College can be an extremely busy time, especially if you are balancing school with a career, a family or other commitments. A recent survey found that the average college student spends 17 hours each week preparing for classes. That’s a significant time commitment, and without strong planning and time management skills, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
The good news is that there are some helpful tools and strategies you can use to stay on top of your work and develop better time management skills in the process.
Follow these tips to get back on track with managing your college workload:
1.) Start your work early
If you’re a habitual procrastinator, it’s time to rethink your approach. Leaving assignments until last minute inevitably creates more stress and does not give you enough time to do your best work. Worse, you could forget about an assignment altogether and miss a deadline. It’s best to start important projects as early as possible and make a game plan for how you are going to complete the assignment before the due date. This way, you don’t have to panic or pull an all-nighter before it’s due and you have time to get extra help if you need it.
2.) Make to-do lists
Making a daily to-do list can help you keep track of your assignments and your other commitments. Studies have shown that writing something down helps you remember it better, so the next time you have a whole list of things to do scattered in your brain, relieve some stress by putting them down on paper. Your to-do list can include tasks as simple as remembering to check your email, exam deadlines and homework reminders. Whatever you think you will forget, be sure to include.
3.) Use a digital planner
There are many time management apps that can help you organize your to-do list. The app myHomework is a digital planner created specifically for students. It eliminates the need for a notepad with a million to-dos and instead syncs your assignments and reminders right to your phone. The app can also be programmed to send you alerts when you have something due soon, so there is no chance that you will forget.
Evernote is a note-taking app that can store all your notes and to-do lists in one place. Something unique about this program is that notes can be uploaded in any format, whether audio, video, web clips, or PDFs. The app also allows you to collaborate with others, which can be helpful for group projects.
4.) Prioritize what needs to be done first
Prioritizing is a critical part of making your to-do list. Consider which assignments are most urgent and make sure to complete those first. Tasks that are less urgent, such as going to the dry cleaner, can likely be tackled later when you have more time. Prioritizing your to-do list can help you improve your time management skills and ensure that you don’t put too much time and effort into something that may not be due for another month.
5.) School comes first
When things get chaotic (because at some point in the year, they probably will), remind yourself that your schoolwork comes before other activities. Pushing off your assignments to hang out with friends or pick up an extra shift at work will just make it harder to get everything done on time. Starting your assignments early can benefit you in this area and make it easier to stay on track in all aspects of your life.
6.) Pick one day per week to organize
Choose one day per week as your “organization day” where you can catch up on schoolwork and prioritize the week ahead. If it works for your schedule, Sunday is a great day to do this because it’s before the start of the regular work week. It doesn’t necessarily have be the whole day either; taking just one hour to sit down and acknowledge what you have going on for the upcoming week can be helpful. This way, you will have no confusion about what your priorities are for each day.
7.) Find a study buddy
Making a friend in your classes can be extremely helpful in getting your work done. You essentially have a guaranteed study buddy and you can hold each other accountable for getting your work done on time. It also makes preparing for projects and exams much easier because you have someone with which to collaborate, share ideas and ask questions. Forming a study group is another way to reduce procrastination and better prepare for your exams.
8.) Take breaks
The final and most important tip is to make sure you fit in some time to relax among all the hustle and bustle of college. Taking short breaks between assignments can be a great way to avoid burnout. You never want to compromise your own wellbeing just to get an assignment done. If you are feeling stressed out, take short break and come back with a fresh outlook. Chances are, the final product you develop will be much stronger.
Balancing college with the other aspects of your life can be a challenge, but a few positive lifestyle changes can make your busy schedule seem much more manageable. Try to start your work ahead of time or incorporate a new tool like myHomework or Evernote into your life to stay organized. By implementing these tips now, you’ll already be on track to a more productive year!
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* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
As an education and productivity enthusiast with a deep understanding of effective time management strategies, I'd like to share my expertise on the concepts mentioned in the article about managing the college workload. My insights are based on practical experience and a thorough understanding of the principles involved.
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Starting Early: The article emphasizes the importance of initiating assignments early to alleviate stress and ensure the delivery of high-quality work. This concept aligns with the well-established principle of time management, where early initiation allows for better planning, problem-solving, and the avoidance of last-minute rushes.
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To-Do Lists: The recommendation to create daily to-do lists is supported by cognitive psychology studies, which suggest that writing down tasks enhances memory and helps in task prioritization. To-do lists are a fundamental tool for organizing thoughts and tracking progress, contributing significantly to effective time management.
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Digital Planners: The mention of digital planners like myHomework and Evernote showcases the integration of technology into time management. Utilizing specialized apps for students demonstrates an understanding of the evolving digital landscape and how technology can enhance organization, collaboration, and timely task completion.
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Prioritization: Prioritizing tasks based on urgency aligns with the Eisenhower Matrix, a popular time management tool. This concept encourages individuals to distinguish between what is urgent and what is important, ensuring that critical tasks are addressed first to avoid last-minute panic.
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School Comes First: This principle underscores the importance of prioritizing academic responsibilities over social and work-related commitments. It resonates with the overarching philosophy of effective time management, emphasizing the need to allocate time to high-priority tasks before engaging in less critical activities.
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Organizational Day: Designating a specific day for organization reflects an understanding of the need for regular review and planning. This resonates with the principle of proactive time management, where taking dedicated time to organize and plan contributes to better overall efficiency.
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Study Buddies and Groups: The recommendation to find a study buddy or form study groups aligns with collaborative learning theories. Working with peers not only enhances understanding through shared perspectives but also introduces an element of accountability, promoting timely completion of tasks and better preparation for exams.
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Taking Breaks: The emphasis on taking breaks aligns with research on productivity and well-being. Regular breaks have been shown to enhance concentration, creativity, and overall mental well-being. This principle acknowledges the importance of balancing work with self-care.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights and actionable tips rooted in proven time management principles. By incorporating these strategies, students can navigate the demands of college life more effectively, fostering a productive and balanced academic experience.
