time management assignment for college students

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• Time Management for Busy College Students

Time Management Tips for Busy College Students

Time is a finite resource. Balancing responsibilities at your job, home, and school is not easy. No matter what, you’re always left with the same 24 hours in a day to check items off to-do lists, spend time with family and friends, and unwind. By planning ahead and using your time wisely, you’ll be able to accomplish more and enjoy added free time.

Follow these eight time management tips and strategies to ensure that you meet deadlines, are well prepared for exams, and have time for yourself while pursuing a college degree.

1. Identify Time-Wasters and Set Goals

It’s easy to get distracted. Pay attention to what draws your focus away from your studies and assignments.

• Are you spending too much time checking social media?
• Are you prone to texting and answering personal phone calls while studying?
• Do you find that a lot of time has passed while you aimlessly browse the web?

No matter what is wasting your time, set a goal not to engage in that behavior during dedicated study time. Instead, use those activities as a reward for staying focused and accomplishing the tasks you set out to complete.

2. Plan Ahead by Creating a To-Do List

Identify what you need to do, and then prioritize the tasks based on when the assignment is due and how much time you need to complete it. This gives you a set plan for the day. Whether it’s just a list of priorities or a full schedule for the day, having a plan will ensure that you know what to do and when.

Unless there’s a pressing priority, it’s important to also consider what sort of work you’re in the mood to do.

• Do you feel creative? You may want to prioritize working on a writing assignment.
• Do you feel focused? You could spend the day studying for an upcoming exam.

3. Tackle Small Tasks to Start

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by large projects and big exams, and the anxiety can make you want to procrastinate. Start with shorter, simpler to-do items, and then move on to larger projects or assignments.

• What can you complete in the shortest time that has the fewest dependencies?
• What needs more time or has more complicated workflows?

4. Do One Thing at a Time

If you’re trying to juggle multiple assignments and tasks, you’ll likely end up being less productive. To combat the urge to multitask, ask yourself:

• What are your most common distractions (email, social media, electronics, etc.)?
• Can you turn off the devices or applications?

Turn off any devices that you can. And no matter what, don’t switch to another task until the one before it is complete. This may be a hard habit to break, but it’s worth it.

5. Establish Routines

A set routine can also help you accomplish the things you need to do. Is your home quietest in the early morning? You may want to get in the habit of regularly using that time to study or read. The more often you do this, the less you’ll have to think about when you’ll accomplish the tasks you need to finish that day.

6. Use Breaks Wisely

The time between work, classes, activities, and meetings can be used to complete tasks. People who use the Pomodoro Technique , developed in the 1990s, work in short intervals and take short, regular, timed breaks — “Pomodoros." For example, you might use a timer to work in 25-minute sprints, broken up by 5-minute breaks away from your workspace. Every fourth Pomodoro, take a longer break

7. Take Time Off

It’s important to take time for yourself. Long study sessions or chunks of time working on assignments should be broken up with time away from screens or textbooks. You need to give your mind a rest.

Many scholars have studied the impact of meditation on reducing the effects of stress-induced conditions such as back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and insomnia. The National Institutes of Health gathered these studies and published them in “ Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need To Know .” 

8. Learn to Delegate

While your significant other, family members, or roommates won’t be able to study for you, you can ask them to help out more around the house while you continue your education. Freeing up a little more time by having others help with household chores and errands will ensure that you can stay focused on your studies and coursework or that you can take a well-deserved break.

Additional Time Management Tips for Online College Students

As an online college student, it’s vital that you implement good time management techniques. In fact, research shows that online students who are able to self-manage their behavior are less likely to drop out of their courses and have better academic outcomes.

While all of the above tips are applicable to online college students, there are a few additional considerations:

• Establish a study space . Having a designated spot for studying can help you avoid distractions, especially if you’re trying to study in parts of your home that are regularly used for entertainment.
• Get dressed. You don’t have to go all out, but just the act of getting dressed for the day can help your brain shift from lounging mode to working mode.
• Check in each day. Studying can become easy to dismiss when you're not physically going into your classes. Therefore, make sure to visit your virtual class chatrooms, chime in on conversations, and ask your instructor questions. This will keep you engaged in the class and on top of your assignments.
• Create physical reminders. Many people these days use their phone for reminders and calendars, but getting on your phone can lead to time-wasting activities. Instead, use a physical desk calendar, sticky notes, etc.

Time Management Resources

To create and manage lists, try these apps:.

Any.do – This easy-to-use desktop and mobile app keeps your to-do lists and calendar in one central location and syncs between devices and platforms.

Remember the Milk – This is another fun app that helps you manage to-do lists across multiple devices and users.

Todoist – This app balances power and simplicity, using natural language processing to simplify scheduling as well as integration with multiple apps so you can keep all of your tasks in a centralized location. 

To Increase Productivity, Try These Apps:

RescueTime – This app runs in the background of your desktop computer or smartphone, tracking how much time you spend on various sites and apps, and it then provides a detailed report on where you spend your time. Use this information to tweak your browsing habits and work more efficiently.

Streaks – Using gamification, this app helps you form good habits. It allows you to enter up to 24 tasks and how often they should be completed. As you mark off tasks, it tracks your completion rate and streak score.

Freedom – Reduce distractions and improve productivity with this app that blocks websites and apps on your smartphone or desktop computer.

To Set Goals, Try These Strategies:

Learn how to set SMART goals — those that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Learn more about goal setting from The National Society of Leadership and Success .

To Get More In-Depth Time Management Help, Try These Books:

• The Productivity Revolution: Control Your Time and Get Things Done! by Marc Reklau
• The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Ask for Help

Take advantage of academic resources that help busy college students balance studies, work, and life. Many online schools offer peer-to-peer and faculty support. For example, Purdue Global offers personalized student support through Academic Tutoring and Support Centers . 

To learn more about online programs offered by Purdue Global,  request more information today.

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8 Time Management Tips for Students

Don't let a hectic schedule get the better of you with these time management tips.

Lian Parsons

College can be a stressful time for many students and time management can be one of the most crucial — but tricky — skills to master.

Attending classes, studying for exams, making friends, and taking time to relax and decompress can quickly fill up your schedule. If you often find yourself wishing there were more hours in the day, this guide will offer time management tips for students so you can accomplish what you need to get done, have fun with your friends, and gain back some valuable time for yourself. 

1. Create a Calendar

Don’t be caught by surprise by an important paper due two days from now or a dinner with your family the same night you planned for a group study session. Create a calendar for yourself with all your upcoming deadlines, exams, social events, and other time commitments well in advance so you can see what’s coming up. 

Keep your calendar in a place where you can see it every day, such as in your planner or on your wall above your desk. If you prefer a digital calendar, check it first thing every day to keep those important events fresh and top-of-mind. For greater efficiency, make sure you can integrate it with your other tools, such as your email.

Digital calendar options include: 

• Google Calendar 
• Outlook Calendar
• Fantastical

2. Set Reminders

After you’ve created your calendar, give yourself periodic reminders to stay on track such as to complete a study guide in advance or schedule a meeting for a group project. Knowing deadlines is important; however, staying on top of the micro tasks involved in meeting those deadlines is just as important. You can set an alarm on your phone, write it down in a physical planner, or add an alert to your digital calendar. The reminders will help to prevent things from slipping through the cracks during particularly hectic days.

Make sure you’ve allotted enough time to study for that big test or write that final paper. Time management is all about setting yourself up for success in advance and giving yourself the tools to accomplish tasks with confidence. 

Read our blogs, Your Guide to Conquering College Coursework and Top 10 Study Tips to Study Like a Harvard Student , for more suggestions.

3. Build a Personalized Schedule

Each person’s day-to-day is different and unique to them, so make sure your schedule works for you. Once you’ve accounted for consistent commitments such as classes or your shifts at work, add in study sessions, extracurriculars, chores and errands, and social engagements.

Consider your personal rhythm. If you typically start your day energized, plan to study or accomplish chores then. If you fall into an afternoon slump, give yourself that time to take a guilt-free TV break or see friends.

Having a schedule that works for you will help maximize your time. Plus, knowing exactly when your laundry day is or when your intramural volleyball practice is every week will help you avoid trying to cram everything in one day (or running out of clean socks!)

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4. Use Tools That Work For You

Just like your calendar and schedule, the tools you use to keep you organized should be the right fit for you. Some students prefer physical planners and paper, while some prefer going totally digital. Your calendar can help you with long-term planning, but most of these tools are best for prioritizing from day to day.

Explore what best suits your needs with some of the following suggestions:

Planners can help you keep track of long-term deadlines, such as important essay deadlines, upcoming exams, and appointments and meetings. They often provide a monthly overview each month, as well as day-to-day planning sections, so you can stay ahead. 

• Papier – Offers a 20% student discount 

If your schedule is jam-packed and you have trouble figuring out what to do and when, scheduling day by day—and sometimes even hour by hour—can help you slot in everything you need to do with less stress.

• Structured app

Note Taking

From class to study sessions to errands, keeping track of everything can feel overwhelming. Keeping everything in one place, whether on the go or at your desk, can help keep you organized.

• Bullet journals

5. Prioritize

Sometimes there really is too much to do with too little time. In these instances, take just a few minutes to evaluate your priorities. Consider which deadlines are most urgent, as well as how much energy you have. 

If you are able to complete simple tasks first, try getting them out of the way before moving on to tasks that require a lot of focus. This can help to alleviate some of the pressure by checking a couple things off your to-do list without getting bogged down too early.

If you are struggling to fit everything in your schedule, consider what you can postpone or what you can simply say no to. Your friends will likely understand if you have to meet them for coffee another time in order to get in a final library session before a challenging exam. 

6. Make Time to Have Fun — And For Yourself

Time management isn’t just about getting work done. It’s also about ensuring that you can put yourself and your mental wellbeing first. Consistently including time for yourself in your schedule helps to keep your mental health and your life in balance. It can also be helpful to have things to look forward to when going through stressful periods.  

Whether it’s going for a bike ride along the river, spending time with your friends and family, or simply sleeping in on a Sunday, knowing you have space to relax and do things you enjoy can provide better peace of mind. 

7. Find Support 

Preparation and organization can sometimes only get you so far. Luckily, you have plenty of people rooting for your success. Keep yourself and your classmates on task by finding an accountability partner or study buddies. Remind your roommates when you need extra space to work on a paper. 

Your school’s academic resource center is also there to support you and point you in the right direction if you need additional help. Getting—and staying—organized is a collaborative effort and no one can do it on their own. 

8. Be Realistic and Flexible 

Sometimes unforeseen circumstances will come up or you simply may not be able to get to everything you set out to do in a given day. Be patient with yourself when things don’t go exactly to plan. When building your calendar, schedule, and priorities list, be realistic about what you can accomplish and include buffer time if you’re unsure. This can help to reduce obstacles and potential friction.

Time management isn’t just about sticking to a rigid schedule—it’s also about giving yourself space for change.

