just trying to stick to one, reach out the resources offered at your school. A specific resource that Regis College, and other schools, offer is the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), According to their website, they are “dedicated to enhancing the success of graduate and undergraduate students of all abilities.” One of the resources they offer is academic coaching, which aids students with time management. The academic coach serves as a mentor, a teacher and a guide in enhancing a student’s ability to acquire these important skills. The coach and student will review syllabi and assignments, help students make a calendar with classes and assignments, identify goals and motives, and even help with study habits.

Taking full advantage of tools, like this one, offered through the school helps you adjust to the college workload. They will teach you skill that you will utilize beyond the college campus, like organization techniques, study tips, self-discipline, and ultimately time management.

When managing your time keep the following in mind: establish priorities and goals, be real with yourself, get enough sleep, break up your work, compromise, and know when it is crunch time and when it is party time. If one thing is for sure, never forget the main goal is to get that diploma.