College Years: Time Management Skills I have Learned Along the Way
College Years: Time Management Skills I have Learned Along the Way
I am just now beginning my second semester as a college sophomore. Finally, I feel as if I have found my groove and life on and off campus is going quite smoothly. A year ago, nothing could be further from the truth. I was struggling so badly that I was worried that I might have to drop out of school. I had so much going on that I was either going without sleep, or I was sacrificing one commitment or deadline for another. It was really damaging to my self-esteem, because I had friends with even busier sched
I am just now beginning my second semester as a college sophomore. Finally, I feel as if I have found my groove and life on and off campus is going quite smoothly. A year ago, nothing could be further from the truth. I was struggling so badly that I was worried that I might have to drop out of school. I had so much going on that I was either going without sleep, or I was sacrificing one commitment or deadline for another. It was really damaging to my self-esteem, because I had friends with even busier sched
Rule 1: Every day Begins the Night Before
Every night before I go to bed, I write myself a brief note for in the morning. I use this to remind myself of quick tasks I must perform before leaving for the day. These might include any of the following:
• Printing out homework that I have saved on my laptop
• Finding writing services reviews at http://topwritingreviews.com to get the best one for my assignment
• Reminders to bring an extra folder or notebook
• Reminders to check my email for notes from my study group
Rule 2: Organize Papers and Notes at the End of the School Day
One of my worst habits was putting this off. I would end up spending forty five minutes every 3-4 nights going through everything and trying to remember where to put it or whether I should keep it at all. This was because I let too much time lapse. When I began doing this right after my classes ended, it only took about fifteen minutes. Why? That's easy. Everything was fresh in my mind.
Rule 3: Eat Supper and Engage in an Hour of Recreation Before Studying in the Evening
I know that traditional wisdom says to study first, but this simply didn't work for me. I was irritable, easily distracted, and had problems staying on task. When I had a full stomach and had been able to chat with friends or play a couple of games on my smart phone, I was better able to focus on my homework. That focus allowed me to finish faster, get to bed earlier, and perform better the next day.