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About the Author

Lian Parsons is a Boston-based writer and journalist. She is currently a digital content producer at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education. Her bylines can be found at the Harvard Gazette, Boston Art Review, Radcliffe Magazine, Experience Magazine, and iPondr.

Managing Stress in High School

Our reasons may vary, but everyone experiences stress. Here are some of the common reasons high school students feel stressed, and what they can do about it.

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Managing Time

Effective Time Management

Managing your time well is key to success in college and also in life! Many college students find themselves with more unstructured time than they had in high school. Of course, unstructured time and free time are not the same thing, and learning how to create structure for yourself can require patience, practice, and persistence.

Using calendars is key! Students tell us that using a semester calendar and a weekly calendar helps them:

• make (and keep) semester-long goals,
• stop wasting time by finding hidden time and using a “work-day” approach; and
• be more prepared and organized.

The semester calendar should be used to map out important due dates and events all in one place, and the weekly calendar can help you plan out how you will spend your time during a week.

Download semester and weekly calendars (pdf, word, excel) here. Hard copies of the calendars are available on the 4th floor of CCC – stop over between 8-4:30 to take one from the display in the hallway. To learn more about using the calendars you can read on below and self-enroll in our Canvas module on Time Management.

Watch: LSC’s Mike Chen explains how to get set up with a good routine for the semester

Getting the big picture: The semester calendar! This provides an overview of the semester. Fill in all significant events and due dates. This includes: papers, exams, presentations, organizational meetings, job or internship interviews, etc… Filling in this information will give you a sense of when the “crunch” times are likely to be, allowing you to plan ahead. It will also ensure that you know when papers are due, the dates of exams, and when major projects are due. If you know when your crunch times are, you can plan ahead and start preparing/working early.

Tip: Watch this and fill our your semester calendar!

Watch: LSC’s Mike Chen explains how to get set up with a good routine for each week.

Think about the hours of the day that are not flexible or available for work. Write these down on the weekly calendar: class times, meetings, standing appointments; eating, sleeping, exercising; work, organizations, church, volunteer activities; family time, social time.

Determine how many hours each class takes in study / preparation time. List each class and estimate how many hours you need to devote each week (a good rule of thumb is to allow for 2-3 hours outside of class for every 1 hour spent in class). Of course this can change once the semester gets started, but set aside time from the beginning. Some classes will take more time and others will take less. Make sure you build in some time for all your classes — even if one class needs a lot of time, you still need to do work and study for your other classes!

Now you can begin filling in the available study time until you have accounted for all of the hours you estimated for each class. Keep in mind the principles of time management on the previous page, and create a weekly schedule for yourself

Tip: Watch this and fill our your weekly calendar!

Guidelines to Keep in Mind

• Study at a regular time and in a regular place . Establishing habits of study is extremely important. Knowing what you are going to study and when saves a lot of time in making decisions and retracing your steps to get necessary materials, etc. Avoid generalizations in your schedule such as “study”. Commit yourself more definitely to “study history” or “study chemistry” at certain regular hours. (Learn more about what “ studying ” means!)
• Study as soon class as possible after class . One hour spent soon after class will do as much as several hours a few days later. Review lecture notes while they are still fresh in your mind. Start assignments while your memory of the assignment is still accurate. (Learn more about what “ studying ” means!)

• Limit your blocks of study time to no more than 2 hours on any one course at a time. After 1 1/2 to 2 hours of study you begin to tire rapidly and your ability to concentrate decreases rapidly. Taking a break and then studying another course will provide the change necessary to keep up your efficiency. You should take breaks while you are studying, too. Consider a short 5 min break after 25 min of work.
• Eat well-balanced meals and get regular exercise . Take time for good meals and exercise. Healthy eating and exercise can dramatically improve your concentration, mood, and increase your energy level.
• Watch out for “multi-tasking!” People often thin k they are “multitasking,” but in reality they are “microtasking”. This means they are switching back and forth rapidly between tasks–NOT doing both tasks at once. Learn more about the perils of multitasking and find out how to avoid this common trap.

Student recommended apps and tools to keep track of classes, due dates, exams, and quizzes

There is no one-size-fits-all and there are so many different tools and apps to choose from as you organize your time, assignments, due dates, prelims, etc. Here are some ideas from other Cornell students:

• Google Calendar (available through G Suite and you can see things in a list and calendar format)
• Canvas Calendar (just make sure that you add things that your instructors haven’t put into the Canvas calendar)
• Apps: Egenda App, Notion, & Trello
• Physical options: Paper calendar or whiteboard on your wall

Check out our resources on managing stress or explore strategies to study for and take exams .

Would you like to learn more?

• The Science is Clear: Why Multitasking Doesn’t Work
• Why Multitasking Doesn’t Work
• A review of the time management literature
• College students’ time management: Correlations with academic performance and stress

Top 10 Time Management Tips for College Students

Posted on May 04, 2023

By Sophia Learning

With a part- or full-time work week, family obligations, and other responsibilities, it can seem challenging to find the time to complete schoolwork. Time is a precious resource that should be maximized, especially for college students.

Whether you struggle with time management or you want to maximize your time, here are our top 10 time management tips for college students.

1. Keep a Calendar of Deadlines

Most courses, online or in-person, have deadlines for assignments that you have to follow to earn a high grade. It can be overwhelming, but not if you’re following the best practices for managing time for students.

Keeping a calendar gives you a visual of all your upcoming work, so you can schedule study time and time to complete assignments with clear priorities. Otherwise, you could end up with rapidly approaching deadlines and panic when you realize assignments are due without enough time to spend on them.

2. Set Goals

One of the most important steps in managing your time is knowing what you’re spending your time on. When you set goals, you can identify your wasted time and stay on an efficient track to completing everything.

There are many apps that you can download to track your time and see where your time could be better spent. For example, taking a quick look at your Facebook or TikTok feed may not seem like a lot, but it adds up over the course of the day. Once you know this, you can be more disciplined about your free time.

3. Use the Pomodoro Method

The  Pomodoro Method was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. Using a timer, you break up your workload into 25-minute stretches of focused, uninterrupted work with five-minute breaks in between. You can take a longer break after four consecutive work intervals.

This method is effective because staring down a long to-do list of equally important tasks can quickly become overwhelming. If you’re not sure where to start, or you feel like you’ll be drowning as soon as you start, you won’t be as productive. Working in small chunks of time will help you stay motivated and combat your apprehension.

4. Use Checklists

Checklists are a helpful tool for how to improve time management skills as a college student. When you have a lot of work to complete, it can feel like you’re spinning your wheels without accomplishing anything. Having a checklist gives you a sense of accomplishment as you check items off your list.

5. Use Your Breaks Strategically

One of the most important tips on time management for students is using your break time strategically to get more accomplished in a day. While you should take some breaks to relax your mind and recharge, the breaks that you work into your schedule can be used as extra time to complete other quick items on your to-do list.

For example, use a 15-minute break to put a load of laundry in the washing machine or run a quick errand. When you use your breaks strategically like this, you’ll find that you get more things done over the course of the week and you’ll have more leisure time.

6. Leverage Technology Tools

With millions of apps at your fingertips, your smartphone or tablet can become more of a time waster than an asset. But with the right apps and self-discipline, you can use apps to manage your time effectively.

There are apps for scheduling, calendars, time management, and productivity with digital to-do lists, timers, and notifications. If you can’t stay off your social media apps, download an app to block these notifications and restrict access to social apps until you take your scheduled break.

Don’t stop at your smartphone, however. Your computer offers different account options, so make one for your personal use, one for work, and one for school. This keeps all your important apps and documents separated, so you only have access to what you need to complete your work – no more temptation to surf social media feeds while you’re working on assignments!

7. Limit Distractions

The best time management for college students comes from self-awareness. When you can clearly and objectively identify your habits and distractions, you’re better equipped to combat them.

For example, you may find that you procrastinate by getting involved in household work when you should be studying, or you may put on the television for “background noise” and start watching. In these cases, maintaining a quiet, separate study place or blocking out time for chores or watching television can make a big difference in limiting distractions and keeping you focused.

8. Reward Yourself

Nothing feels quite as good as accomplishing everything on your to-do list. As you start working toward better time management, take time to reward yourself for small wins. Always keep your rewards in line with your goals, such as taking an hour to read or watch television after you’ve completed your tasks for the day. This also gives you something to look forward to without the stress of thinking you should be doing work.

9. Stay Healthy

Keeping yourself healthy plays a role in time management and productivity. It may not seem obvious, but one of the time management tips for students is working regular exercise into your schedule. You should also plan to eat well and get a good night’s rest, both of which contribute to your energy levels and minimize stress. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

10. Ask for Help

When you’re overwhelmed, it can be tempting to go it alone. But you have resources to help. If you are struggling to understand a concept, reach out to your professor with questions or concerns. You’ll waste more time trying to figure it out on your own – under stress – than if you get the information you need from the start.

Remember, time management tips for students only go so far is you’re burned out and physically and emotionally drained. If you’re truly overwhelmed, reach out to your advisor to discuss your options. You may need a reduced credit load for a time or student support resources like tutoring. Your advisor is there to help you succeed.

Put These Tips to Use

How to manage time as a student can be a struggle, especially if you’re balancing other responsibilities. These tips can help you make the best use of your time to stay productive and focused, but don’t hesitate to ask for help. At Sophia Learning, we have a dedicated group of learning coaches that can help you with your time management.  Start a free trial today!

Category: Student Success

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Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

What are the Best Time Management for College Students?

Updated: January 24, 2023

Published: October 22, 2018

With 24 hours in a day and 7 days a week, time is constrained. As such, time is a commodity and a resource that’s well worth maximizing, especially when you are a college student. In this article, we are going to share some of the best time management tips for college students to make it feel like you have more time, or at least, just enough time to get everything you’d want to do.

Source: Unsplash

What is time management.

Time management refers to the ability to use time effectively. Although there’s a constraint on time, time management can make it feel like there’s more of it in a day, depending on how you structure your schedule.

Since time management is considered a skill, it can be learned and strengthened. That’s why we’re sharing how to manage time in college.

Time Management Tips for Students

Keeping this all in mind, let’s take a look at some of these time management tips for students.

Perhaps one of the most important steps in being able to manage your time well is to know what you are using your time for in the first place. By setting goals and identifying time wasters, you can help to keep yourself on a more efficient track.

To set goals, take a look at what you spend your time on. For example, if you use the “Screen Time” app on a iPhone, you can find out how much time you spend and how you spend it using your phone. If you notice that you spend 5 hours a day on social media apps, then you may want to set a goal to cut it down to 2 instead. By doing so, you will free up 3 hours of your day for other activities.

Make Note of Deadlines

When you’re in college, you will be taking several classes at a time. Within each class, you’ll have assignments and tests with different due dates. While it can become overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be when you are practicing time management. One thing you can do is to write down all your deadlines ahead of time in a clear chart, on a calendar,  or even on a sheet of paper. This way, you can schedule study time and time to work on assignments according to what is due first.

