Running out of time? It’s not too late to change

It seems like only a short time ago that fall quarter began. The truth is that the end of the quarter will be upon us sooner than we think. With paper deadlines and exams coming up it seems an appropriate time to discuss time management strategies. You may feel that the moment has passed for you to consider time management, but I assure you that it is never too late to start developing good time management skills. Appropriate time management can help make the most of the limited amount of time you have as a student. Many students attempt to juggle many different activites on and off campus while still trying to complete work, get enough sleep, and find time to talk with friends. This can create a lot of stress and lead to poor performance in classes and prevent you from enjoying the time you spend with friends. Using time management can help you do better in school and have more free time to do other things.

The most important thing that you can do to manage time better is understand how you use your time. Using a time log and keeping track of what you do throughout the day will provide you with insight on how you spend your time. Do you spend all of your time doing work, or perhaps you spend that time with your friends and not getting work done? Once you know how you spend your time, you can review the log to see if you use your time well. Through looking at the time log, you can see if you were able to complete assignments on time or if you were rushed to get things done. After you know when you have commitments and when you have free time, you can also look at your time log to see what you do with your free time. If you are using all unscheduled time to relax, then you may be able to make adjustments to provide more time for studying.

Once you know how you manage time, one suggestion is to keep a calendar. Writing down when things are due and when you are occupied provides you with the opportunity to see where you may have down time throughout the week and to make use of that time to complete assignments or to enjoy the company of friends. The key to time management is balance. If you have time to work, it is important to make sure that you have time to play. This will keep you mentally energized throughout the week and help accomplish your goals.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or disorder. Nor is it intended to replace a consultation with a mental health provider.