Time Management

Many college students have trouble in managing their time properly when they need to juggle between several different events.  For example, they need to manage the time for their dining options, study periods, social free time, and other time such as sleep.  Making a timetable for balancing out your time might seem easy and appealing to make and follow.  However, after a certain period of time (let's say...a week, a month, or even a few days), you might get bored with your timetable and go back messing up your time.  In the end, you will end of doing not-so-good in college.  So in this guide, you may learn a few tips on helping you managing your time in college!

1) Decide on which kind of schedule are you using.
While it may seem hard to follow your newly made schedule, maybe you should try other ways to actually follow it.  Different types of schedule may have different effects on you, so feel free to try them all and decide which works best for you.  Essentially, there are two main types of schedules that you can try.  First, it's the regular-time schedule.  This schedule records and marks your everyday routine such as your eating time, study time, homework time, and sleep time.  The second option is the non-regular schedule.  With this type, you could keep track of your other activities such as your social time (such as going to parties, nightclubs [for more information, check out the "Sex, Alcohol, and Drugs post"], eating out...etc.  With these activities listed in your non-regular schedule, you may have the privilege to restrict the time and keep control of your other free time.

2) The realization of procrastination.
Yes, yes, let's all admit it.  In some point of your life, you must have procrastinated on a certain assignment and scrambled to finish it in the last minute before you actually hand it in.  And I must admit it myself, I procrastinate all the time. And I know it's a bad habit.  So bad habits must be eradicated and start studying in a good way.  And cramming test materials is always not good for you, and I've learned that in the hard way (don't mention it...).  So essentially, if you think that you've been procrastinating lately, maybe you should take action.  Set up a timetable or keep a schedule notebook to help you keep track of your homework assignments.  In college, your mom won't be standing behind you and remind you to do your homework like back in elementary school.  In college life, it's your responsibility, which is a skill that you've been preparing since high school..I hope.  This is also a sort of virtue that you must take pride in.  You are now a college student, almost a full adult.  So pick up a schedule book now and get rid of your bad studying habits.

3) Rest when you need it.
After finishing that ten page research essay that is due tomorrow, you probably need a rest.  Poor time management on rest is a big no-no for the success of time management skills.  Managing the time on your sleep schedule is really important.  I'll say it's the most important part of time managing when you are making a schedule timetable.  Without any proper rest or sleep, your brain would not function properly.  So even you have an awesome schedule planned for your homework and study time, you are still going to fail that major final exam if your fatigue kicks in.  And as many people (such as doctors, your parents, and teachers) keep on rambling you about your sleeping time, it is suggested to have an average of 8 hours sleep each night.  In that way, your mind could stay fresh until the end of the day.  And another thing that my dad keep on nagging me is to sleep early and wake up early.  If you sleep early, your body could rest and your brain would stimulate essential substances for repairing cells in your body and undergo detoxification.  And as you wake up early in the morning, you will have a fresher mind to work with, instead of the tired mind that your brain have tried to stay awake for the entire day.  Also in the morning, you could be more flexible with your time.  Have a nice breakfast, study more, or simply just get ready for your morning classes.

4) Managing your healthy eating habits.
Even before setting off to college, many different people have warmed me about the horror of the "Freshman 15."  Yes, it's even a phrase now.  Essentially, "Freshman 15" is when first year college students pigging themselves out at their college buffet cafeteria.  And the 15 pounds is what they will exchange for their healthiness.  Many reasons may link to the horror stories of the "Freshman 15."  For example, stress from assignments and exams (which like I've mentioned, with a good time management schedule, you may alleviate your stress a little), the lack of exercise, and malnutrition.  Malnutrition is one of the main reasons that may lead to "Freshman 15."  It's pretty common for a typical college freshman student to think, "Oh my gosh, look at that crispy fried chicken wings!  Gasp!! Cookies & cream ice cream!  They even got my favorite brand of cookies & cream!!  Oh my goodness, you got to be kidding me!  I could stuff all the french fries until I couldn't take it anymore?!  This must be pure heaven!"  Yeah, that's my little scenario that a typical freshman who would gush over the buffet table.  Well, at least for the first few months.  And then after the first few months, their appetite on these junk foods may died down.  But that would be too late, because they already gained 15 pounds!!!!!  So the management on healthy eating habits must be corrected.  And needless for me to say, I bet most students DO know the food pyramid and know which kinds of food category they must consume the most - yes, the veggies and greens.  And I know the junk foods are tempting, but it's always a great idea to learn how to restrict your diet and make it into a healthier one.  And time management on this may help too.  For example, you may set like 20 minutes for dinner time, instead of the regular 40 minute time period.  Like this, you could eat more efficiently and tell yourself to eat less junk foods.  And you can cut off the time you spend on refilling your ice cream bowl.

5) Plan ahead and predict the unexpected.
Yes.  You must always plan ahead.  Plan out your schedule and your time for any upcoming exams, projects, and assignments.  And by predicting the unexpected, always leave out a time for absolute nothing.  Like this, you don't have to worry about not getting everything time on time.

So a last few words to say on time management is - first step: get yourself a proper schedule.  Like a calendar, timetable print-outs, or planner.  Like this, within a short period of time, you could evidently see yourself improving your lifestyle of college life.