Start with Small Tasks  / Break Up Large Tasks

When you have a long to-do list, you may feel defeated just by looking at it. Instead, you can write it in an order that will work in your favor. To explain, consider placing all the small and low-level tasks at the beginning of your day’s to-do list. By fulfilling these small and plentiful tasks, you gain momentum and already go into the day with a sense of accomplishment. Then, if you have large tasks or assignments that will take multiple hours or days to work on, break them down into smaller parts. Doing this helps you to stay motivated rather than stare at the task without knowing where to begin because the size of the task can provoke fear. Basically, you are making tasks manageable rather than allowing them to seize control of your mind.

Create a schedule

One of the biggest recommendations that you’ll find when learning about time management is to use a schedule to your advantage. You can set up a schedule using digital tools like phones or computers using the calendar app. Or, you can even do so manually by writing your schedule down in a planner. Depending on how granular you want to get, you can break up days into blocks of hours or even minutes. Before you set your schedule, write down the aspects that you are looking to include, i.e. social activities, lecture hours, study time, cooking time, exercise time, family time, etc.

If you’re attending an online college, then you will have a more flexible schedule as to when you attend class (if lectures are pre-recorded). This could make scheduling easier because it is totally within your control.

Use Checklists

A weekly checklist can also help to better manage your time when you are in college. Here’s how it can work: At the start of each week, write down the assignments and projects that are upcoming for that week. You may even want to color-code them based on the subject. You can input this check(list) of items into your schedule. By referring back to the checklist, you will make sure that no item is forgotten or overlooked.

Use Breaks Wisely

A major aspect of time management is how you choose to use breaks. Besides taking intentional breaks to do nothing and recharge, the breaks that already exist in your schedule can serve as “extra” time. For example, you can complete tasks using the time between classes. Say you have to grocery shop for the week. You have an hour between two lectures. That could be a great time to knock grocery shopping off of your to-do list. When you start using breaks effectively to get things done, you will notice that it feels like you’ve made more time to do what you want to do, rather than what you have to do.

Leverage Technology

When it comes to time management, technology is your friend! There’s an array of time management apps you can download to help you get things done. Here’s a look at some of the best time management apps to choose from. Additionally, even simple and existing tools like timers and calendars on your handheld device can be used for time management, as already discussed.

Ask for Help

In terms of time management, asking for help often happens in the form of delegation. For example, if you’re living with roommates, then consider devising a cleaning schedule where everyone takes turns. By doing so, you can free up some of your time to focus on your schoolwork (or social activities).

Reward Yourself

No matter how many strides you make on your journey of time management, take some time (no pun intended) to reward yourself. Your rewards should coincide with the time management goals that you’ve set. So, once you reach your goals, you have something to look forward to (a.k.a. the reward).

Closing Thoughts

By following some or all of the aforementioned best time management tips for college students, you may discover that it feels like you have more time in a day. The idea of organizing time can feel liberating as you’ll be more productive. In turn, you will have more time to do the things you want to do because you’ve managed to get done the things you have to.

Related Articles

Time Management for College Students: 8 Helpful Tips

Coursework, group projects, essays, and exams take up a lot of time. learn all about time management for college students to meet all your deadlines.

Updated by TCM Staff on 7th June 2023

7th June 2023

College can be busy and stressful. Between going to class, doing the homework, taking the tests, and finishing the assignments — we all get stuck. We hardly get any time to relax and enjoy the journey! 

The truth is, there’s more than enough time to enjoy college, get good grades, and meet all your deadlines. The trick is time management for college students. 

You might be wondering what time management for students entails, or how to manage time in college so that you can find some balance.

We’ve put together some time management tips for college students, to help you stay on track!

1. Write It Down

You’re more likely to remember to do something if you write it down. Make a list of all your assignments — including weekly assignments, quizzes, and exercises or short papers — onto a visible or easily accessible notepad, or digitally on your computer or laptop. Alongside each item, make sure you record the due date and time! You should even note down periods of time where you won’t have to go to school, like Spring break . This will give you something to look forward to!

Refer to your list every night or morning so that you know what’s due in the coming days. You might even use a project management tool like Asana to keep everything organized in a visually appealing way. 

2. Schedule Work and Study Time

So you’ve noted down all your exams and assignments with corresponding due dates. Great! Now, what’s your plan for completing or preparing for them? 

This is where your work schedule comes in. Along with your list of items, pencil in time to work on assignments and study for tests. Make sure you schedule this time before something is due, and be realistic with your goals. 

If you have a project due, you’ll likely need to schedule a few time slots to get it done. If you’re uncertain about how much time you should allot for each item, do some testing of your own! Apps like Toggl help you track the time you take to complete certain tasks. Or, just record your time the old-fashioned way. This is a great exercise to help you become more self-aware and to help you set realistic goals. 

3. Stop Multitasking

Here’s a super important management tip for college students: stop multitasking. Studies show that multitasking doesn’t work . While quickly switching between tasks might feel like you’re getting more done, you’re actually lengthening the time it takes for you to complete a task. This goes for multitasking with more than one school task, and multitasking with a school task and unrelated task. 

Watching TV while studying for an exam isn’t effective either. Focus on one thing at a time for best results, and to save yourself time in the long run. 

Pro-tip: Turn your phone off or set it on “Do Not Disturb” to avoid distractions while studying. 

4. Take Healthy Breaks

If you go an entire day working without any study breaks , you’re sure to burn yourself out. Healthy breaks should be included in all time management strategies for students. 

You might consider the Pomodoro Technique , in which you reward every 25 minutes of studying with a short, 5-minute break. You can use this break to stretch your legs, check- in with a loved one, make yourself a snack, or just rest your eyes and give yourself a mental break from your study material. Studies show that the Pomodoro Technique helps people feel more focused and productive. 

The availability of time management apps has helped increase productivity and focus among students.

5. Accept Help

There will be times where you won’t be able to do it all on your own. You might be faced with a crazy busy week at school, and also have chores and errands to do as well. In these cases, your loved ones are only too happy to offer you support. 

Perhaps your roommate could take on chores for one day if you cook them dinner when you’re less busy. Or, you can ask your parents to pick up that package waiting for you at the post office. 

While we might feel vulnerable to accept help, the truth is that we can’t handle everything alone all the time. Use your support network to help you manage your time!

6. Set Realistic Goals

Similar to writing down tasks, goals help you keep your eye on the bigger picture. And, they help us feel more accomplished amidst constant work. 

You can set big goals or small goals throughout your week or semester. For example, spending 6 hours studying for an exam could be one goal. Or, getting help from a friend or professor on a challenging concept could be another goal. You could also make a daily goal to complete a set amount of coursework, or to organize your study space!

Reward yourself for completing your goals  — you deserve it!

7. Be Healthy

Many of us have unhealthy methods of coping with stress. This might look like overeating, procrastinating with television, drinking alcohol, or simply not taking time to exercise. 

Keeping our bodies healthy improves our energy levels, which helps us be more productive while we work. 

Try to eat healthy most of the time, and only eat junk food sparingly or as a reward for completing your goals. Get a good night’s rest each night, and schedule in time for exercise. 

8. Divide and Rule

Big projects and exams are intimidating at first glance. With so much on your plate, it’s easy to put it off and procrastinate. Start checking off your to-do list by completing shorter tasks to get your groove going. You might also consider breaking up large projects and research assignments into more manageable chunks. 

Why Is Time Management Important?

The consequences of poor time management in college are severe. If you don’t manage your time effectively, you risk:

• Lower grades and poor performance
• Insomnia or fatigue
• Poor eating habits
• Docked participation and punctuality marks

Time management is important because it helps you to:

• Improve self-discipline
• Increase productivity
• Improve your quality of work
• Reduces stress
• Increase amount of free time for things you enjoy

Proper time management for college students helps make or break your college experience. You can enjoy the fun and exciting parts of college while still performing well academically by practicing strong time management skills for college students. 

Using the above time management tips for students is a great start in making the best use of your time. If you want to save on time spent searching for scholarships, check out our scholarship database !

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11 Effective Time Management Tips for College Students

By Carrie Mesrobian on 01/24/2019

Time management is a perennial concern for any student. Add work, family and social activities in the mix, and these responsibilities become even more challenging.

You’re not alone in attempting to balance a chaotic schedule in earning your degree. According to a 2015 study conducted by Georgetown University, 40 percent of students ages 16–29 and 76 percent of students ages 30–54 years old work while in school. 1 As you might imagine, if you’re a student with competing priorities, it’s incredibly important to focus on time management in college.

So, what can you do to better manage your time? We’ve compiled some excellent advice that can help you keep on top of your studies.

11 Time management tips for college students

Whether you’re fresh out of high school or working two jobs while raising a family, these time management strategies and tips for college students will help keep you organized and your assignments on track.

1. Record all due dates and deadlines

Say you’re sitting in class ready to leave when the teacher makes an announcement. There’s homework due in three days and an exam in one week. As you leave class, you make a mental note to remember those days.

How often has that happened to you, only for you to panic the night before your homework is due because you forgot? Save yourself the late-night scramble and write everything down as you hear it.

“Even if you think you’ll remember a due date or something you have to do at work, write it down,” says Rebecca Holley, a full-time student and marketing associate at Edvisors .

Holley recommends going through course calendars and syllabi at the beginning of the semester and writing down all the important dates. Knowing what’s coming up will help you better prepare.

2. Create a routine

Getting into a routine can reduce uncertainty about when and how you will fit in homework and study time on top of school and work. Create a routine at the beginning of the semester so you can adjust to it early, and then see if you have leftover time for other engagements.

Holley plans her day around work and school.

“It’s not always perfect—sometimes you might have to stay up late or miss out on something fun to keep up with homework—but that’s just how it is,” Holley says. “It won’t last forever and crossing that finish line will make it so worth it.”

3. Use your tech for good

With millions of apps and games at your fingertips, your smartphone can seem like more of a time waster than a time manager. However, with some self-discipline, you can transform your phone or mobile device into an on-the-go calendar and scheduler. Set reminders to help you keep due dates and other important commitments in mind as you go through your day. Apps can be helpful too, with project management and productivity apps like Trello ® serving as digital to-do lists.

Tempted to check social media regularly during your study time? Try one of the many apps that block social media and other distractions.

But don’t stop with your phone. Your computer and tablet accounts can also be organized to minimize potential distractions.

“Create three different users: one for personal use, one for work and one for school,” advises David Bitton, chief marketing officer at DoorLoop . “On your work and school user accounts, have only the essentials you'll need to execute work and school-related tasks. Everything else relating to leisure and entertainment should be under your personal account. The fewer distractions you allow into your routine, the better you will manage your time.”

4. Break down your workload with the Pomodoro® Technique

If you find tech increasingly getting in your way however, peer tutor and Nursing student at Rasmussen University Kristin Irvin recommends trying the Pomodoro Technique.

