It doesn’t matter if it’s your first year in college or your last, facing a new semester means facing a whole new set of demands and responsibilities — and, if you’re like a lot of college students, that can be pretty overwhelming. However, the good news is, you can take charge of your current workload by practicing smart and savvy time management in college coursework.
To change the tone of your current schoolwork, here are five specific ways to practice good time management skills in college:
- Create a Schedule. When you have a lot to do, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of a schedule. Plan your days and hours in order to fit in the tasks you need to accomplish. By mapping out your time, it’s much easier to keep accomplishing the tasks you need to do — but make sure to include some buffers to account for unexpected delays, too.
- Make Rest a Priority. Sure, it’s tempting to burn the midnight oil to finish a term paper or cram for a final, but when sleep isn’t a priority, it can catch up with you quickly. Try to remember that getting adequate sleep is vital for college productivity. Make it a habit to go to bed at a reasonable hour and get a solid night’s sleep as much as possible.
- Optimize Your Study Time. Study more efficiently by finding ways to get more done in less time. Learn to speed read, find a better note-taking system, etc.
- Learn How to Tune Out Distractions. When you’re trying to get work done, anything can be distracting — from that roommate who won’t stop talking to that Facebook tab you always have open when you’re online. Figure out what your biggest distractors are and eliminate them. Block the sites where you waste time, at least while you’re studying. Go to a quiet place to do work instead of trying to write or study in your dorm. If all else fails, put in earplugs in order to avoid distractions and focus on studying.
- Have Fun. Even though you want to be productive, keep in mind that all work and no play makes for a dull college student — and, maybe even a less productive one. Just as important as completing all your tasks is making time to unwind, both for your mind and your body. Find ways to de-stress and let loose on a regular basis in order to keep yourself from overdoing it and feeling overwhelmed.
When it comes to cutting through the clutter of life and getting work done, it’s all about proper planning and time management in college. Use the tips above to boost your college productivity this year.
Sources:
http://college.usatoday.com/2014/08/11/10-ways-to-be-more-productive-this-year/
http://lifehacker.com/top-10-ways-to-make-this-school-year-your-most-producti-1188607792
