How to manage your time if you're going to college

What is one of the top concerns of the 61.8% of 2021 high school graduates enrolled in colleges or universities? Adapt to university life and time management during your studies.

A college timetable is not as rigid as a high school timetable. In high school, administrators plan almost every moment of every day. Of course, it is possible to do what you want, when you want. But, it would help if you don't overlook the consequences it presents. And, more particularly, the effective management of your time.

Most of you have probably never given much thought to time management. Yet without it, college would be more difficult and less rewarding. For this reason, time management is important for all college students. And, if you can master college time management in your first semester, you'll be unstoppable.

Plus, college time management is a skill you can use for the rest of your life. For example, it can help you manage your future work and personal responsibilities, i.e. work-life balance.

For this reason, we have prepared a guide to help you manage your time effectively when entering university.

1. Be aware of time wasters and set goals.

Getting distracted is something we all experience from time to time. However, you need to be careful about what makes you lose focus on your studies and homework.

Are you spending too much time on social media playing Fortnite? Are you constantly texting and answering personal calls while studying? Do you find that you spend a lot of time browsing the web aimlessly?

Make it your goal not to do anything that wastes your time during your study time. Instead, use these activities as rewards for staying focused and getting things done.

2. Get ahead.

There will be more important assignments at the university, such as research work. While you're still in high school, experts recommend starting those big projects well before their due dates rather than cramming at the last minute. It is also essential to study for the tests scheduled in advance.

If you've already graduated, make it a summer priority. An example would be getting a check-up before starting college. Before enrolling in classes, most new freshmen are required to provide a recent physical exam and vaccination history. Plus, if you live on campus, don't wait to select your housing, meal plan, or purchase dorm essentials.

"If you have a research paper due in two weeks, find your research in the first two or three days, then work on reading it for the next four or five days, then write the paper," says Jodi Bahr, a science professor at Harvard Middle School and Harvard High School in Nebraska — also known as Harvard Public School — and director of the high school science education division for the National Science Teaching Association.

3. Work directly from your calendar.

You don't have to hide your to-do list. To-do lists are great and all. But it would help if you tried to work directly from your calendar instead.

Your mindset changes from a task-based mindset to a time-based mindset when working directly from your calendar. With a calendar, you can see when the deadlines are and how much time you have left. Additionally, it can increase the sense of urgency for urgent items to complete first.

Using your calendar view, you can see when you have a lot of work to do and when you have less to do. And, if your social schedule needs to be adjusted for a due date, you'll know right away.

ISO of a calendar app? You are spoiled for choice. But I would recommend Calendar, Google Calendar and My Study Life.

4. Create dedicated study time.

I already briefly mentioned it. However, it bears repeating.

Set a time for studying or doing homework only. Don't pick up the phone or respond to notifications until you've finished your work. Also, avoid checking email or surfing the web during this time unless necessary.

If you can, this block of time should be