The most important skill to learn in college is arguably successful time management. Many freshmen find themselves on their own for the first time in their life when they go to college, and besides having to take care of their own mental, emotional and physical health, most students find that without a parent constantly looking over their shoulder asking if their homework is finished, it’s more challenging to fit every desired activity into a manageable schedule.
While it may be easier at the beginning of a new semester to be organized, the overwhelming experience of being away from one’s parents and loaded down with responsibilities (part-time job, classes, social life and so on) tends to wear away a student’s motivation to remain organized throughout the semester.
So what are some good ways to become and stay organized? The following few tips may vary depending on a student’s desired ratio between social life, class assignments and other extracurricular activities:
1. Construct a weekly schedule.
Before the semester begins, buy a daily planner. As you receive syllabi from professors, fill in class times, assignment due dates and extra credit opportunities. Next, add in your part-time job or internship, if you have one. Last, add in your social calendar. If you set up your planner early in the semester and keep it updated as the semester progresses, you are much more likely to stay organized and not miss assignment due dates.
2. Plan enough time for homework.
One of the most common mistakes that new college students make is underestimating the time it will take each week to complete class assignments. Sometimes, professors will give up to a hundred pages of reading in a single class. Other times, professors may encourage out-of-class learning, such as watching a movie to go along with the coursework or doing further research on a main concept. Be prepared to spend 4-8 hours a week doing course work for just one class (this estimate does not include the hours you physically spend in class).
3. Limit your social life.
Many new students find themselves bogged down by the many friendships they make during their first few weeks. Know, however, that it is not feasible to have more than a handful of close friends at a time. While you can spend as much time with your friends as you want, a good rule is not to spend more time hanging out with friends than you do working on assignments. After all, you are at college in order to learn and get your degree.
4. Do not join every club that catches your attention.
Find one or two clubs or groups on campus that interest you, then stop searching! No one student can fit in every club that they may desire to be a part of. Some clubs can be huge time commitments. Remember, coursework comes first. For students who struggle to have a social life and spend too much time studying: get out there and make a few friends! You will be glad later that you had some fun in college.