Invented by an Italian developer named Francesco Cirillo, this technique is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used to time his sessions ( pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato).

“The Pomodoro technique is like a high intensity-interval training (HIIT) workout,” explains Irvine. “First, you choose the task you would like to work on, set a timer for 25 minutes and begin working on the selected task with no distractions. Once the timer goes off, set a timer for 5 minutes and take a break. Repeat these steps as many times as your like.”

Of course, you don’t really need a tomato-shaped timer to stick to this approach—any device that counts down from 25 minutes will get the job done. Even better? For those who like to have music while studying, you can even find playlists that stick to the 25-minute time allotment.

5. Take note-taking to the next level

Many of us take notes during lectures but leave it at that. Frank Buck, educational consultant at Frank Buck Consulting Inc , suggests students try thinking of their lecture notes as more of a rough outline or first draft.

“During class, don't worry about neatness, form or spelling,” says Buck. “The magic happens that evening when you interact with those notes for a second time within the same day.”

According to Buck, most forgetting happens within the first 24 hours of being introduced to new material. Re-copying and re-organizing those notes will increase your retention and understanding of new concepts. While doing this, you also pause to consider anything that didn’t make sense during the original lecture.

“Look it up in the textbook or perform a quick Google search to clear the confusion,” Buck advises. “Double-check spelling as needed. This practice is like spinning straw into gold. When it's time to study for the test, the notes are pristine. The time required for study is lessened.”

6. Examine and limit potential distractions

Being realistic about your habits and preferences not only helps you establish a routine that works for you, but it can also help you when it comes to your distractions.

“If you tend to work best at night, there's no use trying to get all your work done in the morning,” says Mike Grossman, CEO of GoodHire .®

Grossman suggests getting a clear sense of what activities you gravitate to when you don’t feel like working, whether that’s deep cleaning your study space, scrolling through social media or making plans with a friend who drops by. Changing your study location, putting your phone in another room or just closing the door can be the preventative measures you need to take to avoid wasting precious time.

7. Ask for help

One bit of time management advice that is often overlooked is to ask for help, says Stephen Light, chief marketing officer of Nolah Mattress .

“Immediately contact a professor if you don’t understand something,” Light advises. “Some feel awkward or embarrassed about asking questions, but it’ll be worth it down the line. If you’re struggling to understand a concept or lesson and don’t ask for help, you could waste valuable hours trying to figure it out for yourself.”

If you’re feeling like your coursework covers concepts you already understand, it’s a good idea to check if the program you’re in offers competency-based education courses that can provide additional flexibility on where you spend your time in a course.

But time management means nothing if you’re physically, emotionally and psychologically drained. Recognizing when you’re overwhelmed and asking for help will serve you better in the long run. This may mean dropping an activity or reducing your credit load. Many schools also offer tutoring and other kinds of student support , so checking into any of those resources available to you is a must.

8. Keep yourself healthy

This may not seem obvious but looking after your health can actually play a huge role in successfully managing your time while in college. Practicing regular exercise can keep your energy levels up, resulting in a more engaged mind when doing schoolwork. Many also assert that getting adequate sleep at night can save college students time—this not only helps you avoid the time taken for afternoon naps, but it also can increase your alertness and decrease your stress levels.

9. Stay organized

Keeping your schoolwork organized can be a huge factor in saving you some time throughout the week, especially if you’re taking more than one class at a time. If you have separate binders, notebooks and folders for each class, you’ll quickly be able to find that sheet of notes for next week’s test or the article you planned to reference for your big research paper.

Avoiding clutter isn’t just important when organizing your notes and hand-outs. Be sure to keep your computer desktop organized in a way that always allows you to locate the files you’ll need for each particular class.

10. Checklists are your friend

Printing or writing out checklists for each class or each day of the week can be a helpful way of remembering everything you need to get done. Try color-coordinating tasks by importance or subject (such as school or work) to help you better visualize what needs to get done.

“Make a checklist of all the major homework tasks for the day or week,” says Vasiliki Baskos, teacher and founder of Learn Greek Online . “Prioritize them so that in case you run out of time, the less-important tasks will remain unfinished.”

11. Find a balance

Life’s stress happens to everyone. Being in school is no exception. Work gets hectic, family obligations increase and social activities become unruly. In times like those, it’s good to step back and take a deep breath.

“Ask your family and friends to support you during these challenging times of juggling work and school, but also give them permission to confront you if they think you’re driving yourself—and them—crazy at times,” says Anita Thomas, senior vice president at Edvisors.

Giving yourself time to recharge is also an essential part of effective time management.

“Many people forget to make time for themselves, and this is a big mistake,” says Cathy Mills, director at Net Influencer . Mills says that this time need not be lengthy—15 or 30 minutes a day—but it should involve doing activities you enjoy: exercising, watching an episode of a favorite TV show, listening to music, taking a walk.

“These activities that you enjoy will be a great motivation,” Mills adds. “You will see that you will be much more productive and manage your time better.”

Put these college time management strategies to use

Take the advice of experts and students who have been there. See if you can calm that chaotic schedule for a stress-free college degree. Of course, it’ll take more than just solid time management skills to succeed in college. Our article “ How to Get Ahead in College: 5 Tips for Success ” highlights some of the other things you should do to stay on track for success.

1 Anthony P. Carnevale, Nicole Smith and Michelle Melton, “Learning While Earning: The New Normal” Georgetown University, Center on Education and the Workforce [Information accessed December 2021] https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/Working-Learners-Report.pdf

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in 2014 and has since been updated to include information relevant to 2022. Trello is a registered trademark of Trello, Inc. Pomodoro technique is a registered trademark of Francesco Cirillo. GoodHire is a registered trademark of Inflection, LLC.

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Carrie Mesrobian

Carrie is a freelance copywriter at Collegis Education. She researches and writes articles, on behalf of Rasmussen University, to help empower students to achieve their career dreams through higher education.

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Time Management for College Students: Everything You Need to Know

Far too often, it just doesn’t seem like there’s enough time in the day to get everything done.

While it may be a pervasive problem, it’s one you want to avoid at all costs once you begin college. Time management for college students needs to be treated just as seriously as the classes themselves. Otherwise, you could easily become overwhelmed and quickly put your grades at risk.

Time Management for College Students: 6 Simple Tips

Fortunately, while time management for college students is often a problem, it doesn’t need to be for you.

Follow the 6 tips covered below – and you’ll have a much easier time organizing your days, staying on track, and reaching your full potential.

1. Use a Calendar

This may seem like obvious advice, but if you don’t already have a calendar, you’re setting yourself up for stress.

Everyone has one on their phone these days, but consider purchasing an actual calendar, as well. Put it somewhere you’ll see it on a daily basis and it will be much easier to keep track of what your upcoming obligations are.

These should include:

• Social Events

Again, it’s okay to use the calendar on your phone, too. In fact, there are some really great calendar apps for college students.

Just be sure you also keep a physical one handy. This is especially helpful if you live with someone who will also see your calendar on a regular basis and can keep you accountable.

2. Leave Plenty of Open Hours in Your Day

One mistake a lot of new college students make is filling every waking hour of their day. It’s an ambitious and admirable approach, but it’s ultimately not sustainable.

You can’t possibly know exactly how every hour of your week will play out.

For example, you could get sick. You could also realize that you need to spend a little more time studying a certain subject or speaking with your instructor about it.

This is why your schedule should include plenty of free time.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that this free time shouldn’t be used for school if nothing pops up. A big part of time management for college students is using those open hours to stay ahead of things.

3. Maintain a Regular Routine

Another effective way to defend your precious time is by keeping a regular routine.

For one thing, you’ll have a much easier time organizing your calendar every week. Assuming there haven’t been any major changes to your schedule, just use the same routine from the week before and then add in any new obligations.

It also makes planning much simpler, too. When you know exactly when you’re going to wake up, when your day is going to end, when you’ll spend time studying, etc., you won’t double-book yourself or end up in situations where you haven’t given yourself enough time to complete a certain task.

4. Don’t Skimp on Sleep

Staying up late to study and finish assignments has become a college-student cliché.

That doesn’t make it a good idea, though, so don’t let it become a part of your life.

Sleep is far too important to not earn a prominent role on your calendar. Unfortunately, most college students don’t get enough of it.

As you’re probably well aware, the biggest consequence of this is a lack of focus – something you absolutely need in the classroom.

There are many additional issues lack of sleep can cause. You’ll also be much more likely to get sick, which means you could end up missing classes. Sufficient sleep will also help you manage stress and anxiety, which will go a long way toward helping you perform at your highest potential.

Despite what you may have heard, not everyone needs eight hours of sleep . As much as possible, try going to bed early enough that you can wake up in time without an alarm clock. This will show you how much sleep you really need, which you can then add to your schedule.

5. Wake Up Early

Getting enough sleep and waking up early don’t have to be at odds with one another. This is good news because, as we just covered, getting enough sleep is vital and waking up early is incredible for productivity.

While it may take some practice to successfully leave your comfortable bed an hour or more before you actually “have to”, the benefits will definitely make this practice worth it.

As we touched on at the beginning, time management for college students is usually a challenge because there just doesn’t ever seem to be enough time to get everything done.

By waking up early, you’re basically adding hours to your day. No one is going to be texting you or messaging you through social media. Other distractions will probably be equally rare.

Now, just in case you accidentally sleep in, don’t use this time for doing assignments do that same day.

Instead, use it to do assignments do the next day or at some other point in the future. You can break down larger assignments into smaller, more manageable pieces by working on them one morning at a time. This is also a great strategy for getting more studying done.

6. Turn Time Management for College Students into a Priority

The last tip is to treat time management for college students as a serious priority. This means practicing the above tips as much as possible. Even when you think you have plenty of time to finish an assignment or study – or handle any other vital task in your life – keep your commitment to this priority in mind.

If you do, it won’t be long before you’re on top of your classes and able to enjoy college stress-free.

Seek a Supportive College Environment

Most importantly, choose to attend a school that will also treat time management for college students as a priority – one that appreciates you already lead a busy life.

At IntelliTec College , we appreciate that our students lead busy lives. If you’d like to learn about the programs we offer and how to fit classes into your current schedule, contact us today.

Time Management for Students

Time management is an essential skill for college students - a good system allows you to successfully juggle all your classes, assignments and social life. In this guide, we'll cover practical tips for how to manage your time as a student.

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Here are our favorite time management tips for college students.

Assess Priorities and Set Goals

To start learning time management skills for students, it's important to make a good plan. It will make your responsibilities feel more manageable, and you'll be able to keep yourself accountable. To start, follow these  three core steps : 

Step 1: Assess priorities and set clear goals

Identify priorities:  Start by understanding what truly matters to you. Is it excelling at a particular subject, building relationships, or developing a new skill? Recognize these priorities and plan accordingly.

