How to Use Time Management Skills in College

Although some high school students nowadays have loaded schedules with after school activities and hours of homework on a daily basis, the first year in college is also a time to re-learn how to manage your time because you will be the only one making the decisions. To learn how to pace yourself, follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Avoid the first-month jitters. Before embarking on your college adventure, it's a good idea to visit the school to get an idea of the campus and locate all your classes.
2. Choose the right organization(s) for you. Many students feel overwhelmed by the abundance of organizations and activities offered. Not wanting to miss anything, some choose 5 or 6, pay the fees and never attend the meetings. Follow your bliss. Do not join an organization simply because it might lead to job interviews, if you do not like the activities. Do not join an organization because your friend has joined because you will have to pay semester fees, sometimes expensive, so make sure it is worth it FOR YOU. Decide which organization will benefit your university career AND give you enjoyment.
3. Put the cart before the horse. Once you have decided which extra-curricular activities you want, consult your semester schedule. Which organizations will not compete with your class schedules? Remember: Your primary goal in college is to study. Do not join so many organizations so that you never have enough time to crack open a book until exam week.
4. Venture off campus if no campus organization appeals to you. Volunteer to tutor a child after school. Join a dance class (some gymnasiums offer discounts for students). Remember that college is a time of self-discovery—much of which you will do outside the classroom, while interacting with other people.
5. Choose a day to prepare your weekly schedule and gear up for the week ahead. Always ask yourself: "what can I leave out?" This may sound defeatist but in fact, it is practical. What you cannot afford to omit is your PRIORITY.
6. Designate specific hours of study and adhere to them. Otherwise, you may never get to it. Discipline is key.
7. Build a support system. It is advisable that you visit your professors and guidance counselor periodically during the semester. Although they may seem like distant academic figures, they are people, too. If you build a relationship with them, it will be easier to ask for help when you are in a pit. For example, you may get sick at the end of the semester and need an extension.
8. Know that sleep is not optional. In order to give your 100% when awake, you will need to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
9. Blow off steam. Stress reduces your productivity, thereby clogging your schedule. Make a list of stress-relieving activities. Examples include: exercise, dance, a 30-minute coffee break with a friend, reading a humorous book, or going to a movie or play.

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