6 answers
Mikayla
Student
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
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What is the key to time management in college How do you balance corse work, working out, and a social life in college?
Specifically Women in Engineering
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6 answers
Elizabeth Thesing
Engineering
33
Answers
Springfield, Ohio
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hello fellow female engineer!!
Woman in STEM/Engineering/Manufacturing here and hopefully some of the things I learned through college will be helpful for you. Please note this was applicable to the lifestyle of around 2010 and not with all the technology we have today, but I think it still applies!
First important thing for me, personally, was to schedule my classes in groups so I was on campus for a stretch of time. So maybe one quarter that was mostly morning classes. Another it might be afternoon classes. But that way when I got to campus, I had the mentality that it was class time for the next 4 hours. It also allowed me to plan in study time. Maybe I had an hour between two classes - well, that's time to go to the library and work on homework or study for an upcoming exam! But grouping my classes together so I went from one to the next to the next made it easier to block out my time.
Second, find a study group. I had a set group of classmates that I learned well with and worked well with, and since we mostly had the same class schedule we could easily fit in study group time to help each other out with topics we struggled with. Again that might be the hour between two classes, or it might be after the lab class to finish writing lab reports. But having a set group with a similar class schedule made planning study times a lot easier. It also meant we'd often end up eating meals together, which was a way to decompress and not study but know we'd get back to it after lunch or whenever!
Third, how do I fit in everything else?! Find some groups on campus you think you'd like and put them on your calendar. For me, that was the collegiate SWE group and a religious group on campus. Two set groups, but with activities throughout the quarter. One group had a weekly activity I went to every Thursday evening - and that was blocked out on my calendar as time to socialize. The other group met less frequently but it was still blocked off on my calendar for every event so I could have set time to socialize.
But you can also take a fitness class at the gym/rec center and block that off on your calendar. Or maybe you don't like that and want 30 minutes on the machines or free weights. Block it off! Maybe see if you can go with a friend as a way to socialize while working out.
It's difficult to balance. Some quarters/semesters I really struggled with my classes so I didn't get to socialize much. I was studying and then taking gym breaks when I needed that study break. And you might have that. Classes come first because that's why you're at college, and so if you're struggling you will need to prioritize that. But once you've found a rhythm and a study method that works well for you, you're going to be able to fit the rest in. Maybe not always as much as you wish you could! But there's a way to do it without pulling all nighters (at least, not all the time - end of semester might be different!).
Good luck!
Woman in STEM/Engineering/Manufacturing here and hopefully some of the things I learned through college will be helpful for you. Please note this was applicable to the lifestyle of around 2010 and not with all the technology we have today, but I think it still applies!
First important thing for me, personally, was to schedule my classes in groups so I was on campus for a stretch of time. So maybe one quarter that was mostly morning classes. Another it might be afternoon classes. But that way when I got to campus, I had the mentality that it was class time for the next 4 hours. It also allowed me to plan in study time. Maybe I had an hour between two classes - well, that's time to go to the library and work on homework or study for an upcoming exam! But grouping my classes together so I went from one to the next to the next made it easier to block out my time.
Second, find a study group. I had a set group of classmates that I learned well with and worked well with, and since we mostly had the same class schedule we could easily fit in study group time to help each other out with topics we struggled with. Again that might be the hour between two classes, or it might be after the lab class to finish writing lab reports. But having a set group with a similar class schedule made planning study times a lot easier. It also meant we'd often end up eating meals together, which was a way to decompress and not study but know we'd get back to it after lunch or whenever!
Third, how do I fit in everything else?! Find some groups on campus you think you'd like and put them on your calendar. For me, that was the collegiate SWE group and a religious group on campus. Two set groups, but with activities throughout the quarter. One group had a weekly activity I went to every Thursday evening - and that was blocked out on my calendar as time to socialize. The other group met less frequently but it was still blocked off on my calendar for every event so I could have set time to socialize.
But you can also take a fitness class at the gym/rec center and block that off on your calendar. Or maybe you don't like that and want 30 minutes on the machines or free weights. Block it off! Maybe see if you can go with a friend as a way to socialize while working out.
It's difficult to balance. Some quarters/semesters I really struggled with my classes so I didn't get to socialize much. I was studying and then taking gym breaks when I needed that study break. And you might have that. Classes come first because that's why you're at college, and so if you're struggling you will need to prioritize that. But once you've found a rhythm and a study method that works well for you, you're going to be able to fit the rest in. Maybe not always as much as you wish you could! But there's a way to do it without pulling all nighters (at least, not all the time - end of semester might be different!).
Good luck!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1994
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Firstly, you need find a time management tool, e.g. Google Calendar, MS Outlook, your phone calendar, etc.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Put down the time you need to attend classes
2. Assign some time everyday on your projects, assignments, etc. Review the material covered on the day.
3. Make sure you have time to sleep and do some exercise.
4. Allocate some time on the weekend for leisure and friends and family gathering.
5. You may need to assign more time for revision before examination or assessment.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Put down the time you need to attend classes
2. Assign some time everyday on your projects, assignments, etc. Review the material covered on the day.
3. Make sure you have time to sleep and do some exercise.
4. Allocate some time on the weekend for leisure and friends and family gathering.
5. You may need to assign more time for revision before examination or assessment.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
480
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Mikayla,
Congratulations on your choice to become an awesome engineer. You have set a goal, now you need to make it happen.
Have clear priorities, i.e. school comes first. If you also need to work, it might be that paying the bills comes first. That's ok too. Just be clear that some sacrifices might be necessary.
In engineering you don't have as much "free" time as in some other disciplines. There are always lectures or tutorials or homework or labs and projects. Find a study group that fits into that schedule. A study group keeps you on track and accountable. That's your framework. Now schedule other activities around that. Don't overload your schedule. Always have maybe 20% extra time in your day because things always take longer than expected, printers always break when you have a deadline and unexpected tasks always come up. Sometimes you are just tired and need a nap.
Use a calendar to schedule things and stick to it. Try your best not to procrastinate. Don't be a perfectionist either. It can be frustrating not to do your best, but nobody cares about the last 20% improvement. Study on a regular schedule so you don't have to catch up for exams. Understand that college work comes in waves. There will be lighter weeks at the start of the semester and hectic weeks during exams or deadlines. Studying on a regular schedule will allow you to be better prepared for the busy times.
Schedule your fun activities too. Block off that time to re-charge and relax. Schedule a club or coffee time and stick to that too.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
Congratulations on your choice to become an awesome engineer. You have set a goal, now you need to make it happen.
Have clear priorities, i.e. school comes first. If you also need to work, it might be that paying the bills comes first. That's ok too. Just be clear that some sacrifices might be necessary.
In engineering you don't have as much "free" time as in some other disciplines. There are always lectures or tutorials or homework or labs and projects. Find a study group that fits into that schedule. A study group keeps you on track and accountable. That's your framework. Now schedule other activities around that. Don't overload your schedule. Always have maybe 20% extra time in your day because things always take longer than expected, printers always break when you have a deadline and unexpected tasks always come up. Sometimes you are just tired and need a nap.
Use a calendar to schedule things and stick to it. Try your best not to procrastinate. Don't be a perfectionist either. It can be frustrating not to do your best, but nobody cares about the last 20% improvement. Study on a regular schedule so you don't have to catch up for exams. Understand that college work comes in waves. There will be lighter weeks at the start of the semester and hectic weeks during exams or deadlines. Studying on a regular schedule will allow you to be better prepared for the busy times.
Schedule your fun activities too. Block off that time to re-charge and relax. Schedule a club or coffee time and stick to that too.
I hope this helps! Good luck!
KP
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Mikaylla,
So
Balancing coursework, working out, and a social life in college—especially as a woman in engineering—is like trying to debug code while your laptop is on fire. But don’t worry, it is possible to survive (and even thrive) with a little strategy and a lot of caffeine.
