Make Time To Manage Your Time

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Time management, two words every college student around the world is being forced to learn. It is the key to being successful not only in college, but in life. Learning how to use every single second in the day to your advantage will help in ways you didn’t think were even possible.

If you’re finding yourself questioning how it is possible to get good grades, have a social life, and actually get some sleep – all while trying to figure out what you want to be for the rest of your life, you’ve come to the right place. Here are tips and tricks of the time management trade.

Write everything down

In order to make the best use of your time, write things down. If you have a list of everything you need to do for the week, you’re less likely to forget to do something. There is nothing worse than the panic of having something due at 3 and remembering it at 2:30. Physically writing helps to burn things into your memory. Break out the old fashion paper and pen – you’ll be more likely to remember everything you need to do.

To do lists

My life is one big to do list. I have ‘write a to do list’ on my to do list (only partly kidding on this one). Lists are the best thing you can do for your busy self. Nothing feels better than crossing off something on that list. Just use them, I promise they help.

Use a schedule and stick to it

Going off your to do list is a schedule. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I write down minute by minute what I need to do each day. It helps to see what you’re doing at each point in your day and then plan the rest of your day around it. It’s okay if your day strays from this schedule – life is fluid, meaning it will change and you must roll with the punches.

Say no

This is possibly the hardest thing to do. I have a very big fear of missing out, which normally means I put off the important things, like studying, in order to do fun things. However, the piles of homework and laundry do eventually catch up to you. It is your time and you need to manage it, saying no is liberating and keeps you in control.

Use breaks to be productive

College life is known for long breaks between classes and endless amounts of free time. Instead of taking that holy 20 minute nap between classes, use those 20 minutes to your advantage. Knock out that dreaded reading now, and you’ll have more time later in the day for more fun activities, like binge watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix. Getting homework done during the day helps me to feel less stressed when 8 o’clock rolls around and all I want to do is watch the newest episode of Scandal.

Go to bed

I refuse to stay up all night for any reason at all. I would rather fail than give up a night of sleep. Using your time during the day to your advantage will help keep you from having to stay up all night. Stop putting things off and get them done earlier so you can sleep like a normal human.

Time management is a life skill and the faster you learn it, the faster life will become easier. As college students, everyone knows we live the easy life (jokes) so why not make it a little bit easier?