57 Time Management Tips @ College@Home Blog

I was looking through a Google search, and I found a gem:

57 Time Management Tips for College Students

Here is my five favorites and what I think of them (thanks Christian Laun!):

1. Get the Most Out of Class. I really liked this one.  The idea is that you should be prepared for you class, ready to take notes, as well as understand how to get what you need from class in order to benefit your grade the most.  So, let me restate: Do not sleep, instead grab some caffeine before and find a way to actively participate and take good solid notes.  In this way, you are far ready for the test and in turn get a better grade, but you will be satisfied that you won't have to go into a complete scramble before the midterm.
2. Take Advantage of Downtime. I realized that if you are going to study heavy for a test the next day or study constantly over the course of four or five hours, you will realize that your brain will probably hit a wall, or you will become unproductive in that you lose your study "edge".  Make sure to take a break such as a long walk, or as Christian said a bus ride.  This allows you to feel a little more at ease and for your brain to bring it all back together.
3. Prioritize. In economics they teach you about the concepts of trade-offs.  Understand that you will constantly as a student be struggling for time.  You will realize, or have already realized that time is the most precious thing on the universe.  Therefore you need to understand what your goals are, and what you need to do to end up on top.  My number one is always academia, and then activities, then personal goals (like fitness and good nutrition), then friends.  Realize that life is all about balancing these things, but balancing them to the right degree.  (Also realize that the masters of productivity have tapped into the ability to satisfy multiple items or "double-dip" into multiple priorities in order to maximize productivity.  Examples include working out with a friend, organizing a school event that constitutes your homework with friends while planning to have a social outting at the same time.)
4. Avoid Over-Commitment. I learned this late my senior year in high school. Realize that you must say no in order to succeed and be committed to the more important things.  "Over Achieving" is real folks, and it can very much hurt a student beyond their own recognition.
5. Set Goals. This one has been around for millions of years yet I still see people not doing it.  Kinda sad.  Whether it be using Toodledo.com, RemembertheMilk.com, Google Calendar, Outlook, or simply pen and paper: you must keep track of your short term goals (homework, papers, or success in an activity coming up), you near future (test to study for, activities or positions you want to hold, promotions, books to be read, movies to be seen), or your long term goals (life goals, graduation, GPA, nutrition, exercise/weight).  Better yet, make sure that they are located somewhere where you can see them.  From goals you will know where to go and what to do.

Thanks Christian Laun for giving me some prose today!  Remember to check out the full post here.

Good luck, have fun!

Dustin