Time management can be a common issue for any college student. And when you throw work, social commitments, and family into the mix, getting a handle on managing daily responsibilities effectively can become even more difficult.
The added stress of weekly assignments to complete and regular exams to study for can easily become overwhelming for any student, especially when there are other commitments to think about.
But, you’re not alone in your attempt to earn your degree while balancing a chaotic schedule. The research found that 40% of students aged 18-29, and 76% of 30-54-year-old students are working while at school.
Record Everything
When you’ve got everything recorded or written down, it’s easier to stay on track. Ask your lecturer if they don’t mind you recording them using your smartphone or an audio recording device during lectures; this can be easier to follow when revising later on, plus it gives you more time to focus during lectures without having to frantically take notes to keep up. And, make sure that you make a written note – not just a mental one – of any homework, you have due in, mock exams, or other important dates so that you are less likely to forget about them. It’s a good idea to set a reminder in your phone for the day before.
Download Useful Apps
Giving you access to thousands of apps and games that you could easily waste hours on, you might see your smartphone as more of a time-wasting tool than one for managing your time effectively. But with the right resources downloaded to it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. Your phone can easily become a good on-the-go scheduler and calendar; simply set reminders for important commitments in your calendar app. And, you can search the App Store or Google Play Store for useful apps; project management apps like Trello can be a great digital to-do list to help you stay on track, or try an app that blocks social media and games during study time.
Utilize Resources Available to You
As a student, there may be hundreds of resources available to you that you didn’t even know about. Ask around on campus and speak to your friends to see if they have any recommendations. For example, you can use sites to help with automatic referencing when writing essays and papers; all you need to do is enter the details of the book, article or website and the reference will be generated for you. Or, use a company like EssaysWriting for a professional, fast and reliable service for those times where you need a little extra help from a good essay writer.
Stick to a Routine
Getting into a solid routine can be tricky when you’re juggling school, work and everything else – so the key is finding one that works for you. Get a diary or a calendar – either online or offline – and write down dates and times of your lectures, work shifts, and other commitments. Then, work around these to find times that are suitable for revision, exam prep, paper writing and everything else. Don’t forget to schedule time to relax, too!
Getting on top of time management can be tricky for busy students. Keep these tips in mind and get back in control.
