5 Tips for Better Time Management in College (and Beyond)

Study smarter, not harder: get more done by getting better at time management

About the Author

Claire Westbrook is the founder of LSAT Prep Hero, a hub of free LSAT resources aimed to help aspiring law students ace the LSAT. She's on a mission to help as many students feel prepared and confident in their academic endeavours.

Time management is a skill that many people struggle with, and it can be difficult to find the balance between schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and personal time. This article will detail 5 tips for better time management in college (and beyond), so you don't have to worry about how you're going to get everything done.

Time management is an important skill to refine because success in any big endeavor hinges on consistent effort, which is difficult to do when time is not allocated properly. Without good time management skills, you could struggle with being late for deadlines or missing out on events that are important to you.

Let's break down the most important things when it comes to juggling multiple priorities successfully.

1. Make a schedule and stick to it

When it comes to sticking with the schedule, we all need reminders of what needs doing and when. If you're having trouble remembering things like homework or assignments for classes, set weekly agenda items (or daily if necessary) on your phone's calendar. This will ensure that your schedule gets the attention it deserves.

A really good trick is to block off chunks of time in your calendar for things like assignments and study periods. All professors list the test, exam, and assignment due dates on the syllabus during the first week of class, yet it's all too common for people to find themselves cramming at the last minute, questioning if they can prepare for a big test in under a month. Top performing students schedule multiple smaller study sessions throughout the semester rather than trying to cram everything in a week ahead.

Another tip is to schedule several reminders before a big assignment or test. Set them up as both emails and phone notifications 6, 4, 2, and 1 week in advance. This will ensure that you have plenty of time to re-prioritize as needed, and so that you're never blindsided by a deadline.

2. Prioritize your tasks

Create a list of tasks that need to be completed by the end of each week, then prioritize them based on importance and urgency.

It's a good idea to itemize all the things you need to finish by the end of the day, and by the end of the week. Then, mark the most important, time-sensitive tasks, and focus on getting those out of the way first. At the start of every workday, review your list from the previous day and carry over any unfinished tasks to your current list of tasks. This will prevent things from slipping through the cracks while also getting the most important projects done on time.

It's also important to give yourself a long runway for long-range goals and tasks so that they’re feasible. For example, if you're planning on applying to grad school and need to gather references and academic records, or if you're planning on taking a standardized test that's required for grad school admission, you’re going to want to start planning ahead of time to avoid disaster. Having to prepare ahead is especially important for the LSATs and GMATs.

3. Find an organization system that works best for you

There are many organizational systems out there. Some people use physical systems such as folders and binders.

Some swear by color-coding things with highlighters and sticky notes.

Another popular organization system is to use a notebook or notepad that can be carried around with you everywhere.

One great organization strategy that we don't see enough students take advantage of is free project management systems. There are platforms such as Trello and Teamwork that are free for individuals to use. They're a great way to manage workflow and keep track of everything you need to do that doesn't simply live as reminders in your Google Calendar or a notebook. These platforms are amazing at their versatility - you can split a big project into smaller tasks, create a study schedule, and organize all of your links and documents into a central location.

4. Eliminate all distractions

You don't need to spend all of your waking hours studying, reading, or being productive.

Instead, focus on the task at hand and eliminate all distractions.

That usually means shutting off your phone, turning down the volume on whatever's playing in the background, and closing every other browser window you have open.

It's also a good idea to use distraction-blocking apps such as:

• Freedom - best for blocking distractions on all devices simultaneously

• LeechBlock - a free browser-based website blocker

• Forest - best for motivating you to put down your phone

Remember that it's a lot better to study for two 30-minute blocks with a 10-minute break in between than try to spend three hours attempting to study while checking your phone every time you get a notification.

5. Set up a study space with all of your materials ready for use in advance

It's a lot easier to focus when you've got everything laid out in front of you and all that needs to be done is dive right into your work.

Plus, it prevents the "lost time" spent trying to find what you need or rushing around at the last minute because you didn't give yourself enough prep time.

Having a designated space for studying also helps you to create a routine, making it easier to get into the habit of doing work when it needs to be done.

It doesn't need to take up an entire room or even half of one; it can just be your desk in your bedroom or dorm room.

An extra tip to save you time and give you options is to have a designated pencil bag (or another portable bag) that has all your study materials. That way, if you're in between classes or away from your dwelling, you have everything you need to study productively.

The key to managing your time and increasing productivity is finding a system that works for you. It might take some trial and error, but it's worth the effort to find something that helps you stay on top of everything so your goals can be achieved. Remember: as long as you stick with your schedule, prioritize tasks, and avoid distraction, you'll set yourself up to be a high-achiever.