If you sign up for a reasonable number of classes and extracurriculars and don’t have too many additional responsibilities, it should be fairly easy to avoid falling behind schedule at college. The key to staying on track is good time management. To ensure you’re never working on assignments at the last minute or missing out on social events because you need to stay home to study, here are a few steps you can take.
- Set Goals
You’ll be incentivized to manage your time better if you know you’re working toward goals that matter to you. Use the SMART framework to create goals that are clear and achievable and that bring you closer to your dreams. - Avoid Distractions
Tasks take much longer than they should if you’re constantly succumbing to distractions while studying. Stopping to check just a single notification on your phone may mean you lose your train of thought or end up spending far longer than you intended sending texts or looking at social media.
Make your study sessions distraction free by turning off alerts and putting your phone out of reach. Plus, don’t allow yourself to look at anything unrelated to what you’re studying on your laptop. Lastly, let your roommates know that you’re studying to ensure they won’t disturb you. - Take Breaks
Breaks are important because it’s impossible to maintain your attention for hours at a time. You’ll be more motivated to keep studying if you know a break is coming up soon. Figure out how long you’re able to focus before you need a break and commit to working for just this amount of time. Use your breaks for relaxing and healthy activities, such as stretching, eating a snack, or taking a short walk. - Use Time-Management Tools
All the above are easier when you use time-management tools. For instance, a to-do list will help you create small tasks that bring you closer to meeting your goals, whereas a Pomodoro timer is ideal for setting intervals to study interspersed with breaks. There are also features built into your devices that can help you manage your time, such as screen time limits for apps and focus modes. Lastly, every student needs a planner to create a weekly schedule and to keep track of important dates, such as when assignments are due and upcoming appointments. - Run for a Leadership Position in a Student Club
Time management is something you’ll need to continuously work on improving. One place to learn great time-management skills is in clubs, particularly if you hold a leadership or executive position. Such roles teach you how to stay organized, avoid procrastination, prioritize, delegate work, and more.
You’ll find it easier to manage your time well if you feel in control of your schedule. This means minimizing interruptions that push you off track. The first step toward achieving this is to move out of campus dorms and into student rentals. Peterborough students can find a new home at Severn Court. You’ll have your own fully-furnished room in a six-bedroom unit located just across the street from campus. Contact us now for an eight- or 12-month lease.