First, accept that something will always be slightly out of balance. Some weeks, you’ll be a gym goddess. Other weeks, you’ll be running on three hours of sleep and pure spite. That’s okay. The key is to keep moving forward without totally crashing.
Classwork comes first, because unfortunately, professors don’t accept “I was at the gym” as a valid excuse for missing assignments. The trick is to study smart, not just hard. Find a solid study group (or at least a group chat where you can collectively panic), and use those weird little gaps in your schedule—waiting for the bus, standing in line for coffee—to review notes.
Now, workouts. If you schedule gym time like a class, it’s harder to skip. Bonus points if you use it as a mental reset after a brutal study session. No one has ever regretted a workout—except maybe after leg day, but that’s a different story.
Social life? Ah yes, human interaction. The best way to keep friendships alive is to multitask. Study with friends, work out together, or at least send memes at 2 AM to remind them you exist. And if all else fails, remember: finals will be over eventually, and you’ll emerge from your academic cave, ready to rejoin society.
It’s all about balance, flexibility, and knowing when to say “screw it, I need a nap.”
Good luck.
So
Balancing coursework, working out, and a social life in college—especially as a woman in engineering—is like trying to debug code while your laptop is on fire. But don’t worry, it is possible to survive (and even thrive) with a little strategy and a lot of caffeine.
First, accept that something will always be slightly out of balance. Some weeks, you’ll be a gym goddess. Other weeks, you’ll be running on three hours of sleep and pure spite. That’s okay. The key is to keep moving forward without totally crashing.
Classwork comes first, because unfortunately, professors don’t accept “I was at the gym” as a valid excuse for missing assignments. The trick is to study smart, not just hard. Find a solid study group (or at least a group chat where you can collectively panic), and use those weird little gaps in your schedule—waiting for the bus, standing in line for coffee—to review notes.
Now, workouts. If you schedule gym time like a class, it’s harder to skip. Bonus points if you use it as a mental reset after a brutal study session. No one has ever regretted a workout—except maybe after leg day, but that’s a different story.
Social life? Ah yes, human interaction. The best way to keep friendships alive is to multitask. Study with friends, work out together, or at least send memes at 2 AM to remind them you exist. And if all else fails, remember: finals will be over eventually, and you’ll emerge from your academic cave, ready to rejoin society.
It’s all about balance, flexibility, and knowing when to say “screw it, I need a nap.”
Good luck.
Sharon Vien
Data and Tech Associate
51
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
Hi Mikayla!
The key to balancing course work, working out, and a social life is having excellent time management. Like what Rebecca mentioned, I recommend leveraging Google Calendar. At the beginning of each semester, in your Google Calendar, add in your course schedule, key deadlines from the syllabus, dedicated studying/homework hours, and planned gym sessions. This will help you visualize what time you have to socialize and do any other non-academic activities. Also make sure to add in some time for self care so that you can take care of your mental health and well-being amidst a demanding and challenging schedule. Always remember that you can always make time, if you are really working towards a goal (e.g., working out for 45 minutes or finishing an assignment before hanging out with friends). Best of luck!
The key to balancing course work, working out, and a social life is having excellent time management. Like what Rebecca mentioned, I recommend leveraging Google Calendar. At the beginning of each semester, in your Google Calendar, add in your course schedule, key deadlines from the syllabus, dedicated studying/homework hours, and planned gym sessions. This will help you visualize what time you have to socialize and do any other non-academic activities. Also make sure to add in some time for self care so that you can take care of your mental health and well-being amidst a demanding and challenging schedule. Always remember that you can always make time, if you are really working towards a goal (e.g., working out for 45 minutes or finishing an assignment before hanging out with friends). Best of luck!
Matthew Bruzzese
19
Answers
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
One thing I tell my two boys who are in college now about time management is you always have a little more time than you think you have. It comes down to what you need to make time for and what you want to make time for. If you try to schedule more things to do or tasks you must do than there is time in the day, you'll be behind on day one. Don't make time for something that you don't need to do or want to do.