Set SMART goals:  Once you identify what's important, it's time to establish some goals. Having specific and well-defined goals will give you direction and motivation. You can use the SMART model to craft effective and realistic time management goals for yourself. The acronym stands for S pecific M easurable A chievable R elevant and T ime-Specific.

Understand the big picture:  Your goals should align with your broader life ambitions and academic path. Understanding how daily or weekly objectives fit into the long-term plan will help keep you focused and inspired.

Step 2: Collect all tasks and prioritize them

Use a planner:  Whether a physical planner or a digital app, itä tracking tasks, deadlines, and appointments is essential.

Prioritize tasks:  Not all tasks are equally important. Using methods like the Eisenhower Matrix, categorize tasks into urgent and important, important but not urgent, etc. This helps in determining what to tackle first. Our FREE Time Management for Students cheat-sheet can help you organize and prioritize your tasks.

Break down larger tasks:  Students are often given large assignments that can seem daunting at first. To make them more manageable, break them into smaller parts and schedule time to complete each part. If you're not sure how long each task will take, try to recollect how much time it took you to complete similar tasks in the past, and use that as a guide for your future plans.

Step 3: Regularly review and update your list

Monitor progress:  Continuously evaluate how you're doing in relation to your goals. Are you on track? What can be improved?

Adjust and refine goals:  As you progress through the semester, your understanding of your capabilities and needs may change. Don't hesitate to modify your goals to better suit your evolving situation.

Stay aligned with your long-term aspirations:  Regularly reassess your daily and weekly objectives to ensure they are still in alignment with your overarching ambitions and academic milestones.

Create a Schedule - Timeblocking

An effective technique for time management for students is timeblocking .

Timeblocking is the practice of planning out every moment of your day into sections or "blocks" of time, assigning specific tasks or activities to each block. It creates a visual representation of your day, helping you stay committed to your tasks and minimizing distractions.

Here's how to do it:

• Add time-sensitive events first: Important events and tasks that have to be completed at a very specific time (i.e. university lessons, dentist appointments or work) need to be added first. You can plan the rest of your day/week around these.
• Group tasks:  Group tasks that are similar in nature together. For example, you can allocate a couple of hours a week for "admin work" - reviewing/planning your week, responding to emails, calling the doctor, booking appointments, and other similar tasks.
• Review and adjust : At the end of the day or week, review your schedule and adjust as necessary for future planning.

At the end the entire process, your calendar should look something like this:

💡 Pro tips:

Time management for students has to be more flexible than the average person's because your responsibilities and schedules may change every week. To achieve this, follow these guidelines:

• Set reasonable time durations for each task, considering the complexity and effort required.
• Avoid overloading your schedule, as it might lead to stress, burnout and inefficiency.
• Include breaks: Integrate breaks between time blocks to rest and recharge, and make sure to include some unscheduled free time for unforeseen events (or relaxation!). 

Understand Why You Procrastinate

Did you know that 70-75% of students hit the snooze button when it comes to starting their academic activities?

One of the time management skills for students is understanding why you procrastinate .  Here are some common reasons why students procrastinate, and how to overcome them:

Use Technology to Manage Your Time Effectively

Time management for students doesn't have to be boring!  You can take advantage of various productivity apps to stay on top of your tasks.

These are some of the more popular ones: 

• Organize tasks into projects and set due dates with reminders.The app syncs across devices.
• Offers priority levels, labels, and filters.Has lots of integrations with 3rd party apps like Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams and Evernote.
• Free for the base option (which is more than enough for most students), but you can upgrade to the Pro version for $4/month.
• A visual approach to task management.
• The app uses boards, lists, and cards to represent tasks and their statuses, creating a clear and engaging overview.Allows for collaboration on group projects by sharing boards and assigning tasks to each other.
• Free for the base option (which is more than enough for individual students), but you can upgrade to the Standard plan for $5/month if you need more team features.

Note: Trello offers a discount to educational institutions, so your university may offer accounts! Make sure to check this.

• Includes task management, calendar integration, and note-taking capabilities.
• The app's calendar offers seamless scheduling of deadlines and events.
• The note-taking function allows users to jot down ideas, lecture notes, or project details alongside their tasks.
• Free for the base option (which is more than enough for individual students), but you can upgrade to the Premium plan for $3/month if you need extra features like integrations, WhatsApp reminders and color tags.

Digital calendars

• Digital calendars allow you to color-code your schedule, set recurring events, and even receive reminders for upcoming tasks or classes.
• Another benefit of using the default app are integrations with your smart voice assistant, and other apps you use.
• Free for the default apps, but there may be paid options if you're using a third-party calendar.

Seek Support When Learning How to Manage Your Time as a Student

Remember, you're not alone on this college journey - you can learn how to manage your time as a student together with your peers!

Being around productive peers will motivate you to stay on top of your game. You can help each other stay organized and on track with assignments and deadlines. Plus, they offer a supportive environment where you can ask questions and clarify doubts. Time management for students has always been a popular topic of discussion.

Online forums and virtual study groups provide a platform for students to connect with peers from all over the world. Virtual discussions, sharing study materials, and collaborating via Discord, Reddit and similar platforms allows you to develop time management skills along with students from all over the world. 

Listen to Your Body

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Discover your personal peak hours of productivity and make them work for you. Find your rhythm and allocate your most challenging tasks to those periods.  

Experiment with different study techniques to find what works best for you. Whether it's short focused study bursts or long immersive sessions, embrace your unique style and maximize your brainpower. 

Curious to know what kind of student you are? Our free 3-minute quiz will tell you what kind of study method suits you the best. 

Don't Forget the Power of Self-Care

Remember that taking care of yourself is crucial for effective time management  - especially for students. College life can be demanding, but neglecting self-care can lead to burnout and reduced productivity. 

Make sure to include time in your schedule for relaxation, exercise, and hobbies that bring you joy . Taking breaks and getting enough sleep are essential for maintaining focus and cognitive function.  

Prioritize your well-being by practicing mindfulness, engaging in activities that recharge you, and seeking support when needed . By incorporating self-care into your time management routine, you'll enhance your overall well-being and be better equipped to handle the demands of college life. 

Sara Evans Author

Sara is the Content Designer at Keystone Academic Solutions, in charge of creating and curating content for students across the globe. Due to her background in UX and teaching, she's always in pursuit of new ways of presenting information more clearly.

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Time Management for College Students: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies

Article 27 Jan 2023 4992 0

Introduction: College students are often faced with the challenge of managing their time effectively. With a busy schedule of classes, assignments, extracurricular activities, and a social life, it can be difficult to stay on top of everything. However, good time management is crucial for college students as it can lead to academic success, stress reduction, and better overall well-being. In this article, we will discuss the importance of time management for college students, the challenges they face, and strategies and techniques they can use to improve their time management skills.

Challenges of Time Management for College Students:

• Balancing academic and social responsibilities: One of the biggest challenges for college students is balancing the demands of their academic responsibilities with the desire to have a social life and engage in extracurricular activities. This can lead to overcommitting and feeling overwhelmed.
• Difficulty prioritizing tasks: With a long to-do list, it can be difficult for college students to determine which tasks are most important and should be prioritized. This can lead to procrastination and feeling scattered.
• Procrastination: College students are often guilty of procrastination, putting off important tasks until the last minute. This can lead to added stress and poor performance.
• Distractions: With constant access to technology and social media, it can be easy for college students to become distracted and lose track of time.

Benefits of Good Time Management:

• Improved academic performance: Good time management skills can lead to better academic performance as students are able to prioritize and complete their assignments on time.
• Reduced stress: By managing their time effectively, college students are able to avoid last-minute scrambling and reduce their stress levels.
• Increased productivity: Good time management can lead to increased productivity as students are able to accomplish more in a shorter amount of time.
• Better overall well-being: By managing their time effectively, college students are able to maintain a better balance between their academic and personal lives, leading to better overall well-being.

Strategies and Techniques for Improving Time Management:

• Setting goals: Setting specific and measurable goals can help college students focus their efforts and prioritize their tasks.
• Creating a schedule: Creating a schedule or planner can help students visualize their time and plan out their responsibilities.
• Prioritizing tasks: Prioritizing tasks based on importance and urgency can help students focus on what needs to be done first.
• Eliminating distractions: Eliminating distractions such as social media and notifications can help students focus on their tasks.
• Using a planner: Using a planner or calendar can help students keep track of deadlines and upcoming events.
• Time blocking: Time blocking involves breaking down tasks into smaller chunks of time and focusing on one task at a time.
• Taking breaks: It's important to take regular breaks to refresh the mind and recharge the body.

Latest Studies and Research:

• A study conducted by the American College Health Association found that college students who reported poor time management skills had higher levels of stress and lower academic performance.
• Another study conducted by the University of Maryland found that students who reported good time management skills had better overall well-being and were more satisfied with their college experience.
• A study by the International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning found that students who used a digital planner for time management had better academic performance than those who did not.
• Research from the Journal of Educational Psychology stated that students who set goals and make plans for achieving them have better time management skills than those who do not.

In addition to the above strategies and techniques, there are several other methods college students can use to improve their time management skills.

• Breaking down larger tasks into smaller tasks: Instead of trying to tackle a large project all at once, breaking it down into smaller tasks can make it feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
• Using a timer: Setting a timer for a specific amount of time can help students focus and stay on task. When the timer goes off, they can take a break or move on to the next task.
• Avoiding multitasking: Multitasking can actually be counterproductive, as it can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress. Instead, students should focus on one task at a time.
• Delegating tasks: College students can also delegate tasks to others, such as group projects or tasks that can be outsourced.
• Staying organized: A cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind, so it's important for college students to keep their living and work spaces organized.

Overall, the importance of time management for college students cannot be overstated. With the right strategies and techniques, college students can improve their time management skills, leading to better academic performance, reduced stress, and improved overall well-being. With latest studies and research, it's evident that time management has a direct impact on student's academic success and mental health.

Case Study:

Meet Sarah, a college student who has always struggled with time management. Despite her best efforts, she often found herself rushing to finish assignments at the last minute, staying up late to study, and feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Sarah decided to take a closer look at her time management habits and identify the areas where she needed improvement. She began by setting specific goals for herself, such as finishing her assignments at least one day before they were due. She also created a schedule for herself, including dedicated blocks of time for studying, doing homework, and participating in extracurricular activities.

In addition to setting goals and creating a schedule, Sarah also began prioritizing her tasks. She learned to focus on the most important tasks first and set aside less important tasks for later. She also started breaking down larger tasks into smaller tasks to make them more manageable.

Sarah also made an effort to avoid multitasking and to stay organized. She set aside specific times of the day for checking her email and social media, and made sure to keep her living and work spaces clutter-free.

With these changes, Sarah was able to improve her time management skills and saw a significant improvement in her academic performance. She was able to finish her assignments on time, felt less stressed, and had more time for other activities.

