Time Management - College Edition

Navigating college comes with many new challenges. Among them is learning to manage time effectively in the face of an abundance of academic responsibilities, extracurricular activities and social opportunities. As responsibilities increase, students also face less rigid schedules compared to high school, and longer-term deadlines with bigger projects due at once. Here are 6 tips and tricks to thrive:  

1. Remember the Big Picture

College students are frequently overcommitted, running between activities in a packed schedule – recreational football morning practice to class to lunch with a friend to class to debate – the list goes on! If you’re feeling burned out, highly stressed, or don’t feel able to meet important deadlines, it can be worth re-evaluating your commitments. Regardless, a schedule “spring cleaning” is worth doing every few months! 

Part of managing time is identifying your goals for university at a high level. What do you hope to get out of your college experience, and how well does the way you spend your time match up to your hopes? For example, you may have started the year with four extracurricular activities, but if you’re finding your career interests have changed and two are most relevant, perhaps you can focus on those. 

2. Get Organized 

Getting organized is a key step for time management. Meeting deadlines is difficult if you don’t know when they are! Consider using a calendar or agenda tool to track class deadlines and other commitments. 

You can also use your schedule to block out times for specific tasks. For example, if you know you have a test coming up in three weeks, you can start blocking out one-hour periods of time to study! 

3. Break things Down 

College assignments can feel overwhelming, from long papers to difficult tests. But by breaking down big projects into manageable chunks, you can make them more approachable and make it easier to make progress over time. Small chunks are easier to fit into your life, and can feel more achievable. 

4. Get Started, Even in a Small Way

Getting started is often the biggest blocker standing in between us and getting tasks done. If you start a task – even in a small way, like opening a document and writing a title – you’re much more likely to get it done. Tricking our brains in small ways like this can provide motivation. 

5. Avoid Procrastination: Eat the Frog! 

The “Eat the Frog” technique – tackling the hardest item on your to-do list first – can be a useful strategy for making progress and avoiding procrastination. By accomplishing the biggest item first, the rest will feel easy in comparison. 

6. Leverage Technology 

Technology is often a barrier to our success and time management (thank you, doom scrolling!). But technology can also be helpful. Consider using calendar apps, task management apps, and even digital wellness apps that can help you stay away from your phone and focus for high-concentration periods of work.  

But also remember that there are people in your university whose whole job it is to help students thrive! You can always find your college's equivalent of a study skills center and book in an appointment.

By implementing these tips and tricks to better manage your time, you can thrive in college and make sure that your schedule is aligned with your goals, that you’re meeting deadlines, and that you’re motivated. This skill is not only important in college. It will also take you far in your internships and career! 

Sign up for a College Mentorship Session with one of our experts here at Hermiona (when you find the time!)