How do I properly manage my time in college?

Hey Bibi, I studied Finance in college and the actual lecture and tutorial time was probably 20 hours a week, so time management is super critical when you have all that free time. First, I made sure to always go to lectures and tutorials, being able to listen to the lecture first hand, taking notes and asking questions is the most effective way to learn. After the class, I will mark down in my calendar some critical dates, homework due, projects due, exams etc, so when a new week starts, I always know what to expect for the coming week. I personally benefit a lot from taking good notes during class, so when it comes to exam preparation and homework, I can always just refer to my notes. Also ask your professor and TA as many questions as you can to make sure you understand what's being taught after each class, don't wait until the final exams to freak out about all the things you don't know. Well all that being said, you should also definitely enjoy your college life! Go to parties, hang out with friends and participate in clubs :) 

Hope this is helpful! Congrats for college and good luck!

Hi Bibi,

First, be confident! You're asking this question, so you're already more prepared and organized than you think. I managed my life in college by beginning each new semester by making a master weekly schedule that depicted what a normal week that semester would include, such as classes and recurring extra curricular activities. I would print out my schedule and tape it to my binders and folders until I had it memorized.

As for day to day management, a lot of my friends used notebook planners to write down due dates, test dates, other deadlines, or one time events like a dance or dinner.

Overall, it doesn't matter whether you keep a planner, master schedule, google calendar, whiteboard, or post-it notes; the point is it's helpful to write things down and have them in a place you see often. It's been proven you are more likely to remember something if you write it down.

Be confident in your organizational skills and take ownership of your schedule. You'll find college can be manageable if you just take the right steps.

Best,

Colleen

Hi Bibi,

This is a great and very important question. Managing a lot of different courses and deadlines can be difficult. Some steps I would take are:

1. Review your class syllabuses and make note of important deadlines. I like to use the google calendar feature where it emails me ahead of time. Depending on your study habits, you could for example have the reminder email be sent to you a week before a test to remind yourself to begin studying.
2. Making to do lists is helpful. It helps you stay on track but it also gives you a sense of accomplishment each time you check of an item. Maybe keep a weekly to do list.
3. Make sure you plan for some me time every now and then. It is important to give yourself a break. A good idea is to give yourself at least an hour before bed of "me time." If you like to read, read your favorite book. Maybe call a family member or friend back home. You could also take a walk around campus during a break between classes.
4. Eat well and drink lots of water. Eating well and drinking water helps you feel better and also helps your mind stay more refreshed. Often when people get to college, it can be hard to eat well as there are many unhealthy cafeteria options. I'm not saying you should skip every late night comfort food, but don't make it a habit.

Congratulations and best of luck to you.