Categories: Education

Time Management Tips for College Students

College is different from high school. You spend less time in class and have more “free” time. As great as this seems, it’s exactly what keeps some college students from succeeding.

I’m a professor at a mid-sized comprehensive university. When I see students who aren’t doing well in courses, it’s rarely because the students aren’t bright enough. More often than not, the issue is time management. Time management is certainly one of the biggest challenges for college students.

And this shouldn’t be surprising. In high school, we structure students’ time from about 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.—maybe even before and after these hours if students are involved in extracurricular activities. High school students don’t have much time that is not spoken for.

A college student will not spend more than about fifteen or so hours a week in class. And the rest of their time? Well, they’re on their own. Most college students who have just finished high school have no idea how to manage their time. They don’t have study halls to do their homework; it’s up to them to carve that time out of their schedule.

Here are some ideas to help you manage your time as a college student:

1.
Schedule in study/homework time. This means actually writing that time your planner. (And YES-you need a planner! Keep it with you at all times!) Don’t “pencil” study time in; use ink. Make it as important as class time. If someone asks you to hang out during this time, the answer is no. That time is already accounted for.

2.
Look ahead. At the start of the semester, put important due dates and tests in your planner. Then write in your planner when you will start working on projects and studying for tests. If you have several assignments due around the same time, you will have to make a plan to get them done. Some students get stressed because they have “soooo many things to do;” this stress may be due to not looking ahead.

3.
Figure out your prime time. When do you work best? In the morning? In the afternoon? Evening? Late night? If you are most productive at a certain time of day, that is the time of day you should be planning to get stuff done. If you are not a morning person, getting up at 6 a.m. to study is probably not the best idea. You may find it’s better to sleep in and study late at night.

4.
Use waiting time. You may have an hour here or there between classes. Many students waste this time. You’d be surprised how much you can get done if you get down to business rather than chatting with friends.

5.
Reward yourself. Make a deal with yourself that you will go have fun with your friends—after you read that chapter or work on that assignment. No one can work all the time, and no one should. Remind yourself that you will have more fun if you don’t have a pile of homework waiting for you when you get home. Get that out of the way first!