This article is designed to prepare students for college, so that they know how to manage their time wisely. It can be challenging for college freshmen to figure out how to schedule their days so that they can complete assignments without burning out quickly from all the pressure and responsibilities placed on them. By letting them know how they can prepare, they will be more successful and prepared for entering the work force.
A lot of students believe that college is their chance to get some freedom away from their parents, however, this line of thinking is the quickest road to failure in your first year of college. You're going to have to take responsibility into your own hands, as there isn't going to be anyone over your shoulder, telling you what to do and making sure you're finishing your assignments. After all, you don't get the chance for a do-over if your GPA is unacceptable after your first year, and you can easily find yourself in academic probation.
Instead, consider these tips to managing your time wisely so that you're not wasting the time nor the money that could be put to good use.
1. Get a large calendar for yourself that you can pin to your wall. That way, you can write down the date of any assignments and projects that are due, so that you can keep yourself organized and get them done in time.
2. Write down any information you get in one place. Get a notebook strictly for this purpose so that you can keep yourself on track. Create a schedule so that you have certain days to do your laundry, when to make phone calls, write essays or even buying groceries. You need to budget your time wisely so that you can have time set aside to relax when you're not completing homework and papers.
3. Give yourself some time to relax. Nothing burns a college student out faster than not finding the time to sit back and do the things he enjoys. It gives your brain a chance to stop and take a break. Overburdening yourself can diminish the quality of the work you produce, so always give yourself some room to breathe between chores and assignments.
4. Always be willing to try something new. If your calendar system isn't working for you, program your phone to give you daily reminders. If you have too many things written down, try color-coding to make it easier for you to remember. Being flexible and finding out what works for you is key to keeping abreast of your assignments and managing your time wisely.
5. Don't pull your hair out when things suddenly change for the worst. You have to prepare to be flexible so that you can adjust to whatever changes may occur. Knowing how to deal with problems as they arise is a great skill to develop, and will prepare you for life after college. Nothing is ever going to go exactly the way you want it to, so be prepared to alter your schedule accordingly.
6. You do better the more you plan ahead. If you have a particularly large project due, work forward in time to determine how much time it's going to take to get that project finished. Determine how much time it's going to take to do all of the research and how long it's going to take to write it. This way, you can figure out how much work you can do each day, and break all of the work down into smaller chunks.
7. Don't forget to reward yourself on occasion. Not only does it lighten your mood to know that you've accomplished something, but it also programs your brain to strive towards completing your assignments if it knows that there's a reward at the end of all your hard work. It could be something as small as your favorite meal, going to a movie, or playing a video game for a few hours.
Keeping on schedule is key, or you could end up wasting a lot of hours, trying to figure out how you're going to get it all done. Stay focused and stay prepared, and you can have both great grades and time for fun during your college years.
About the Author
Steve Davids. “I am big on traveling and exploring. If I could describe myself in one word, the word would be “explorer.” I truly enjoy making new social connections, and I think we all have something to teach others. I think I am a good listener, and I love putting the things I hear or experience in my essays.”