In conclusion, Sarah's case study shows that with the right strategies and techniques, college students can improve their time management skills and achieve better academic performance, reduced stress, and improved overall well-being. It highlights that setting goals, creating schedules, prioritizing tasks, avoiding multitasking, staying organized, and delegating tasks can be effective ways to manage time.

Quick Knowledge

Time management is the process of planning and organizing how to allocate time effectively and efficiently. It is an important skill for college students as it can lead to better academic performance, reduced stress, and improved overall well-being. Common challenges that college students face with managing their time include procrastination, multitasking, and disorganization. To improve time management skills, students can set goals, create schedules, prioritize tasks, avoid multitasking, stay organized, and delegate tasks. Additionally, latest studies and research have shown that time management has a direct impact on student's academic success and mental health.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, time management is crucial for college students to achieve academic success, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. By understanding the challenges they face and implementing effective strategies and techniques, college students can improve their time management skills and make the most of their college experience.

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Time management in college: Tips for success

College is a time to learn skills and knowledge related to your desired career field, but learning core soft skills is also typically key to success. Time management is one of these—and for good reason. As recent research suggests, good time-management skills are associated with both higher levels of academic achievement and lower levels of anxiety. Students who learn to navigate various demands on their time may also gain valuable self-management and discipline skills that could prove useful in their future careers. Read on for more information about the importance of time management, its key components, and how to improve each of them.

The importance of time management for students

If you're a college student, learning to manage your time appropriately may have several potential benefits. One of these is increased academic performance. In many cases, college represents the first time in their life that a student is solely responsible for their own success, so developing strong self-direction skills might be one of the best ways to ensure that they meet their academic goals. Time management is also an important skill in the workplace, so developing it in college can help support a student’s future career success.  

In addition, as noted above, adequate time management can be associated with lower levels of anxiety. This is because it can help you make sure that you complete assignments on time and are using the strategies you need to avoid falling behind in your studies. 

The three core skills of time management

There are many skills students may need to develop as they learn the self-discipline necessary to excel in college and the workplace. Many people are familiar with basic strategies for managing their time such as using a calendar or limiting distractions, for example. However, a 2017 study suggests that those strategies are actually based on three broader, underlying skills that are core to good time management overall. These are:

• Awareness, or the ability to think realistically about time and understand it as a limited resource
• Arrangement, or the ability to organize, plan, set goals, follow schedules, and complete tasks—which is what most people think of when considering the skill of managing time
• Adaptation, or the ability to monitor time usage, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes to utilize time more efficiently

A key finding from the study indicates that  all three skills matter equally , but many individuals focus solely on the arrangement skill—for example, implementing strategies to improve scheduling and planning but not focusing on awareness or adaptation. This might be why people often experience disappointing results after trying a new tool for managing their time—because they are only focused on one-third of the necessary skills.

Researchers in the 2017 study also discovered that people seem to have the most trouble with awareness and adaptation skills, scoring 24% lower in these areas on average than in the area of arrangement. They note as well that the average person is not typically accurate when evaluating their own ability to manage time. In fact, only 1% of participants had self-ratings that matched their scores on objective measures of awareness, arrangement, and adaptation. That’s why learning to improve one’s skills in each of these areas can be paramount to improving time-management abilities.

Tips for improving your awareness skills

To improve your time-management skills, you might start by aiming to boost your sense of awareness —an area where people are commonly lacking. Here are a few techniques that might help.

Keep a journal

Most people know the importance of keeping a to-do list or planner handy to keep track of tasks. What many don’t know is that journaling can boost the utility of these organizational aids by giving you insight into how your time is actually spent and different factors that may affect it. 

To leverage the power of journaling, you might make brief journal entries throughout the day as you complete tasks, also noting environmental factors (whether you listened to music while working on your task, whether you used productivity timers or methods, etc.). When you look back on your entries, you may notice trends that you can capitalize on for increased productivity.

Ask for feedback

In many cases, those around you can offer some insight into your ability to manage time. To discover these insights, you might ask people in your life to share their impressions of your time-management skills, making sure to keep an open mind toward their feedback. For example, you could talk to classmates you study with or who have worked with you on group projects. Considering their comments may give you ideas on new areas for improvement.

Track your time temporarily 

It may be energy-intensive and require discipline, but tracking your time usage over a certain period can produce valuable insights into your existing time-management skills and where you could improve. To do this, you might make a note of what you’re doing every half-hour for an extended period. One expert suggests 30 days , but starting with just one week may be easier. At the end of your time-tracking period, analyze how you spent your time to find patterns. For instance, you might note that you’re particularly productive in the afternoons or realize that you struggle to focus when others are around.

Tips for improving your arrangement skills

Most of the commonly suggested time-management strategies—such as adhering to a task list or keeping a calendar, for example—are arrangement skills. Some tips for enhancing arrangement skills are listed below.

A key element in ensuring your tasks get completed is avoiding procrastination and falling behind. It can be tempting to delay research papers and other complex assignments until the day before they’re due, but there’s a good chance your stress levels will be higher and your work quality lower than if you had started earlier and worked on them bit by bit over time. Making a schedule and setting reminders to stick to it may help you avoid procrastination, as may enlisting a classmate with the same assignment to be your accountability buddy.

Use organizational tools

Using organizational tools such as calendars, planners, reminders, and to-do lists, for example, can also increase your ability to manage time. It may be challenging to build the habit initially, but leveraging these to help keep track of your schedule, due dates, and other important information can significantly reduce your cognitive workload. It can help to experiment a bit at first to find what works best for you.

Pursue recreation too

Rest and recreation are important when managing your time, too. It’s generally not realistic to spend every waking minute on academic tasks. Consider using social events or other activities you enjoy as a reward for completed work, and make sure to schedule regular time specifically for rest and relaxation regardless.

Tips for improving your adaptation skills

Adapting to change is another crucial component of how you manage time. Here are a few ways to boost your adaptation skills.

Prioritize prioritization

You may want to take a step back and assess your priorities regularly, such as at the start of every week. You might consider your academic workload, any upcoming events that week, and any exams or assignment deadlines before deciding which task should take the highest priority. It may also help to reassess your priorities when significant changes to tasks or schedules occur. For example, if your professor postpones a difficult exam by one week, it may be worth revisiting your priorities to determine if other tasks now take precedence over studying for that exam.

Respond instead of reacting

When schedules become hectic, it can be easy to become reactive rather than responsive. Reactive behaviors are often impulsive and based on emotion, like when stress about an exam leads to unintentional procrastination, for example. Responding to changes, in contrast, could look like taking a step back, breathing, and then rationally evaluating your next course of action. College can be stressful and a growing task list may make you feel overwhelmed, but taking a few minutes to decide your next course of action based on logic can save you time in the long run.

Be flexible

You might find it comforting to schedule every minute on your calendar. The structure of a well-planned day or week can be a relief from stress, but it might not leave room for adaptation. Try to leave some gaps in your schedule to allow for other people's schedule changes and unexpected demands on your time that could arise. You may also need extra time if you underestimate how long it will take you to do a complex assignment or if you get sick and need to rest more than usual.

Sharpening your time-management skills in therapy

Another way to work on skills related to time management is to connect with a therapist. They can help you manage any emotions that may be impacting your academic success or general well-being, like stress, overwhelm, or low self-esteem, and they can equip you with strategies for juggling your responsibilities that are catered to your situation and needs. If a mental health condition like anxiety is impacting your success at school, they can also support you in addressing these symptoms.

Due to busy schedules or limited budgets, traveling to a therapist’s office and paying a premium for in-person visits isn’t always a viable option for college students. That’s why many choose to engage in online therapy sessions instead, which can be attended from the comfort of home or a library study room and typically cost less than a traditional in-office visit. You can get matched with a licensed online therapist through a platform like BetterHelp . Research suggests that online therapy can produce similar outcomes to in-person sessions, so you can generally feel confident in choosing either format.

Research suggests that awareness, adaptation, and arrangement are three key components of time management. If you’re looking to improve your time-management skills as a college student, you might focus on building up your abilities in these three areas through strategies like asking for feedback on your skills, scheduling time for rest and recreation, and learning how to prioritize. Meeting with a therapist can also be helpful.

• How time management skills and organizational skills are related Medically reviewed by April Justice , LICSW
• How Student Time Management Skills Can Increase Your Productivity Medically reviewed by April Justice , LICSW
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Home » The Basics » 25 Time management Activities for College Students

25 Time management Activities for College Students

May 29, 2023

Time management is a crucial skill for college students that can significantly impact their academic success and overall well-being. With the demanding schedules and multiple responsibilities that come with college life, effective time management becomes essential to stay organized, reduce stress, and achieve goals. By prioritizing tasks, creating schedules, and implementing strategies to make the most of their time, college students can enhance their productivity, improve their study habits, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

In this article, we will explore 25 time management activities specifically tailored for college students. These activities encompass various aspects of college life, including prioritizing academic tasks, efficient study strategies, managing coursework and exams, balancing academics and personal life, organizing digital resources, and developing effective time management habits. By incorporating these activities into their daily routines, college students can optimize their time and set themselves up for success during their academic journey.

Whether you’re a freshman navigating the transition to college or a seasoned student looking to refine your time management skills, this guide will provide you with practical strategies and actionable tips to make the most of your time. Let’s dive in and discover effective time management activities that will help you excel academically while maintaining a fulfilling college experience.

Table of Contents

Why Time Management is Important for College Students

Effective time management is crucial for college students to succeed academically and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Here’s why it’s important:

1. Academic Success

College life is demanding, with multiple courses, assignments, and exams to juggle simultaneously. Good time management skills allow students to prioritize tasks, allocate sufficient time for studying, and meet deadlines. By managing time effectively, students can reduce stress levels, improve focus, and enhance their overall academic performance.

2. Increased Productivity

Proper time management enables students to maximize productivity. By creating a schedule and setting specific time blocks for different activities, such as studying, attending classes, and engaging in extracurricular activities, students can avoid procrastination and make the most of their time. This approach helps them accomplish more in less time and frees up valuable moments for relaxation and self-care.

3. Stress Reduction

College life often comes with various stressors, such as heavy workloads, exams, and social obligations. By effectively managing their time, students can reduce stress levels and prevent burnout. Prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals, and maintaining a well-structured routine can help students feel more in control of their responsibilities and avoid last-minute rushes, leading to a more balanced and stress-free college experience.

4. Balanced Lifestyle

College is not just about academics; it also offers numerous opportunities for personal growth, socialization, and pursuing hobbies. By managing time effectively, students can allocate dedicated periods for both academic and non-academic activities. This balance allows them to develop meaningful relationships, engage in extracurricular activities, and maintain a healthy lifestyle, fostering personal well-being and overall satisfaction.

5. Future Preparation

Time management skills developed during college are transferable to professional life. Employers value individuals who can manage their time effectively, meet deadlines, and prioritize tasks. By practicing effective time management as students, individuals can develop a habit that will benefit them in their future careers, helping them succeed in the workplace and achieve long-term goals.

