As I have learned over the my freshman year, time management is a skill that is necessary to college life. Let me tell you, proper organization and time management will help make your day-to-day routine go a lot smoother as well as reduce stress and anxiety. It’s also important to find a process that works for you that is efficient but not overwhelming.
Once you get into the semester, it often is hard to reorganize all of the material you have received if you don’t have a system in place to begin with. I know because I didn’t have a good system for balancing school and social life when arrived at WSU, and I am still working on managing my time better. If you’re like me and struggle with time-management, here are a few ideas to put to use in future semesters:
1. Use a Planner Right Away
At the beginning of the semester, take your syllabi and write down all important due dates and tests in your planner. Now you’ll have the entire semester laid out in front of you and those due dates won’t creep up on you unexpectedly.
2. Make a You Calendar Mobile
I also advise entering important dates and times into a calendar on your phone or tablet so you always have your schedule handy.
3. Only Sign Up for What You Can Handle
This goes for courses, extra-curricular activities and work. You can’t do it all–you have the same 168 hours in a week that everyone else does–so you need to prioritize the things you are involved in. This way, you will manage your time and stress levels better for a more successful semester.
4. Use Your Resources on Campus
Tutoring is a great resource to make sure you are prepared and caught up in classes as well as understanding material far before finals.
These are just a few tips to get you started on managing your time better. Here are two more articles that have really great strategies for time-management: 8 Ways to Take Control of Your Time and Top 12 Time Management Tips.
Here’s to a more organized and less stressed semester!
