You have your study time, your party time, your sit through a boring lecture time, your family time, your extra-curricular time, and your work to pay off that expensive sports car you can’t actually afford time. With all these “times”, it seems as if 24 hours just isn’t enough to squeeze it all in, and you start to think, maybe something’s gotta give. But college is more than just learning in the classroom; it is learning to balance a schedule, responsibilities and priorities. After all, there is more to the “real world” than just going to work. As collegiettes, we want to experience the most, and with the right time management you may discover you really can have your cake and eat it too. Here is how:
Write it down.
You know that really expensive $50 Life Planner you bought yourself at the beginning of the semester? Use it. Physically writing down the tasks that need to be done will prevent you from forgetting to do them later on. Planners can also be used to write down ideas. For example, if you have a paper to write and you randomly think of a good point to add to it, write it in your planner. This way you can reference your notes and won’t have to count on your memory. Don’t have a planner? Student Government gives away free FIU academic agendas with calendars and information at the “Ask Me” tables during the first two days of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters.
Focus.
Admit it, you’re guilty of snap chatting while studying, or tweeting in class. This is not the way to get things done quickly. When you do something, give it your all. In your planner, you should be designating times to work on each task. When you are working on a task, dedicate yourself to it 100%; this way, you finish faster and have time to move on to the next one. Stopping in between studying or homework to read a text will only make the process go slower. Also, with these distractions, you are less likely to comprehend what you are doing because you are not fully focused on the task at hand. Turn off your phone and disconnect yourself from anything that isn’t the task at hand.
Be positive.
The way you approach a situation will have a huge impact on its outcome. Start a task with a positive mindset. Self-motivation is an encouraging way to push through a task, whether it is a pleasant one or not. If you believe you can get it done, you can. Positive thinking also reduces stress, which allows you to work more efficiently.
There are also resources on campus prepared to help you do it all. FIU’s Counseling and Psychology Service Center sponsors a series of workshop during the year to enhance students’ personal and academic skills, including time management. If you can manage your time correctly, there are no limits to the things you can do.