| If we schedule multiple tasks in a given day and | | | | work is written in red. Different colors make the |
| underestimate how long it will take to complete them, | | | | individual commitments stand out on the page, making |
| we will be forced to shove excess over to the next | | | | them more difficult to overlook. |
| day. Invariably, it seems, this leads to more reshuffling | | | | More Time Management Tips |
| and a move from organization to chaos. | | | | Calendars and schedules are not the only effective |
| College students are often surprised by how quickly | | | | time management techniques for college students. |
| they run out of time. Between the hours required for | | | | - Rest and nutrition - While rest and proper nutrition |
| studying, classes, work, socializing, and extracurricular | | | | may not seem like ways to manage time, they can |
| activities, there never seems to be enough time to | | | | make a difference in performance. Just as a vehicle |
| accomplish everything. | | | | needs routine maintenance to run well, and fuel to |
| Unfortunately, students quickly feel overwhelmed, | | | | even start, the human body needs proper nutrients to |
| leading to spending every moment on studies or letting | | | | function effectively. Taking the time to eat regular |
| grades slip in favor of other activities. Effective time | | | | meals keeps bodily functions regular, increases the |
| management skills, however, can make it possible to | | | | ability to think and concentrate, and increases the |
| accomplish more in less time, and still have time for the | | | | amount of energy available to perform any task. |
| fun stuff. | | | | Without proper rest and nutrition, stress levels, irritability, |
| Calendars | | | | and the tendency to procrastinate increase. |
| Every activity comes with a schedule, from class | | | | - Combine activities - Combining activities is an |
| meeting times to work schedules to activity meetings. | | | | excellent way to increase study time without taking |
| Calendars, written agendas, and planners can be used | | | | time away from other activities. If getting to work |
| to combine those schedules into one master schedule. | | | | requires riding the city bus, use the travel time to |
| Create a master schedule by first writing in your class | | | | review lecture notes. Music selections while walking or |
| meeting times for every day of the week, and then | | | | jogging can be replaced with audio recordings of |
| adding your work schedule and any other activities. | | | | lectures. |
| From there, add blocks of time for studying and | | | | - Get organized - Organization can be a real time |
| homework. The schedule shows, at a glance, which | | | | saver for college students. Keeping textbooks, |
| blocks of time are committed to specific activities and | | | | notebooks, study aids, and writing instruments in one |
| which blocks are free. It is easy to see when there is | | | | specific place, and readily available, saves time in |
| free time for socializing, and it is much easier to | | | | getting started on homework, studying, and even in |
| manage activities without becoming overwhelmed. | | | | getting out the door for class because getting |
| There are other options for filling in calendars to create | | | | everything ready does not require a massive search |
| an effective time management system: | | | | effort. |
| - Write in deadlines and due dates for projects and | | | | Effective time management skills serve to save time |
| assignments. Including in the calendar specific tasks of | | | | and increase production in every area of college life. |
| a project and a timeline for completing them can also | | | | By managing time wisely, students are able to |
| help keep work on track. | | | | accomplish more in less time, while feeling less |
| - Use different colors of ink for different commitments. | | | | stressed and still having time for a life outside of |
| For example, class times could be written in blue, while | | | | school. |