College is hard, managing your time doesn’t have to be. Time management works differently for everyone. So here are 5 tips that may help you along the way. take what sticks, leave what doesn’t.

1. Planners

If you are here, you have probably been told a million times that you just need to sit down and use a planner. Let’s be real, that can feel like some pretty bogus advice. That is because the advise stops at “use a planner”. So HOW can a planner help?

• Write down big tasks
  • For example, if your responsibilites for this week are to write a paper, take care of your kids, and work, then write those big three tasks down
• Break up big tasks
  • “Write a paper” turns into,
    • Read the instructions/prompt for the paper
    • Write down a few ideas about paper
    • Do assigned reading for class, take notes about what you could use for the paper
    • Write down a few more ideas for the draft
    • Do any additional necessary research
    • Write first draft
    • Write citations for all research
    • Edit draft
    • Turn in final paper
• Spread big tasks out throughout your
• Try accomplish each small task you have given yourself for each day
• Then forgive yourself ig you are not able to get every planned task done every day.

2. Time Blocking

Planning to sit down and study for 4 hours sounds daunting and exhausting. But planning to read your textbook for 15 minutes sounds manageable.

So pick a small amount of time (under an hour) that you fell like you can stay focused for. Then pick an even smaller amount of time to be your break. Then set a timer for your first time, and start to work. When the time goes off, set it again for your second time. Take a break during the second timer. Then reset the timer and start again!

For example, set a 15 minute timer and study until the time goes off. Then set a 5 minute timer and take a break! Repeat as many times as you can.

3. Body Doubling

Have you ever found out that someone is coming over and your brain puts you in a rush to suddenly clean up the house? Body doubling uses that same concept. For some people, the pressure of being around another person puts your brain in focus mode.

To body double is to have another person in the same room as you, doing their own thing, while you do your own thing. It is easier to push off work when you are alone. Like how it is harder to slack off when you are working in a coffee shop than it is when you are working from bed.

So if you have someone in your life that can sit with you while you work, it may help you focus. If not, try to go to a public space like a library or a coffee shop.

4. Utilize Technology

There’s nothing more fun than sitting down to read a nice long textbook , right?? For most people, myself included, sitting down to read a textbook for any prolonged period of time is just a recipe for a nap. If sitting down and reading your textbook works for your study habits, then don’t change a thing.

If reading your textbook on a screen or on paper makes you feel like pulling your hair out, then try listening to it! As an online student, you can purchase the majority, if not all, of your textbooks as eBooks. Most of these books will have a Read Aloud feature.

If your textbook does not already have an eReader, then you can download an extension to your browser, like the Chrome extension Read Aloud.

5. Ask For Help

Time management troubles come when you have too much on your plate. It is said that for every 1 credit hour you are taking, you should study 2-4 hours. So if you are taking two 3 credit hour classes, for a total of 6 credit hours, you should expect to need around 18 hours to complete all studying and assignments for the week. It can be a much bigger commitment than expected.

So if you are struggling ask for help. Ask your advisor, ask your professor, ask any loved ones in your life. There is help out there, you just have to find it.

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Remember, you started this journey for a reason. It is hard, not impossible. You’ve got this!!