Joel
How do you manage your freetime in college?
How do you focus and get what you need to get done? How do you not procrastinate? How to do you have fun and work hard? #helpme #focus #dontprocrastinate
2 answers
Sheila Jordan
Sheila’s Answer
You're already off to a great start by getting ahead on how to execute good "time management" while in college. I know it's hard to stay focused and on target when you have so much free time; especially when you have the freedom to do as you please. . . Well, I'd like to share with you a few tips for you to consider.
* Stay Focused: Try to focus on the immediate. Being able to focus on what’s on your plate today or tomorrow will give you peace in mind that it is possible to accomplish all of your obligations.
* Use a Calendar: Keeping track of the months to come and future assignments will give you a look ahead.
* Lists: Taking the time to section out the next day by the hour will help you to stay on track. Start by estimating the amount of time that each task will take, and putting those tasks in between classes. This will help you to see how much you can get done in a day along with your possible amount of relaxation or social time. It’ll also keep you in check with your meetings and class times.
* Say No: It’s totally OK to tell a classmate that you won’t be able to stay late to help them catch up, and it’s absolutely fine to tell your friends you won’t be able to go to that party on Friday. Also, saying no will also help you out later in life. I rather say no rather than have an overloaded plate and don't get anything accomplished.
* Remain Focused: Try to incorporate a good steady routine and organized space. Remove things that will distract you.
* Get it Done: Try not to procrastinate. Work on getting things done ahead of time before its due. Anything could happen between now and then.
* Plan Ahead: At the end of the day, look at the next day and the things that has to be done tomorrow and for the week. Keeping those things in mind will help remind you what's coming up next.
I wish you the best of luck!
~ Sheila
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Angela D
Angela’s Answer
Hi Joel,
Going in with the mindset that you need to manage your time is a great way to start the school year off. Managing your time is all about setting a schedule and sticking to it. College and high school differ in the amount of coursework and the timing of classes. In college, you might have a day off or class only at 7pm, so you have much more control over your class schedule.
I would recommend creating your own calendar and block off chucks of time. Make all of your classes one color and then set another time range a different color for studying and doing homework. Create deadlines for yourself; on Thursday your homework for Monday's classes have to be completed.
Also, when I used to have classes in the mornings I would complete the homework immediately after the class, because the content was fresh in my mind. I felt as though I would procrastinate more when I had night classes because I would wait to do homework until the day of the class. I would recommend taking classes earlier in the day. So you can use the afternoon to complete work so you can go out at night and on the weekends.
Angela recommends the following next steps: