Tips to Improve Your Time Management Skills and Get Organized

Courtesy: Delaware Valley University A student uses the library to complete assignments.

It’s midnight, your class starts at 8 a.m., you’ve consumed all of the coffee and energy drinks you can possibly stomach, and you’re still not even a quarter of the way done with your project that is due in just a few hours. Oh, and there are two other assignments due tomorrow that you forgot about. We’ve all been there: you’re about to pull the infamous college student “all-nighter.” Even with a hectic schedule, it is possible to avoid cramming in your work at the last minute.

Here are some tips and tricks that can help you avoid all-nighters: 

1. Invest in (and use!) a planner
It’s easy to get lost in all the work that is assigned in multiple classes. Having a planner can make your life easier and allow you to visually keep track of when upcoming assignments are due. When your professor assigns a project, even if it’s a simple one that you think you’ll remember, write it down immediately. Writing out your assignments will help you remember them.

2. Write out your schedule for the week
Between classes, athletics, jobs, hobbies, clubs and trying to manage a social life, a college student’s life can become hectic. Write out your schedule so you know exactly when and where you need to be on certain days. This can help you visualize exactly when you will have downtime to get done any classwork or projects. 

3. Plan ahead 
If you know you have a particular day with classes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus work or practice, you should assume that day will not have allotted time for homework. By the time you are finished all of your responsibilities, all you are going to want to do is sleep or relax. That’s OK! Schedule time throughout the rest of the week dedicated to your homework to finish all of your work ahead of time. 

4. Use downtime wisely
Rather than using time in between classes to surf on your phone, you can use it to get work done. You’d be surprised how much you can get done in a single, uninterrupted hour!

5. Don’t procrastinate
This is much easier said than done, but try your best to maintain a steady homework schedule. One of the worst habits to develop is saying “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Eventually, assignments will pile up; you’ll be stressed, forced to finish everything in a single day, and the quality of your work will suffer. 

6. Prioritize
Begin by completing assignments that have a due date that is quickly approaching. It sounds simple, but many times students will put off the assignments they don’t want to do until the last minute. Instead, they end up doing more interesting assignments that may not be due until later.

7. Put down the phone
I struggle with this as well, but putting down your phone while working means you won’t be as distracted and you’ll complete your work faster. This goes for TV too! Turn off your devices while you are working. The fewer distractions, the better. 

8. Make time for you!
College can become stressful, so it’s important to make time for yourself. Take breaks in between assignments to relax for a minute and clear your head. College is a learning experience in more ways than one, so give yourself time to adjust! 
 

About the Author
Katie DeAngelo '19 majored in equine management and media and communication at Delaware Valley University.