Time Management Tips for College Students

Are you struggling to stay on top of your college coursework? Well, you aren’t the only one. College students across the U.S. have a hard time juggling all their projects and assignments alone. Add in part-time jobs and internships, and you can easily find yourself left with no time to rest, relax, or have fun.

That’s why time management skills are essential for college life. Without good time management and organizational skills, it will be hard for you to have a happy and healthy college experience.

Here are our best time management tips for busy college students.

Try to Block Your Courses

Group your courses as much as possible. Having them back to back, with only small breaks in between, is better than having large blocks of free time in between. Blocking your courses leaves you with longer, uninterrupted time in the afternoon to evening for assignments or your part-time job. It’s great if you use long breaks in between classes to study or catch up on sleep. More often than not though, students end up wasting this time.

Make Use of Technology

Using your technology to your advantage is one of the best tips for time management in college. Although phones (and the internet) can test your self-discipline, they can also help you focus on your tasks and stay on top of your lectures. From taking down notes in class and staying organized to keeping track of your deadlines, all of these are possible with your phone. It’s also possible to use apps and extensions to block yourself from accessing time-wasting apps during your designated study periods.

Identify and Avoid Distractions

When it comes to the best time management tips for college students, you can’t leave out avoiding distractions. It’s important to recognize your time wasters — things and activities that pull your attention away from studying and productive work. Once you identify your distractions, keep them far away when you start studying.

Determine Your Most Productive Times

Are you an early bird or a night owl? Some people are more productive in the morning while others work better in the evening. Determine which times work best for you and build your schedule around that time. Regardless of whether you carve out your studying time late in the evening or early in the morning, make sure to give yourself enough time to sleep.

Get Sufficient Sleep and Exercise

Getting enough sleep and exercise is essential to help maintain your energy levels. Even if you have enough time to work on your assignments, it will be for nothing if you don’t have the energy to stay engaged and productive. It’s also important to take breaks and let your mind rest. Overloading your brain with information can backfire, leaving you overwhelmed, stressed, and without any motivation to continue working.

Do More with Your Time

Time management skills are formed through effort and experience. Consistently using these tips for managing time in college will help you get better grades and prepare you for the real world. Time might be a limited resource, but it’s one you have control over. If you manage your time wisely, you can have great grades, enjoy your college experience, and be prepared for more responsibilities in the future.