Time Management Tips for Students

College students face unique challenges when it comes to balancing their studies, work, and personal obligations. Here we offer some tips and tricks to help these students better manage their time when there are competing priorities. Managing Study Time as a College Student

Fortunately, there are several simple tips that you can implement into your study schedule to make your educational journey smoother and easier to manage.

Set a Schedule

Keeping organized is the single best way to make sure that you are staying on track. Make sure that you always know what assignments need to be completed by what time so that you don't miss any deadlines. Of course, as an adult student, setting a schedule can be easier said than done but it's still important to try.

In addition to keeping track of academic deadlines, make sure that you know what else you will need to do on a given day for work or other obligations. Scheduling your time carefully takes practice, but it can be a big help in getting everything done and preventing you from getting overwhelmed.

Eat, Sleep, and Be Healthy

As a busy student, it can be tempting to stay up late to finish assignments, skip meals, and generally work yourself into the ground to get everything done. While that kind of schedule might work in the very short term, it can have serious consequences in the long term. Make sure that you eat full, healthy meals regularly so that your brain and body have enough energy to function.

Sleep is majorly important, too. Adults typically need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, so be strict and don't stay up. The consequences of sleep deprivation, especially over time, can be severe and can even impact your life expectancy. Make sure to prioritize your health while you learn.

Practice Flexibility

It might be challenging for you to set aside large blocks of time for studying, or if you do set aside those times, they may be interrupted. That's where flexibility comes in. Try to get used to studying in short bursts around other activities when you are low on time. Even ten minutes of work while you wait for the bus can make a difference.

You may also want to build in extra time for completing assignments to allow for any sudden changes that may arise. If you have family obligations or young children to take care of, being flexible with your study schedule can be particularly important.

Know Your Boundaries

It may be tempting to agree to take on other responsibilities as they arise, particularly if you are the kind of person who likes to be heavily involved in what is happening around you. However, if you are completing a degree, you will have less free time.

Know your boundaries and when to say no to optional obligations. Organizing a bake sale or taking on overtime hours may be things that you want to agree to, but you will need to keep your education in mind.

On the flip side, you need to know your boundaries when it comes to school, too. Be careful about taking on extra credit assignments and optional readings if you are particularly busy with other obligations.

Take Time Off

Constant work is simply not sustainable for anyone. That means that while it may seem counterintuitive, one of the best things you can do for your future productivity is to take time off when you need it.

Sometimes, this time off from school will allow you to tend to other obligations. Other times, you will need time to relax and recharge. Even if you set aside one evening a week, try to prioritize your own wellbeing so that you can return to your work refreshed and ready.

Communicate Your Needs

Your family members need to know what they can and cannot ask of you, especially when you are working to complete a degree. Make sure that you communicate your needs and boundaries clearly to family and update them as needed. Having open lines of communication can reduce frustration for everyone

Similarly, you need to communicate your needs to your professors and academic advisors. If things come up in your work or personal life and you need an extension on an assignment, ask for one. Professors are often sympathetic to their students' life experiences and needs, and you are much better off asking for extensions than completing subpar work because you were too busy to give your schoolwork the attention it deserved.

Celebrate Your Accomplishments

Completing a degree is hard work and your accomplishments should be celebrated. If you have completed a particularly difficult assignment, made it through midterm season, or completed a semester, take the time to reward yourself for your good work. Tell the important people in your life about what you have accomplished and be proud of what you have learned. Rewarding yourself and acknowledging your success can also help create a positive feedback loop that makes learning more rewarding in the future.