Time Management Tips for College Students

College can be a great time in your life. However, more often than not, it can also be a scheduling nightmare. With classes, parties, homework and sports events, it can become a real challenge to fit everything into your day, while still finding time for that all-important rest. Fortunately, there are plenty of strategies to help the average college student manage their time wisely.

1. List it!
I've said it before, I'll say it again, and I'm telling you right now. Lists are your friend. I know that not everyone is a listing kind of person, but it really helps to get into the habit of writing them. I knew several people who plugged their classes and labs into an Excel spreadsheet and posted it on their door, so they and everyone around would know where to find them at any time of day. I, personally, used to schedule every single minute of my days, right on down to blocks of time labeled "free time." Lists and schedules not only remind you of when you need to be where, but they also take the burden of remembering important events off your brain.

2. Building Blocks
Studying doesn't have to happen in a huge slab after class. (Or worse, in the middle of the night!) Break up your study sessions into manageable chunks, 30 minutes to an hour, and let yourself have breaks in between. Play video games, surf the net, put on a cd. But remember not to get carried away with it! This is about accomplishing things effectively. Studying will be much more effective if broken into small bits, as long as you let your brain rest a little between blocks.

3. Don't try to do too much
Colleges frequently have all sorts of enticing events to attend. And there's always a party happening somewhere. The trick is knowing your limits. Know how much you can afford to party, and how much you need to study to do well in your classes. On the other hand, don't try to schedule yourself for a million classes just to graduate early either. That never turns out well, in my estimation.

4. Get plenty of sleep
This is pretty self-explanatory. Get at least six hours of sleep. Take naps, if you can. Sleep helps your brain work more effectively, which in turn makes those study sessions shorter and less arduous. Go ahead and stay at that party on Friday or Saturday night, but get back to bed on Sunday evening. Having a regular sleep schedule also helps the brain absorb knowledge.

5. This is the bonus tip.
This is something that should only be done sparingly, but it can be good for you on occasion. You are in college. You don't *really* need to be in every single class every single day. As long as you don't make a habit of it, skipping class can be refreshing. I used to schedule in a few "lazy" days to get lunch and just hang out. It can be refreshing knowing you're bending the rules a little, and it's always good to recharge your batteries. Just don't go overboard with it.