With so much going on as you prepare for college, time management might not seem like a priority.
However, plenty can be gained by learning that managing your time isn’t just about meeting deadlines; it’s about reaching your fullest potential in college.
So, keep reading until the end to learn why time management matters and what you can do to get started today!
Misconceptions & Realities
Look around, and you’ll see that your peers likely believe in one of two common misconceptions about time management, especially regarding deadlines.
Some believe proper time management means filling every waking moment with studying and homework. Others feel it doesn’t matter at all and that the fear of deadlines will force them to get the job done at the last minute.
Unfortunately, neither perspective is helpful. The former will eventually lead to burnout, while the latter will result in either unfinished or mediocre work.
Instead, sharpening your time management skills could help you produce your best academic work without neglecting extracurriculars or social activities.
What The Science Says
Successful college preparation involves many moving parts, from choosing the right school to picking a major you’re passionate about. Some even set themselves up for long-term success with data-driven mentorship and tutoring by Equity Metrics.
Still, there’s no denying that mastering time management is an important piece of that equation, and there’s plenty of research to prove it.
For instance, research has found a correlation between how you manage your time and your attitude and motivation towards your studies (Wolters & Brady, 2020).
On top of that, the science also shows that your ability to manage time well is a significant predictor of the grades you’ll earn during your college years.
3 Core Time Management Skills For College
Now that we’ve established the importance of time management, what can you do to prepare?
You only need to start with these core skills that will carry over well into your college transition:
- Set Realistic Targets: Neither spending every moment on a task nor waiting until the last minute is ideal. Instead, consider devoting a set amount of time each day to the things that matter to you. For example, allocating a few hours daily for coursework will help you meet deadlines while leaving plenty of time to rest or have fun.
- Set Boundaries: Next, learn to set boundaries by saying no to last-minute distractions and sticking to your plans.
- Compartmentalize: Remember that multitasking isn’t always the best approach. So, compartmentalize your time by working when it’s time to work, playing when it’s time to play, and resting when it’s time to rest. Putting first things first will ensure you get plenty in return for the time you invest into each activity.
Normalizing these three time management skills is a great place to start. In the long run, though, you’ll want to keep informed on these and other skills for student excellence by visiting the Equity Met Blog.
References
Wolters, C. A., & Brady, A. C. (2020). College Students’ Time Management: a Self-Regulated Learning Perspective. Educational Psychology Review, 33(4), 1319–1351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-020-09519-z