How Creating a Schedule Could Improve College Student's Lives

 The Importance of Time Management

    Do you ever feel like you never have enough time to get everything done? What about pushing assignments back until the day it's due? For college students it is easy to get caught up in the social and academic challenges of university. It is of ever-growing importance that students learn and develop better time-management skills to help decrease stress in their lives.

    A study conducted by Dr. Najnin Khanam from SOA University reveals that a majority of college students lack sufficient knowledge on managing their time efficiently. In terms of academic performance, students with higher academic achievement were shown to have better time management. Whether it's simply creating a schedule or staying organized, managing one's time is essential for any college students' success.

Improving Time Management

    Getting rid of unwanted habits is not an easy task and some students might not want to put in the effort. By including small changes in their daily routine such as checklists or avoiding distractions, a student can slowly build up their time management skills to be successful. The following suggestions are just a few helpful tips on improving time management.

Create a Routine

    By creating a well-rounded routine, any uncertainty involving homework or study time are eliminated. Start the routine early in the semester to become better adjusted, and make sure to include some free time to destress. Along with creating a routine, setting a schedule that includes important dates can help to avoid any late submissions or missed deadlines.

Limit Potential Distractions

    Whether it's a short-term distraction such as a phone, or a bigger distraction such as an ineffective study space, limiting distractions is the key to staying focused. This could mean placing all electronic devices in another room or having to relocating to a new study area. Knowing how you work best can help improve focus along with time management and increase productivity.

The Pomodoro Technique

    By creating some sort of schedule, breaks can be planned to not interfere with other activities. When it hits the point of procrastination breaks can become detrimental. Using the Pomodoro Technique is the best way to combat this issue. The technique consists of working in 25-to-30-minute sprints with a 5-minute break in between each set. This helps to not only prevent long breaks but allows students to work for longer periods of time.

Tackle One Thing at a Time

    Although multitasking may seem beneficial, trying to juggle many tasks at once actually decreases a student's productivity. By focusing on one task at a time, a student can accomplish more and direct their attention to one assignment rather than multiple. This not only allows the student to better understand an assignment but allows for deeper comprehension in the long run.

What are your thoughts?

How do you think your time management skills are? Do you already do any of these tips? If not, do you see yourself using these tips in the future? Are there any other tips you use in your life that keep you on track?

Learn more here:

Time Management - A Case Study

A study on university student’s time management and academic achievement

11 Effective Time Management Tips for College Students

Mastering Time Management for College Students