In conclusion, understanding the importance of time management is essential for college students to thrive academically and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Now, let’s delve into specific time management activities that can help students effectively manage their time and make the most of their college experience. Here are 25 time management activities for college students to consider:

1. Prioritize Tasks

Managing time effectively begins with setting priorities. Identify the most important tasks and allocate sufficient time for their completion.

2. Create a Schedule

Develop a daily or weekly schedule that outlines specific time slots for studying, attending classes, completing assignments, and engaging in extracurricular activities.

3. Set Realistic Goals

Establish achievable goals for each day, week, or semester. Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable subtasks to maintain motivation and progress.

4. Use a Planner or Digital Organizer

Utilize a planner or digital organizer to keep track of deadlines, appointments, and important dates. This tool can help you stay organized and ensure you don’t miss any essential tasks.

5. Avoid Procrastination

Procrastination can lead to increased stress and poor time management. Break tasks into smaller steps, eliminate distractions, and adopt strategies like the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused.

6. Learn to Say No

Recognize your limits and learn to decline additional commitments when your schedule is already full. Prioritizing your time and energy is essential for maintaining balance.

7. Allocate Breaks

Include short breaks within your schedule to rest and recharge. Taking regular breaks can improve focus and productivity when you return to your tasks.

8. Utilize Time Blocks

Divide your day into specific time blocks for different activities. Assign dedicated blocks for studying, attending classes, socializing, and other essential tasks.

9. Practice Active Listening

Engage in active listening during lectures and discussions to absorb information effectively. This reduces the need to spend additional time reviewing material later.

10. Group Similar Tasks Together

Batching similar tasks, such as replying to emails, completing readings, or writing essays, can enhance productivity by reducing context switching.

11. Utilize Productivity Tools

Explore productivity tools and apps that can help you manage your time more efficiently. These tools often provide features like task lists, reminders, and progress tracking.

12. Minimize Distractions

Create a study environment free from distractions. Turn off notifications on your phone, find a quiet place to work, and use website blockers to minimize distractions from social media or entertainment websites.

13. Delegate Responsibilities

If possible, delegate certain tasks or responsibilities to others, such as group projects or household chores. This can help free up time for more important or urgent tasks.

14. Set Deadlines Ahead of Time

Set self-imposed deadlines for assignments and projects that are earlier than the actual due dates. This provides a buffer in case unexpected issues arise.

15. Practice Time Blocking

Allocate specific time blocks for specific activities in your schedule. For example, designate specific times for studying, exercising, attending club meetings, and personal time.

16. Break Larger Tasks into Smaller Steps

Large projects or assignments can be overwhelming. Break them down into smaller, manageable tasks to make them more approachable and less daunting.

17. Eliminate Time Wasters

Identify activities that consume significant amounts of your time without providing substantial benefits. Reduce or eliminate these time wasters to create more productive days.

18. Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle

Ensure you allocate time for self-care, relaxation, and pursuing hobbies. A well-rounded lifestyle helps prevent burnout and enhances overall productivity.

19. Utilize Commute Time

Make use of commute time for productive activities, such as listening to educational podcasts, reviewing notes, or brainstorming ideas.

20. Practice Active Reading

Develop effective reading strategies, such as skimming, scanning, and note-taking, to optimize your reading speed and comprehension.

21. Take Advantage of Productive Hours

Identify your most productive hours of the day and schedule important or challenging tasks during that time. Use your peak mental energy to tackle complex assignments or study demanding subjects.

22. Seek Support and Collaboration

Collaborate with classmates or form study groups to share resources, exchange ideas, and hold each other accountable. Working together can help streamline tasks and enhance understanding.

23. Regularly Review and Adjust Your Schedule

Take time to evaluate your schedule and make necessary adjustments. Reflect on your progress, identify areas for improvement, and adapt your time management strategies accordingly.

24. Practice Self-Reflection and Evaluation

Regularly assess your time management skills and habits. Reflect on what worked well and what needs improvement. Adjust your approach based on your self-evaluation.

25. Seek Help When Needed

If you’re struggling with time management despite your efforts, seek guidance from academic advisors, counselors, or time management workshops offered by your college. They can provide valuable insights and strategies tailored to your specific needs.

Remember, effective time management is a skill that requires practice and adaptability. Experiment with different techniques and find what works best for you. By implementing these activities, you can optimize your time, reduce stress, and achieve academic and personal success as a college student.

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10 Super Useful Time Management Tips for College Students

Table of contents

Meredith Sell

Junior year of college, my schedule was totally packed. Between a full class load, working two campus jobs, writing for the student newspaper, and singing with the gospel choir, I had a lot to manage. 

Sometime during the spring semester, I created a spreadsheet that outlined my days, hour by hour.

My goal every week (along with completing assigned readings and submitting assignments on time) was to finish my weekend homework on Saturday, so I could have Sundays totally off from school. The spreadsheet and my old-fashioned paper planner — where I kept track of every assignment and deadline — made this seemingly impossible feat possible .

I’d work in the library on Friday nights until it closed, and sometimes repeat the act on Saturdays, but Sundays were homework-free.

Time management is a challenge for many college students. But to succeed in higher education, you need to make time work for you. 

That’s why we compiled 10 time management tips to help you out 😉

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The Basics (and Benefits) of Good Time Management

Managing your time is like managing your money:

You have a limited amount — of cash or minutes — so you work to make the most of what you have . 

This probably involves some restriction (of spending or how many extracurriculars you sign up for). Maybe you decide not to play intramural volleyball because you’re already taking tennis class and you need more time to study physics.

Or you might designate certain times for certain tasks, the way a good budget sets aside a portion of each paycheck for expenses like rent. Let’s say, you have an hour break between classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, so each day, you head straight to the library to tackle reading assignments without distractions.

Think of time management as budgeting your time. You know how much time you’re working with (24 – 6-8 hours for sleep each day = 16-18 hours) and how much homework and reading you have to do. All you need to do now is assign tasks to time.

Practice discipline up front, and you’ll reap the benefits of guilt-free time that you can spend however you want — with no anxiety creeping in about that assignment you haven’t started.

10 Tips for Optimal Time Management

Before you look at our tips, make sure you’ve checked off these time management steps:

✔ Go through your syllabus from each class.

✔ Organize your assignments, deadlines, and schedule in one place, like a digital calendar or paper planner.

✔ Use color-coding or another method to distinguish homework assignments from events, classes, and social plans.

Make sure you know exactly what’s on your plate, what’s coming up and how much time you’re working with. Then, use these tips to make the most of your time:

1. Identify your time management style — and shortcomings.

Do you tend to get sucked into one project and, three hours later, realize you’ve finished one thing but have 10 other tasks still staring you down? Or do you take a more squirrel-like approach, jumping from task to task and struggling to check anything off?

Reflect on where you get stuck with time management — and use that information to strategize solutions.

If you get caught up in individual tasks, try setting a timer so you’ll know when to move on. If you’re always multitasking, try focusing on just one task for 20-45 minutes and don’t move on to the next task until after that time period (or you’ve finished the task in question). 

If you have a hard time getting started, play around with the Pomodoro Technique: 

🍅 Set a timer for 25 minutes.

🍅 Work on one task during those 25 minutes.

🍅 When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. Then start the cycle over again.

‍ The idea is to understand your tendencies (distraction, hyper-focus without completion, etc.) and then find an approach that combats those shortcomings and promotes productivity.

2. List your priorities. Then refine your list.

Is there a certain class you absolutely must get an A in? One you know will be especially hard?

Are you also juggling work and a serious relationship? Going to school while caring for kids?

Think through your priorities — in school and out of school. Make a list for: the semester, this month, and the current week. Now, organize your to-do list with those priorities in mind.

What is a must-do? What could wait until after the semester ends or after you turn in that big paper?

Making priorities on the semester, month, and week levels will help you keep the big picture in mind , while also handling any surprises that arise. One week, your priority may be to research a paper for a history class. Next, you may aim to get ahead in reading for your global literature class, so later this month, when family is in town, you’ll have extra room in your schedule to spend time with them.

Write out your priorities and keep them somewhere easy to reference. As the semester continues, revisit them and adjust your weekly and monthly priorities as needed.

Use your list of priorities to hone in on what’s important — and stop multitasking. Instead of splitting your attention between five different assignments, focus on one at a time , starting with the top item on your priority list.

• If you’re struggling in your general education astronomy class, but your accounting class (which counts toward your major) has a big exam this week, studying for your exam should be the bigger priority. 
• If you’re in the middle of reading tomorrow’s assigned text for your British literature class, but you need to pick your kids up from daycare in ten minutes — put the book down and go get your kids.

The progress may feel slow when you’re only doing one thing at a time, but track your time and the tasks you accomplish, and you’ll see almost immediate improvement to your productivity.

3. Create a visual plan.

Are you more of a visual thinker? Do progress bars and illustrations mean more to you than percentages?

Then scrap the traditional to-do list — at least for bigger assignments. Instead, try a more visual approach:

• Use a bulletin board and index cards or sticky notes to show where you are in the process of researching, writing, and revising a senior thesis. You can use the same columns for all assignments (for example: Research, First Draft, Second Draft, Final) or create different columns/progress steps for each assignment. Every time you complete a step, move that assignment’s card to the next ste p.

• Create a Gantt chart to map out the different steps and the time needed for each step. Work backwards from your project’s due date to where you are now, giving yourself enough time to complete each task. 

Gantt charts can be especially helpful for collaborative or group projects, where each person has different responsibilities. My junior year, I used a Gantt chart to plan and track progress on a collaborative book project, where I was working with other students to write, design, edit, and print a book over the course of the semester. Gantt charts clearly show how each step is connected to the others, and how one missed deadline has ripple effects on everything else. They also show you, at a glance, exactly how much time you’re working with.

4. Get accountability.

Some people work best alone, but others need study buddies or a group to help them stay on-task. If that’s you, seek out accountability by finding a classmate or group of fellow students to study with. You might be in the same class — or you might all just prefer to camp out in the library with company. 

The key here is that your study buddy or group helps you focus and isn’t a distraction. If your BFF is always interrupting your train of thought to gossip, you might need to study with someone else.

If you’re struggling to find anyone to study with, check with your university’s academic resource center. They may organize study groups, know about existing ones — or offer some advice for how you can effectively study on your own.

5. Find out what time of day you focus best — and reserve that time for homework.

Are you an early bird? A night owl? Does your brain fire up in the late afternoon?

Use this information to your advantage and schedule your study sessions for your brain’s peak time. Block it off on your calendar and set a routine.

• Early risers might get up with the sun and study quietly at breakfast.
• Midday minds may grab a quick lunch between classes and tuck away in a corner on campus with their laptops and textbooks.
• Late-night learners might hole away in the library or residence hall lounge and take copious notes while others socialize or snooze.

