We all know that there are approximately 24 hours in a day, but the day of a typical college student always seems to be cut a little shorter.
Have you ever sat down ready to do homework and ended up chatting with a friend on Facebook only to discover it’s already time for dinner? If this is a daily occurrence for you, you are not alone. Time management is something college students struggle with on a day-to-day basis.
Sleep
Making sure you get enough sleep is an important part of being able to stay on task. It is impossible to get everything done on your to-do list if you are drifting off throughout the day.
Sleep deprivation can make even the sweetest person turn into a grouch. Getting enough sleep at night puts you in an overall better mood. Most importantly, do not forget to set your alarm clock.
Have a Plan
Day planners are a great way to stay organized and they can be a necessity for every college student. Having your weekly or monthly schedule right in front of you makes it much easier to remain on top of everything you have to get done. A day planner helps for remembering what day your test is on, or when your coffee study date is.
Priorities are key
Setting priorities is an important step in managing your time wisely. In times of stress and frustration it may seem that going to the movies with one of your friends
is more important than studying for finals, but in reality it is not the best choice.
Figuring out your priorities means being brutally honest with yourself. Go back to your day planner and see everything you have to do that week. Figure out which event is the most important, and be realistic. That does not mean cutting out fun entirely, but it does mean that you should get a majority of your work done first. When you get your good grades back you’ll be thankful that you studied.
Eat Smart
Think of your body as a car. A car needs fuel and your body’s fuel is food. Food, if used properly, can give you the right amount of energy to stay focused and alert throughout the day. This will allow you to think clearly, and make the best decisions. The best meal plan to stick to is six small meals a day. It is also important to have a balanced diet by eating from all five of the food groups.
Know when you need a break
Once you have gotten all of your work done it is time to breath and blow off some steam. It’s important to reward yourself. You will get burnt out after the first week of school if you only spend it studying and don’t ever give yourself a little break. It is a lot more effective to study hard, then take a break and then return to your work. You’ll retain more information, and be more confident in the fact that you re- membered what you studied.
Time management is something we are not all born with, but something that needs to be taught. Follow these easy steps, and it will become easier to not lose track of your time.
