Time Management Hacks for College Students

Acquiring an academic degree is not part of a student’s educational journey. Among many other things, students need to master time management skills. It takes time to master juggling academic workload, personal life, and hobbies.

Naturally, a student might want to seek external help. They may search for essay pro promo code or similar sources to choose a fitting service. Yet, there are more ways to manage time.

Well-developed time-management strategies will serve you well beyond education. With a set of rules and hacks on how to deal with important tasks, you will have more free time. As a result, this freedom will give you the necessary drive to achieve your aspirations.

Let’s overview time management hacks that will aid you in dealing with anything.

Assess Your Time Management Skills

Any conscious progress starts with critical self-evaluation. You need to know which areas of your time management skills need refinement.

Start with tracking your daily routines and habits. Just write down how much time you spend on something productive and how much you rest and procrastinate. This approach will help you identify your strong and weak sides.

Point out moments when you excel in following your schedule and when you fail. These points will be your anchors for developing new plans. Finally, set clear goals like these:

Academic performance improvement;
Learning a new hobby;
More time for socializing;
Fitting a part-time job into the schedule.

This assessment will serve as critical data for your best schedule. As Peter Turla said, “A plan is what, a schedule is when. It takes both a plan and a schedule to get things done.”

Prioritize Your Tasks

Often, students feel overwhelmed by the amount of work they need to do. Task prioritization allows you to do more in less time. One of the simplest ways for prioritization is a to-do list.

Make a plan for a day or a week and process the tasks individually. We fear big, complex tasks. Yet, breaking them into more minor points of a to-do list is a much more straightforward approach.

If you need more precise characterization, the Eisenhower Matrix is a lifesaver. This matrix divided activities according to urgency and importance. Dealing with urgent and important tasks first helps you free time for other meaningful activities.

Prioritization is an excellent way to save time and energy. With the right priorities, you will deal with high-impact activities efficiently.

Take your time with high-priority tasks. The idea is to distribute your time and energy, not beat the world’s productivity records. Incorporate prioritization into your schedule gradually at a comfortable pace. When you adjust to the new rhythm, you can tackle vital tasks.

Make Your Goals Smart

Setting a SMART goal is pivotal for productive time management. But what does it mean? SMART stands for:

Specific;
Measurable;
Achievable;
Relevant;
Time-bound.

These are critical characteristics of an actionable goal.

You can apply SMART parameters to both academic and personal goals. Such an approach will keep your intentions clear, allowing you to track your progress. Trackable and actionable goals serve as a practical roadmap.

SMART goals contribute to efficient time management, as you understand what needs to be achieved and when.

Create a Weekly Schedule

Once you have mastered to-do lists for the day, you can approach weekly schedules. The core principle is similar ‒ to distribute significant activities throughout the week. Your weekly schedule should include the following:

Time for classes;
Dedicated time for self-study sessions;
Extracurricular activities;
Personal life;
Sufficient rest time;
A gap for unexpected changes.

College life can become hectic and unpredictable. Therefore, it’s wise to have some free time that can be allocated for something unforeseen.

Combat Procrastination

Procrastination is a familiar companion in students’ academic journeys. Yet, you need to resolve it efficiently. Causes of procrastination include the following:

Perfectionism;
Lack of motivation;
Feeling overwhelmed.

Time management techniques above can help you deal with procrastination. Besides, try to apply a two-minute rule. The rule implies that if you can do something within two minutes ‒ do it immediately, without delay. Break your tasks into two-minute segments and start to tackle them one by one.

Review and Adjust

It is impossible to create a universal schedule that will cover every need. There are different factors, such as:

Family meetings;
Seasonal holidays;
Exam periods and preparations;
Community celebrations, etc.

Each of these potential events will influence your schedule. Therefore, you need to review and adjust your plan regularly. Feel free to ask for help from your peers and mentors to accommodate your weekly schedule.

Bottom Line

Time management is a vital skill for students to master. A few hacks can help improve it drastically. Initial evaluation of time management habits is the first step. Prioritization and SMART goals will only contribute to mastering time management.

Finally, a flexible weekly schedule will help you maintain a productive routine.

FAQ

What if I’m overwhelmed with coursework and extracurricular activities? How can time management help?

Time management can help you allocate your time wisely. Prioritize essential tasks, use techniques like time blocking, and learn to say no when necessary. It will ensure you can balance your academic and extracurricular commitments effectively.

How can I handle unexpected disruptions to my schedule?

Flexibility is key. Leave some buffer time in your schedule for unforeseen events. Adjust your plan and use time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to regain focus and productivity when disruptions occur.

How can I maintain my motivation to stick to my time management plan?

Motivation can wane, but setting achievable goals and periodically reviewing your progress can help reignite your drive. Celebrate small victories, and remember the long-term benefits of effective time management in achieving your academic and personal goals.

Works Cited

“10 Best Time Management Tips for Students.” University of the People, 22 Oct. 2018.
“25 Time Management Activities for College Students.” Time Hack Hero, 29 May 2023. Accessed 3 Sept. 2023.
Parsons, Lian. “8 Time Management Tips for Students.” Harvard Summer School, 14 Oct. 2022.
“Time Management Hacks for Students.” Florida National University, 4 Mar. 2021. Accessed 3 Sept. 2023.
Wadsworth, William. “The Top 12 Time Management Hacks & Tips for Students.” Exam Study Expert, 31 May 2022. Accessed 3 Sept. 2023.