Time management is one of those skills everyone knows they need to learn but somehow it isn't part of a core curriculum in most schools. Some people seem to have a natural knack for organizing their time, knowing just how long a project is going to take, and always being where they need to be exactly (or even before) they are supposed to be. Others may need a little more guidance. This becomes especially true after high school. During elementary and high school one's day is pretty much scheduled for them. There may be a free study period here or there or an afternoon with fewer activities, but overall the schedule and routine are set by others. When someone leaves high school either to go to work or to college they have to take on much more responsibility for planning their time. If they are working, their boss is not going to call them to make sure they got up on time or remind them to leave early because it is raining and their drive may take longer. They also will expect the worker to be prepared after some training to be able to work independently with little reminders or oversight. College can be even more of a challenge because in many ways it seems on the surface to just be more of the same from high school. You have a class schedule and homework and tests, but there are reminders on the board, remind or other apps sending text reminders about assignments or offering tutoring. The student must find a system for organizing their time - while also experiencing much greater freedom than they have had. There is no curfew, no one reminding them to go to bed early because they have a test tomorrow, and there are so many more chances to socialize in different ways. This all can be overwhelming to an 18 year old brain. They need help.
Here are some basic tips for time management and classroom success in college:
Go to class. I know in many cases attendance isn't taken and it doesn't seem to matter if you go - and there are so many other fun things you could be doing. Trust me it does matter. One it helps you focus on that subject for a set amount of time each week and it also shows the instructor that you think their subject is important enough to spend time on. This matters especially if you start to struggle.
Read the syllabus for each class as soon as it is available - if before the first day of class even better. Get a calendar - HIGHLY recommend a paper one as writing the assignments down helps you remember them. Make note of all due dates and test days.
Make a daily schedule. This includes setting a wake up and bed time - it may be much later than you got up in high school but consistency is the key. Make sure you are eating - and not just fast food. Your mind needs nourishment as much as your body does.
Don't rely on cramming. The human brain is not designed to memorize large amounts of information in a short amount of time. You need to set aside study time each day. For each class the rule of thumb is you should spend at least as much time outside of a class studying as you spend in the class. For example if a class meets 3 times a week for an hour each time, you should be studying three times a week for an hour at least for that class on your own or in a study group.
Taking these steps early on in a semester will make things go smoother and be much less stressful. Please reach out to me if you need other help with getting organized or managing your time.
留言