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6 Tips for Taking Control of Your Time
in College
Succeed in College
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For many of us, college is a time with more unstructured time than ever before. Having the
flexibility and independence to design your schedule can be exciting but also a little
daunting. Navigating this change in pace and responsibility can be done! We’ve put
together a few tips that will help you take charge in managing your time while in college.
1. Have a Plan to Keep Track of Tasks
Whether you prefer a handwritten planner, using an app, or a combination of both, it’s
essential to have a designated place to track tasks and dates that remains consistent.
Here are some excellent apps that will help keep your task list organized:
Google calendar
Evernote
Remember the Milk
Myhomework Student Planner
Trello
2. Set a Schedule and Stick to It!
Make sure to schedule a time to study, get eight hours of sleep, and personal time to take
care of yourself. Try to stick to this schedule as much as possible until it becomes a
routine.
Practice creating your own college schedule with our Time Management Activity!
3. Communicate with Professors and
Supervisors Ahead of Time
If you know weeks in advance, there will be a time conflict (you have a doctor’s
appointment at the same time as a class, for example), let people know. People are far
more likely to be accommodating than you might think, especially if you give them plenty
of time to make other plans!
Use this Important Dates Worksheet to organize all of your important dates into one place.
“
There is no exact way to manage your time because everyone works
differently but, figure out what works for you. Keep these things in
mind, and remember not to take on more than you can handle. We are
only human students and can only do so much!
Ashley G, College Forward Student
4. Minimize and Plan for Distractions
During Study Time
Find ways to make sure you’re utilizing your study time free from distractions. Light exercise
before studying, setting tangible study goals each session and finding a regular “study
spot” where you can always go, and music can help focus. A proven method for effective
concentration, called the Pomodoro Technique, is 25 minutes of focus followed by a 5minute break.
Watch this brief video for more information on the Pomodoro Technique.
Use this Tomato Timer to keep track of your time while using this technique.
5. Divide and Conquer
Creating a study group can significantly help your ability to study and retain the
information from your classes. Utilize your professor’s office hours for more guidance and
direction on assignments.
Check out these 7 Tips for Making an Effective Study Group from Stanford University.
6. Explore Energizing Ways to Use Your Free
Time
What helps you feel refreshed? Is it exercise? Being outside? Hanging out with friends?
Reading a book? Explore what activities during your free time help you feel the best and
make time for those things.
Try out some of these tips for Study Breaks & Stress Busters from Cornell University.
For more insights, check out our blog post on Managing your Time in College written by
College Forward student and Summer Bridge Member, Ashley Garcia.
Next Steps
Now that you have learned some strategies for managing your time, let’s explore what
professionalism in college looks like.
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