Tips for Time Management

The best time management advice that I was given for college was to stay a week ahead. This means starting a week ahead. Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you that cut your summer a whole week short to dedicate yourself to studying 24/7. The trick is to take just a little bit of time to do the first assignment in each of your classes, if possible. In some classes, you may be able to do this before the first day. In others, you may have to wait until a class or two in. If you manage to stay a week ahead in just some of your classes, then even if something comes up (trust me, it’ll happen no matter how careful you are) and you fall off-schedule, you don’t even really get behind. Taking a little extra time early to get things done will help in the long run. And if you do manage to stay a week ahead the entire semester, then you’ll be done a week early and ace your finals.

The class syllabus is key. It gives you a rough outline for due dates for quizzes, homework, assignments, and most importantly exams (!!!) for the entire semester. Some professors may hand it out, others may make you print it out or find it online yourself. Whatever the case, make sure to get your hands on it ASAP and mark all important dates down on a calendar, either physical or on your phone or computer. Keep the syllabus handy.

One of the most dramatic differences between college and high school is the amount of free time you have. In college, you have a few hours of classes a day, and then have the freedom to choose how you want to spend the rest of the day. You don’t have to cook or clean your room or do the dishes, you don’t have to drive your little brother to soccer practice, you don’t even have to shower if you want! (although I highly recommend that you do). My point is, that you will have free time. Providing you follow other advice from this blog and get involved, this seemingly enormous amount of free time will be filled before you know it. Lists will help. Sometimes with the stress of an upcoming assignment deadline or a big exam, it is easy to forget to email someone back, attend a meeting for a club, or sometimes even do your laundry. My advice is to make a list right after your last class of the day, detailing all the things you hope to accomplish for the next day.

Keep in mind, different methods work for different people. Try new things, change it up if it’s not working, get in a routine. Most of all, relax, you will do great :)

Alexis Gawelko is a sophomore majoring in Civil Engineering and is an Envoy for WEPO'16!