15 Time Management Tips for College Students

Between going to class, studying for exams, getting involved on campus, and taking time to relax, your schedule can fill up quickly. While it may feel like there isn’t enough time in the day, the key is making the most of the 24 hours you do have. Good time management can help you stay on top of your responsibilities while still enjoying your college experience. Here are 17 effective time management tips to help you reduce stress and regain valuable time for yourself. 

1. Create a calendar

Have you ever had an exam sneak up on you? Or maybe, you’ve accidentally planned a family dinner when you were supposed to be in a study group. Creating a calendar and regularly updating it will help ensure you stay prepared for what’s ahead. You can use a digital calendar, like the one on your phone, or keep it old school with paper and pen. Set aside a few minutes each week to review and update your calendar to avoid surprises and manage your study time wisely. 

2. Build a weekly routine

After the first month of the semester, you’ll likely have a good idea of what your typical week looks like. You’ll know when you have time to work on your assignments, grab dinner with a friend, or sneak in a nap. It’s important to establish a healthy balance and create a routine that will help you maximize your time. Plus, knowing when you’re scheduled at your part-time job or when you’ll do laundry will help you avoid cramming too much into one day.

3. Write down your to-do list

While college is important, your education won’t be the only thing vying for your attention. From managing your social life to being in charge of your personal finances, you will have your hands full. To keep things straight, you could make a checklist every week or refresh your list each day. Having all your tasks in one to-do list will make it much easier to remember your responsibilities. Plus, you'll get a boost of satisfaction every time you cross an item off the list.

4. Set priorities

After you’ve made a list of things you need to do, you can choose which tasks to prioritize. This week, your priorities might be winning the intramural volleyball championship game or writing an outstanding scholarship essay. If you’re not sure how to decide if something is a priority, try sorting your list by urgency (the items with the nearest deadline) or importance (the items with the most value or significance). Ultimately, as long as you get everything done that needs to be done, you can set your priorities in whatever way works for you. 

5. Stay organized

In college, you’ll likely be taking more than one class at once. Using a color-coding system or having a different notebook for each course could help you keep everything in order. It might also be a good idea to create digital folders for each class in your computer files. Finally, when working at your desk, try to keep it clean and clear of clutter to boost your productivity. After both your physical and digital spaces are organized, you’ll be able to spend less time hunting for notes and more time actually reviewing during your study sessions.

6. Start small

If you’re facing a daunting task, such as writing your final term paper, it may be beneficial to divide it into smaller sections. You can break up your library sessions into segments for research, creating an outline, writing, citations, and proofreading. When you have a particularly overwhelming day, reading a few research articles might feel much more achievable than writing an entire paper. Plus, these small tasks will add up quickly, boosting your confidence and motivation for your larger task.

7. Steer clear of multitasking

Multitasking is actually a poor time management technique. Research shows that multitasking has a negative effect on productivity. This is because it takes time for your brain to switch focus from one task to another. Paying attention to more than one task also increases the likelihood that you will make mistakes. For example, listening to a lecture while texting a friend is not as efficient as you may think it will be. You could miss valuable information or text a word you may have overheard instead of what you intended to say. It is much more efficient to focus your full attention on one task rather than dividing it between multiple. 

8. Get rid of distractions

Distractions come in all shapes and sizes, but as a college student, any distraction could take up precious time to get things done. Try to eliminate all of the time wasters that are in your control. If you are easily sucked into mindless social media scrolling each time your phone buzzes, silence your notifications. If you’re a social butterfly, sit down in a quiet corner of the library instead of a high traffic area. Getting rid of as many distractions as possible will help you stay focused and spend your time more efficiently. 

9. Set reminders

As a college student, your brain will be working overtime. You’ll be retaining information about your favorite classes, new friends, and unique experiences. Even with a calendar and to-do list, it can be easy to miss a meeting or forget something important when you're keeping busy. If your roommate invites you to their piano recital two Thursdays from now, set a reminder for that specific time. When you hear about the career fair happening, remind yourself to make sure your resume is mistake-free. Use sticky notes or create a reminder in your phone to help you keep track of these spontaneous events.

10. Avoid procrastination

While waiting until the last minute to do something may seem like a good idea, it often leads to more problems than benefits. Many college students fall victim to procrastination throughout their college careers. In college, procrastinating can look like waiting to study until the night before a big test. It can also materialize as putting off networking in college until March of senior year. It’s not easy to stop procrastinating, as it takes discipline. However, prioritizing work before play will benefit you long-term. 

 11. Ask for help

If you have a hard time understanding a concept or are stuck on a problem, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can visit your professors during their office hours, form a study group, or sign up for a tutoring session. In terms of time management, asking for help can also involve delegation. For example, if you’re living with roommates, consider creating a cleaning schedule where everyone takes turns. By doing so, you can free up some of your time to focus on your schoolwork or social activities. 

12. Take care of yourself

While it may not be obvious, looking after your health can play a huge role in successfully managing your time in college. Regular exercise can keep your energy levels up and help you focus when doing homework. A good sleep schedule can also save you time by avoiding the need for afternoon naps. Besides avoiding burnout and supporting your mental health, minding your health can reduce your stress levels. Not only does taking care of yourself as a student save you time, but it can also save you money.

13. Use downtime wisely

One of the truest indicators of good time management is how you use your downtime. The breaks that already exist in your schedule can serve as extra time. For example, let’s say you have an hour between classes on Monday, and you need to get groceries. Instead of scrolling through social media, that hour could be a great time to go to the grocery store. When you start using breaks effectively to get things done, you will notice that it feels like you’ve made more time to do what you want to do, rather than what you have to do.

14. Keep your expectations in check

As a student, having good time management can help you stay on track, but it won’t make everything effortless. You will still need to set realistic expectations, allow adequate time to study, and be prepared for things you didn’t anticipate. Your professors may assign extra work, or a group project may take longer than expected. Perhaps, there may be a day when focusing feels impossible. It’s normal for some tasks to require more time than you expected, especially as you begin preparing for finals. Be realistic and practical about your expectations while still giving your best effort. 

15. Make it fun

Small rewards can go a long way in keeping you motivated. When you finish a big assignment, don’t just start the next activity. Take time to reward yourself and recognize what you’ve accomplished. Whether it’s taking a short break to watch an episode of your favorite show or treating yourself to a warm cookie, rewards will help you make the most of your college experience. Your education is crucial. However, it’s important to ensure that you don’t watch the next four years pass by from inside the library. Strive for a healthy balance, and try to have fun along the way.

Whether you’re looking to study more effectively or just want to improve your routine, time management for students is critical. These time management tips for students will help you plan ahead, avoid last-minute cramming, and get more done. Learning how to manage your time takes practice, but starting in college will set you up for success long after you graduate.