Work smarter, not harder, and you’ll be well on your way to academic success
It’s 8 p.m. on a Friday. Your friends are excited about going out, but you’ve got a paper due by midnight, and you haven’t even started writing. Sound familiar? If you’re like many college students, effectively managing time is one of your biggest challenges. Assignment deadlines war with your desire to go out and have fun, and it’s easy to put work and studying off until tomorrow. But what happens when the deadline comes and you’re nowhere close to being done? That’s when you’ll wish you had more effectively managed your time. Here are a few ways to do just that, and achieve academic success.
First, limit social media. Most of us are constantly checking social media. The lure of Instagram and Snapchat is huge, and it’s easy to think a five-minute break on these sites will recharge you. But one click on social media can lead you down a black hole of cute kitten videos, and hours later you’ll still be no closer to finishing your work. Consider using apps that turn off access to distracting sites, or leave your phone in another room so you aren’t tempted. Some students even uninstall Instagram and Snapchat during exam time. Whatever you do, limiting your social media use will make it easier to focus and use your time effectively.
Figure out who you are. College may be the first time you have the opportunity to make your own schedule. Determine when you do your best work, and maximize that time. Are you a night owl who can really get into the concentration zone after midnight? If so, you may want to choose afternoon classes. Are you an early riser who does your best work at 7 a.m.? Then set your alarm and take advantage of the quiet time before those around you wake up. Whether you prefer working under a cloak of darkness or watching the sun rise, schedule study time for when you’re best able to focus.
Plan your days, weeks, months, and even semesters. OK, planning a whole semester in advance might be a bit much, but planning is a great way to ensure you use your time effectively. Create a calendar that includes all assignments and deadlines for your classes. Map out when you need to be in class, when you need to work, and when you need to study or do homework. Knowing that you have dedicated times for each task will make it easier for you to keep to the schedule, and will help keep you motivated and focused on what you need to accomplish.
Studying is hard work, so get plenty of rest. This doesn’t mean you should sleep the day away, but it makes sense to ensure you’re getting enough sleep each night. A lack of sleep can impact your ability to concentrate, so even if you did plan time to study, you wouldn’t be effective because you’d be too tired.
Don’t forget to have some fun! Time management includes ensuring you have some time to kick back. When you complete a task or tasks on your to-do list, reward yourself with something you enjoy, like streaming a show or going to the gym. This positive reinforcement will make you want to work efficiently to finish your various assignments, because you know it’ll net you a reward.
Most importantly, do what works for you. Everyone is different, and so is their process for time management. You might be a night owl, and your roommate an early riser. Your roommate may work best with music in the background, and you may need complete silence. Don’t worry about how others are doing their work, just figure out a process that works for you — and stick to it.
Learning how to manage your time doesn’t happen overnight. You may need to try a few different approaches before finding one that works, but don’t give up. If you follow these tips, you’ll be well on your way. And once you are effectively managing your time, you can stop stressing, finish assignments on time, and enjoy being a college student. Happy time management!
Telaina Marissa Henry, Navajo, is a senior at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo., studying organismal biology.
Did any habits from high school help you with managing your time in college?
I can definitely remember that in high school I was focused on finishing classes for the day and getting to cross-country, basketball, and track and field practice before everyone started. I was rushing all the time, and sometimes forgot about stuff that needed to be done. I wish that high school would have been a good start for me to understand and learn time-management skills. After I started college, the first year really tested me because I had to adapt to all the free time. I bought my first planner, and that has helped me ever since.
Some students find too much unscheduled time can make it difficult to focus and complete required tasks. Is that true for you?
I believe it’s true because I had an experience where I was leaving on a trip to San Antonio for a conference and I needed to do all my work in two days. I got the job done, but in the end my sleep schedule was sacrificed. I think the busier you are the more determined you are to get things done right away. Just knowing that you have deadlines to meet is always a plus too. When I have too much time on my hands, I get into a mind-set of, “Oh, that isn’t due until next week. I still have time,” or “Maybe I’ll wait until Friday to work on a paper that’s due that evening.” This can sometimes be damaging mentally and physically as well as grade-wise because I’ll try to finish everything that day and it will not work out.
What’s worked for you when it comes to balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities?
I write down my schedule in my planner and keep it up to date. I’ll even take the time to enter everything into my phone’s calendar as well. Also, just writing things down and emailing myself notes has always been a big help. The motivation that you tend to give yourself can be helpful. An example of that would be the emails that I send to myself if I’m starting to struggle during the semester. They’ll say, “Don’t give up,” “You’re almost there,” or “Reset your schedule: see what needs to be done first, and start from there.” I often go back to those emails or notes that are put off to the side and take a look. I’ll see a quote that says, “Manage your time, Laina.” This makes my heart happy.
Have you taken advantage of any resources or support programs offered by your school?
I get help with math homework from the Math Assistance Center. In addition, the Native American Center (NAC) on my campus welcomes all students to meet tutors and just hang out to work on assignments. The NAC is where I would spend my time between classes and working on my homework as well. Also, I have been at the counseling center many times during the past two semesters. It’s available for all students, and helped me realize that not everyone is perfect. People have only so much they can hold before their feelings overflow. School, personal issues, work, and life in general are no joke, but a shout-out to those who are holding it together!
Is there anything you wish you’d done differently to improve your ability to get organized?
From the start of college I wish I had been more organized with my schoolwork and juggling sports because with all the free time it was definitely a work in progress. But those years were some of the best memories that I hold with me. During my first year of college, my roommates and I would walk to McDonald’s at around 9 p.m. and be there until 2 a.m. because of the free Wi-Fi. We’d finish our work and be up by 6 a.m. to get our morning run in with the team. It was difficult. This was some hard-core dedication, but I realized it was all about time management because of the assignments that were done during those hours at the McDonald’s in Shiprock, N.M.
At one point after my second year at a two-year college, my family was experiencing financial troubles, so I decided to quit school to help with the bills. This was the hardest time of my life because I felt like I lost myself for a bit. I then realized that I was helping my family, and this made me feel better. After a year, it was time for me to go back to school. I faced many challenges, but was able to struggle through it all.
Recently, I told myself that I need to start applying for graduate school and be ready for what news that could bring. Most people can have that moment of doubt, but for me it is worth a try to share the best information about myself. I have until December to take the GRE and apply, so this will be an example of effective time management. I need to find the time to study, gather my resume and cover letter, and reach out to programs.
What advice would you give to students who might be struggling to effectively juggle all their responsibilities?
- It is OK to make mistakes.
- Don’t put things off until the last minute.
- When you feel like giving up, find a paper and pen, write down how you feel, and then read it back to yourself. (It really works!)
- Reach out to campus resources.
- Create a strong relationship with your instructors. They can be a pair of ears to listen to you.
- Save the date, and get organized. Get yourself a planner and start writing in important dates, such as birthdays, to get a feel for it. Eventually, you’ll use it more often for class projects, assignments, and exams.
- Take a break once in a while to regain yourself before tackling your assignments.
- Call your family every now and then to keep yourself updated and let them know your troubles. This is something I have to work on.
- It’s OK to not get accepted the first time. Keep trying!
Do you have any other advice?
No matter what kind of situation you’re in — whether you’re a student, a parent, or staying home working or caring for others — it’s hard. Managing your own time is sometimes impossible, but just know that you have others who look up to you and that you will get the job done.
