Effective Time Management for College Students
You have just started college, and are very excited with your new surroundings. You are getting use to your classes, as well as your new living arrangement. Gone are the days when you had a structured school day. You have classes intermittently throughout the day, and you have met new friends to go out with at night. So, with all of the things on your calendar, you are in need of some effective time management.
Effective Time Management: Putting Classes First
It might be hard to realize for some, but college is not just about the social scene. After all, it is about learning new things and getting a degree, so that you can go out and get a good job! Unfortunately, as a college freshman you will see many different people leave, partly because they have not got effective time management skills.
So, how can you succeed in both your classes, and in the social scene? Effective time management starts with evaluating your priorities. It is important to note that while you might value your social calendar more than your academic calendar, it is your academic calendar that should always take the first priority.
Effective time management comes with being organized. Many college courses rely on handouts, so you should get a large folder, with pockets for each class. Get a planner, and take note of any and all homework assignments. It goes without saying that you should make a note of whenever you have an exam.
When it comes to implementing effective time management skills, it also has a lot to do with planning ahead and creating a balance between what needs to be done, and what you would like to do. For example, if there's a party on Friday night, and you have an exam bright and early the following Monday, you can still go to the party. Just make sure that you spend a good amount of the weekend studying.
Another thing that you can do is, on a Sunday, make a list of all the things that you know you will have to do during the coming week. Then, make sure that you have time for social events, and of course time to just generally relax. You will generally get into a schedule, which is very good for managing time.
It should be noted that sometimes you will have to forgo some fun events in favor of your studies. However, the sense of accomplishment you will feel when you get that degree after four years of hard work will certainly make it all worth it.