Guard your prime time from competing activities. Find a place where you won’t be interrupted — and then go the extra mile and remove technological distractions.

6. Silence your phone, turn off notifications, and stay off social media.

One minute on TikTok easily turns into two hours. A quick scroll on Reddit or Instagram and you’ve completely forgotten what you’re supposed to be doing instead.

But you can make technology work for you.

Start by silencing your phone and turning off notifications from whatever social media apps you have. Then, if needed, use a tool like BlockSite or Freedom to keep yourself away from distracting websites during your study hours.

You don’t have to give up social media altogether, but consider your priorities from earlier — is scoring another follower or like on the ‘Gram really where your energy belongs? Or is your priority to ace your next test?

Embracing digital boundaries will help keep your mind focused on the task at hand.

7. Use other tools to improve your time management.

Setting a timer and installing BlockSite or Freedom on your browser is just the beginning of how you can harness tools to keep yourself focused, on task, and working efficiently.

You can also use:

• Wordtune for shortening your essay writing and editing time.
• Wordtune Read for speeding up your research process (and completing reading assignments more efficiently).
• Evernote (or Google Drive ) for collecting all of your notes in one easy-to-reference place.
• Toggl Track to track your time (the app even has a Pomodoro timer built-in).
• Todoist for organizing to-do lists — and keeping lists easily accessible across your devices.

8. Turn procrastination into productivity.

You’ve been sitting at your desk for 30 minutes, chewing your eraser and flipping from window to window on your computer. You’ve made zero progress on researching your expository essay, which is due next week and is your top priority for today. It may be time to let those priorities flex.

If you’re not getting anywhere with your main task, choose a different, easier, or more interesting task from your to-do list.  

Avoid things that will take a lot of time and energy. The goal here is to accomplish something in a few minutes, so you can build some momentum that will carry you into your main task. 

And even if that strategy doesn’t work — you do the starter task and go right back to staring at the screen — you’ve at least checked something off your list.

9. Take physical breaks.

Working for three-hour chunks — whether on schoolwork or at a desk job — is not sustainable. Breaks are necessary for long-term productivity. And the best breaks from brain work are physical.

Instead of spending your break scrolling your phone or opening another window on your laptop:

🚶🏼‍♀️ Walk the hall or wander campus. 

🚽 Use the bathroom.

🦘 Do some pushups, jumping jacks, air squats.

🎶 Put on some music and dance for 10 minutes.

Just about anything physical and tactile will give your brain a much-needed break from mental work, and your eyes a break from the screen or text. When you return to your desk, you’ll find you’re refreshed and more able to focus.

10. Log every completed task.

If you still feel like you’re accomplishing nothing, this little trick can show you how much you’re actually doing. Throughout the day, take note of every little task you complete — like a to-do list, except it’s a done list. 

• If you organize your to-do list, write that down.
• If you do some initial research for an assignment, log it.
• If you read 5 of the assigned 20 pages, make a note.

Every little bit of progress is progress, and sometimes, just seeing that we’ve done a little bit can motivate us to do more. 

Pair this with tip #8 (turn procrastination into productivity) to build that task-oriented momentum, and soon enough, you’ll be writing down the fully completed tasks that have been hanging over your head all week.

Finding What Works for You

The best time management hacks vary from person to person. Some people need a detailed calendar where everything is scheduled. Some people need visuals and task lists to keep them on track. 

What works for someone else may not work for you. That’s okay — and expected!

Play around with these tips, run some experiments on yourself, and find out what does and doesn’t work for you. Then stick with what works and share the word. Who knows? You might just become your classmates’ time management guru.

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• Study Skills
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• Time Management

Study Skills : Time Management

• Introduction to Time Management
• Getting Things Done
• Creating a Weekly Schedule
• Creating a Semester Plan
• Using an Assignment Tracker
• Creating a Task List
• Putting it all together
• Time Management Additional Resources
• Deciding What To Study
• Knowing How to Study
• Memorizing and Understanding Concepts
• Taking Tests & Exams
• Studying & Test-Taking Additional Resources
• Coping With Stress
• Changing Your Perception of Stress
• Problem Solving To Manage Stress
• Stress Management Additional Resources
• Reading With Purpose
• Taking Notes in Class
• Reading & Note-Taking Additional Resources
• Creating and Preparing For a Presentation
• Presentation Anxiety
• Delivering Presentations
• Presentation Skills Additional Resources
• Setting Goals
• Tackling Problems
• Bouncing Back
• Sleep Matters
• Sleep Habits
• Sleep Strategies
• Meeting with Your Group
• Agreeing on Expectations
• Dealing With Problems
• Study in Groups

Time Management (Module 1 of 9)

Every program at your college involves completing a long list of challenging tasks. Keeping track of those tasks, and their deadlines, is a common source of stress for college students. Many struggling students don’t plan to fail; they simply fail to plan. This module can help you learn to manage your time more effectively.

• Use your time wisely. There are 168 hours in a week. Use idle time to complete smaller tasks. This will free up time for the big things.
• Devote more time to important assignments. Be prepared to invest an average of 2 solid hours for every 5% an assignment is worth.
• Start planning your time early in the semester. The earlier you start managing your time, the easier it is. Get into good habits early so you don’t fall behind.
• Create a semester plan. Write down your deadlines for the semester so that they don’t catch you by surprise.
• Plan out your week. Create a weekly schedule and use it every day.
• Give yourself enough time. Budget at least 1 hour of homework for every hour of class time.
• Prioritize your tasks. Make a task like and do the most important and urgent things first.
• Develop an assignment tracker. Plan how you will complete your assignments by breaking big tasks down into manageable steps.
• Start early. Don’t get sucked into the procrastination trap. Give yourself enough time to complete your assignment properly.
• Plan some down time. Make sure to include time for fun or relaxing into your schedule every day.

Time Management: 4 sub-modules

Study tools.

• Assignment Tracker Template - PDF Opens in a new window
• Managing Time Robbers - PDF Opens in a new window
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• To Do List Template - PDF Opens in a new window
• Weekly Schedule Template - PDF Opens in a new window
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• Last Updated: Apr 10, 2024 1:08 PM
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The Liberty Champion

The official student newspaper of Liberty University

How to manage time in college

You can probably get that done on time … and that’s coming from someone who managed to graduate with a decent GPA in high school while showing up to class with a single mechanical pencil in her pocket.

My unserious, Type B personality did not comprehend the challenges of time management in college had until I paid my way through. Now as a senior who works 23-plus hours a week this semester, a full-time student, an intern and a resident shepherd, I tell you, it can be done.

You’ve probably heard it before, but time management is everything; without it there wouldn’t be any check-offs on a to-do list, no red marks to scratch off those tasks.

In the first planner I ever bought, I scribbled everywhere. It was difficult to organize all of my thoughts under the big blueprint of August. The words jumbled together in a ball of mess — it was worth it. That semester all of my hard work paid off and I got through my first year of college successfully.

If it were as easy to manage time as simply buying a planner, I would tell you to invest in one right now, but the only thing coming between you and your balanced life is yourself. Let me explain.

I transferred in as a commuter. If I had a car at the time it would have been an easy eight-minute drive to campus. That wasn’t the case, at least not for every weekday. What could have been an eight-minute drive turned into an hour and a half on the Lynchburg transit. I worked full-time, managed 18 school credits and had to take the bus back around 8 p.m. before they discontinued the route for the night, another hour and a half back home.

Those long days are past me now, but crucial when looking back at my time at Liberty University. I stayed motivated, pushing myself to the finish line. I looked for any opportunities I could in order to build community in school, and becoming a Resident Shepherd (RS) happened to be just that.

The extra responsibility may sound overwhelming for some and although at times it can be, it has been the greatest blessing. I can live on campus now and enjoy the ability to walk anywhere. I get to truly be invested in the community and I can sit down and do homework right outside my workplace if I need to.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that 74% of students work at least part-time, while 40% of students work full-time, so for those who have no choice but to work to stay in school, you are not alone and getting your work completed can be done.

When you’re thinking, “I wish I had more time,” “I just have a lot to do,” “time doesn’t stop for anyone,” it all may be true, but choose to be strategic, stay motivated and set and maintain your boundaries — psychology textbooks teach this.

Say no to hanging out and playing games when you need to get that assignment done. Bring your school work everywhere. Set a designated time to sit and apply yourself to the tasks written in your planner. Prioritize your rest times.

Planning allows you to navigate time and use it to your advantage so you’re not feeling burned out while taking on so much all at once.

You, my friend, are the decision maker on making things happen.

Time may not be able to stop, but time management can be the cheat code to get all of your daily tasks checked off as finished.

Mella is an intern for the Liberty Champion

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• April 9, 2024
• Balancing Work and Study: Time Management Tips for Medical Assisting Students

As a medical assisting student (or future student) at Caris College, you’re likely juggling a busy schedule that includes coursework, externships, and possibly even part-time work. Balancing these responsibilities can be challenging, but with effective time management strategies, you can succeed both in your studies and in your professional endeavors. In this blog post, we’ll explore some valuable time management tips specifically tailored for medical assisting students at Caris College.

Prioritize Your Tasks

One of the keys to effective time management is prioritization. Identify the most important tasks you need to accomplish each day, whether it’s completing assignments, studying for exams, or fulfilling work commitments. By prioritizing your tasks, you can focus your time and energy on the activities that will have the greatest impact on your academic and professional success.

Create a Schedule

Creating a schedule can help you stay organized and ensure that you allocate time for both studying and work. Use a planner or digital calendar to map out your weekly schedule, blocking off dedicated study sessions and work hours. Be sure to include breaks in your schedule to rest and recharge, as well as time for other activities and responsibilities.

Set Realistic Goals

Set realistic, achievable goals for yourself both academically and professionally. Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals that you can work towards incrementally. Celebrate your achievements along the way, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you encounter setbacks. By setting realistic goals, you can stay motivated and focused on your progress.

Avoid Procrastination

Procrastination can be a major obstacle to effective time management. Combat procrastination by breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and tackling them one at a time. Set deadlines for yourself and hold yourself accountable for meeting them. Additionally, eliminate distractions during study sessions by turning off your phone or logging out of social media.

Seek Support

Don’t hesitate to seek support from your instructors, classmates, and colleagues at Caris College. If you’re struggling to balance your academic and professional responsibilities, reach out for assistance. Your instructors can provide guidance and support, and your classmates can offer valuable insights and perspectives. Remember, you’re not alone—Caris College is here to support you every step of the way.

Balancing work and study as a medical assisting student at Caris College can be challenging, but with effective time management strategies, you can succeed in both areas. Prioritize your tasks, create a schedule, set realistic goals, avoid procrastination, and seek support when needed. By implementing these time management tips, you’ll be well-equipped to excel academically and professionally.

Ready to take the next step in your medical assisting education? Contact us to learn more about our programs and how you can join our vibrant learning community. With the support of Caris College, you can achieve your academic and professional goals while balancing work and study.

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