As I entered my freshman year of college, I was super nervous about how I would fit everything I could want into my 24-hour days. I registered for challenging courses that I knew would require extensive studying and joined my school’s Division 1 cross country team. My time commitments were stacking up, but I wanted to join more clubs, socialize with friends and maybe even relax once in a while.
I know so many students feel that exact same way. There’s so much to do and so little time to get it all done. Ironically enough, having a schedule packed with commitments I need to keep has brought me more free time than I have experienced in a long time. We all have the same 24 hours, but finding the perfect balance to maximize happiness and minimize feeling overwhelmed can leave us more satisfied at the end of the day.
Everyone works best in their own way, and I’m still figuring out what makes me feel the best, too. In the meantime, though, I’d encourage you to try out what has been working well for me this semester, and see what you can incorporate into your own habits!
1. Get (and use) a planner.
Ah, the planner. It seems like every time-management list starts with this, but it’s for good reason. If you can’t visualize the hours of your day, how can you maximize them? Whether you choose an online or paper planner is completely up to you. A digital planner easily incorporates repeated events (like classes or regular meetings) and can be accessed on your phone. A paper planner is great for lists, checking off tasks (my favorite part!) and seeing a whole day, week or month at a glance.
2. Use small chunks of time.
Look through your planner. I’m sure there are little chunks of time that get lost between the gaps. Those minutes add up to hours, and with the right mindset, they can be the most efficient time you spend. If you have 20 minutes between classes, responding to emails or writing the next paragraph of your essay is a much better use of time than scrolling through Instagram. If you have an hour or two between commitments, set a goal of what you want to finish in that time and hit the books (or write that article or fit in a workout). Being on a tight schedule will keep you on track and make you less likely to procrastinate.
3. Set app limits.
Anyone else cringe a little whenever the screen time report pops up on Sunday morning? Multiply the average time you spend on your phone each day by seven, and you’ll get…well, probably a bigger number than you want. It can be disheartening to know how many hours disappear from our days into our phones, but there are ways to manage that.
After becoming frustrated with myself too many times, I set some limits on the apps that I waste the most time on. Setting time limits keeps me from instinctively opening a certain app during any free minute, and I end up enjoying the shorter time I do spend on the app even more. Another approach is to set limits on what time of day you can use certain apps. For example, setting all but the call and text apps to be locked at 11pm will keep you from binging Netflix at 3am, while locking social media until 10 am can keep you more focused if you study in the morning. And speaking of the mornings…
4. Capitalize on the mornings.
Everyone has a time when they feel the most productive in getting things done, and mine is the morning. Once it’s after midnight, I know that any work I do will a) not be my best work and b) take much longer than it should. By tackling my assignments that require the most critical thinking and attention in the mornings, I feel fresh and eager to knock them out.
I’m generally up early most days to train for cross country, so I definitely fall under the “early bird” category. Still, if you consider yourself a night owl, I’d highly recommend trying this out for a week or two. Just because you are accustomed to doing all of your work at night doesn’t mean that it is the best or only way to do it. Experiment with your time and sleep schedule, and you may find some hours that you never knew you were missing. Which brings me to my next helpful hint…
5. Get sleep.
Get some sleep! Sleep seems to be the first thing we sacrifice when we run out of time. Whether it’s staying up late to finish a paper or getting up early to workout before an 8 am lab, the valuable hours we spend resting and recharging are diminished as our lives get busy. Most of us struggle just to hit that minimum of eight hours a night. While limiting caffeine and screen time as well as keeping a regular sleep schedule can maximize your body’s sleep, sometimes the most important thing to do is to simply tell yourself to get to bed. If you can muster up the discipline to know when you need to hit the sack in order to function at your best the next day, then you can be sure to maximize the time you spend on classwork, at the gym and with friends.
6. Do what you love (say no).
The final step in maximizing your time is to put it to good use. We’re all at college to take classes, make friends, and grow as individuals. Some of us will pick up jobs, compete on a team, join a club or be a mentor for other students. If you find yourself dreading a certain activity you have on your schedule, think about what is doing for you and what you can gain from it. If it doesn’t bring you happiness or preparation for the future, then why put in the effort to fit it into your day? Do what you love and do what’s best for you; otherwise, know that it’s okay to say no and enjoy a break from the hustle.
I thrive on a packed schedule full of practices, classes and time spent with friends. I love the feeling of accomplishing something each day, and that motivates me to keep working hard. Still, I’d be foolish not to mention the importance of relaxing and caring for yourself. Whether that’s 30 minutes each day to read a book or a Friday night movie marathon with your roommates (or by yourself!), these little things will keep you recharged and grateful for your crazy college experience. And if these happy little moments don’t pop up spontaneously–well, that’s what the planner’s for.