7 Expert Time Management Tips for Students

by Tip Hero JT Ripton

As a college student, it can be tough to manage your time effectively. It’s tempting to skimp on your coursework when there are so many other interesting and fun things to do. Fortunately, just a few simple changes to your routine can help you get your school work done efficiently.

Pay Attention to Course Calendars

When a professor hands you the schedule for the class at the beginning of the semester, don’t just file it away. Make sure you note all quizzes, tests, and assignment due dates in your calendar at the start of the semester.

Since you don’t want these critical dates to sneak up on you, you may also want to consider scheduling reminders for upcoming tests or assignments. For example, you could add a reminder to your calendar a week or two before a paper is due to get a jumpstart on the assignment.

Plan Your Time in Advance

At the beginning of each week, it’s helpful to lay out a rough outline of what you need to accomplish. Set aside certain times to complete the assignments or studying you need to get done. This step helps to ensure that you use your time effectively throughout the week. For example, if you have a test and a paper due on Friday, you might want to get the paper done earlier in the week, so you have time to study closer to the test date. Planning to get something done each day helps prevent you from falling behind on your coursework.

Break Up Large Tasks

Read 200 pages. Write a 12-page paper. Study for a comprehensive exam. If these to-do list items look familiar, it’s time to start breaking up large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks. Instead of making you feel overwhelmed, smaller tasks are much more approachable. Plus, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment as you complete each step, motivating you to continue checking items off your to-do list.

Shut Out Distractions

College life is full of potential distractions, so it’s important to find a way to keep yourself focused. Find a space where you can truly concentrate, like the library or a cozy spot on campus. Use noise-cancelling headphones to block out sound, and remove yourself from temptations like TV, video games, and social media. Typically, students who can shut out distractions get their work done faster, leaving more time for relaxation and fun.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

Your smartphone can actually be a wonderful time management tool. There are a number of helpful apps that include calendar and to-do list functions to keep you on track. You can install these apps on your iPhone 6 Plus or other smartphone on a reliable network to have instant access to your schedule. You can also set reminders for these tasks to help keep you on track.

Schedule Breaks

Let’s say you have a big paper due tomorrow. You’ll need to work hard on it all night in order to get it done in time. But it’s unrealistic to think you can focus 100 percent of your attention on this assignment until it’s time to go to bed. Invariably, students who plan to cram for a test or hunker down to write a paper end up distracted or burnt out.

For a more realistic approach, schedule breaks into your plans to study, write, read, or complete other homework assignments. Take that time to call a friend, listen to music, or take a walk. You’ll give your mind the time to rest and refocus before going back at it.

Prioritize Sleep

College students are known for either sleeping all day or pulling all-nighters. Neither is good for your health or your academic success. In order to manage your time effectively, you need to keep a fairly regular sleep schedule. Sleep deprivation can keep you from thinking clearly, which will only slow you down as you tackle your to-do list.

Put these tips into practice to help stay on top of your college coursework. Once you get into a rhythm with these strategies, you’ll find that your workload will be much less overwhelming, leaving you more time to enjoy the other aspects of college life.