You can find many resources providing tips to help resolve problems of college students when it comes to time management. But many of the articles providing tips don’t illustrate concrete examples of how students can better manage their time. Below are some tips and examples of how you can manage your time in college wisely.
* Don’t forgo sleep
It’s common for students to forgo sleep or get only a few hours of resting time so that they can do more studying or squeeze in a few more activities into their day. It’s easy to fall into the habit of cutting back on sleep to get more done. But what you have to realize is that sleep is vital for your health. When you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be functioning at your optimum level, making you less efficient in doing activities. Your brain will be able to retain more information and think more clearly when you get six to eight hours of sleep rather than just two to three hours.
* Learn how to multi-task effectively
Going to your doctor’s appointment? Bring your handouts and books along so you can read them while waiting. In case you have to travel somewhere and you can read while riding a vehicle, bring your notes along with you and study while you’re riding the bus. Going to the library to have your notes photocopied? Take advantage of the time you’re there by looking for possible references for a paper you have to write. By doing feasible activity combinations, you can make better use of your time. But be careful not to go over your limits, because doing so can leave you feeling stressed.
* Create a to-do list that’s non-negotiable
The tasks you write on your to-do list must be those that shouldn’t be put off to a later time. Sticking to a to-do list may be challenging for you because you may have to squeeze in sudden deadlines or study for exams that were announced at just a short notice. To manage your time better, you can create two to-do lists: a general one that includes even non-academic activities such as doing laundry and going shopping for groceries, and a non-negotiable one. Prioritize those tasks that need urgent attention. By doing this, you can just let yourself focus on one or two tasks without letting yourself get overwhelmed with the other tasks listed.
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