As I reflect on my time in college, a significant difference I noticed from high school was the lack of structure in college classes. As an unprepared freshman, I quickly realized that most of the responsibility that came with classes lay within us students. With more professors adopting asynchronous and attendance-optional courses, college students are becoming more responsible for establishing a system to manage everyday obligations. Here’s the approach I have developed to managing time on as a college student.

The first thing anyone will tell you about time management is to use Google Calendar or another similar application. Here’s how I made it work for me:

• Begin by blocking out time for classes, tasks, homework, or anything remotely important. This helps in visualizing your day and ensuring you are aware of every responsibility – no surprises. Personally, my college registrar has a feature that lets me export my classes to Google Calendar which was an excellent first step in organizing my schedule.
• Keep track of tasks and events by color-coding them based on categories, involvements, or urgency. For instance, I use different colors for classes, extracurricular activities, work, and personal time. This visual differentiation makes it easier to see what my day looks like.
• Don’t beat yourself up too much if you miss a task. Instead, adjusting your schedule by moving the task forward helps in keeping track of its completion. This dynamic approach ensures that no task is forgotten and that you remain flexible in your planning.
• If you find it motivating to create tasks and check them off upon completion, Google also has an app for that. Google Tasks integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar, allowing you to manage your to-do list efficiently.

Beyond digital tools, establishing a routine was crucial. Here are things that I found to create a productive, sustainable routine:

• This is something I struggle with a lot, but I always aim to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. This helped ensure I was well-rested for my classes and had the energy to get work done.
• I developed morning rituals to start off my day. Last semester, I started waking up in the early morning despite my first classes starting at 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM so I had time to go to the gym. As a result, each morning I had a boost of energy to support my day and was able to accomplish the first bullet point easier.

My final takeaway from the last three years is balancing academics, social life, and personal well-being. As a freshman, I did not prioritize myself as I often sacrificed sleep and missed meals as work and responsibilities added up. This is something I grew to combat as I began incorporating regular breaks into lengthy hours of work, tracked tasks through Google Calendar, and dedicated time to work on my health. Using techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, I took short breaks after focused study periods to rest and recharge. The result was a much more productive work session and better overall well-being. I also made time for activities like extracurriculars and seeing friends. This not only helped me unwind but also improved my mental state.

Transitioning from high school to college taught me the importance of effective time management. Through these practices, I was able to manage my responsibilities and make the most of my college experience. Time management is an ongoing process, and being adaptable and open to refining your approach is the key to success.

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