Managing a busy college schedule can be tricky. Some students take a full course load while working two or even three jobs. They juggle spending time with friends, student organizations, and home-life.
Keeping track of it all can be stressful and as things pile up, it gets harder to stay afloat. Many students say time management is one their biggest challenges.
“My first obstacle was time management. Learning to be able to get homework done, be involved in a student organization, and working a job. You learn that every minute counts during the day.”
Gabriella Parker, B.S. Business Administration alumna
But there are many little things your student can do to get the most out of every single minute. Because that’s what time management is all about. Here are some time management tips your student can use to balance their responsibilities and get the most out of their college experience.
Your student can:
- Create a to-do list. Will it be on paper or digital? Post-its, a daily calendar, Outlook, Trello? Which to-do list suits your student’s style?
- Create a routine, stay organized, and set goals. By planning ahead, your student can accomplish more.
- Know their mood when they have several projects to work on. Are they feeling creative, or focused? Can they devote time to a complicated project now? Or can they push out three smaller assignments at once?
- Find a couple of favorite places to study. Does your student like the quiet of the library or the comfort of their couch? Do they need a latte at the coffee shop while pouring over their laptop?
- Prioritize. College is a big investment. If your student feels they have too much on their plate, ask them to make schoolwork their priority.
- If your student is working, can they try to take two days off of work a week to make time for themselves?
- If your student likes to be involved on campus, but are feeling stretched thin, have they asked themselves, how many extra-curriculars are too many?
- Identify their distractions and practice limiting them when they need to focus on a task.
- Be kind to themselves. Is your student getting enough sleep, are they eating healthy, exercising? It’s okay to take it one step at a time and take breaks. Remind your student to care for themselves.
There are a lot of time management strategies out there. What works best for some, may not work for others. Which tips work best for your student? Which are easiest for them to implement and use continually?
Remind your student too, it’s okay to ask for help when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Finding the right balance takes time. But it can lead your student on the path to success.
