Time Management for College Students

Summary

The Eastern Kentucky University's Student Success Center introduces a time management guide for college students, emphasizing the shift from structured high school schedules to the self-directed college environment. The script advises students to categorize controllable and uncontrollable aspects of their day, use a planner to set priorities, and establish healthy routines including study times and self-care. It also suggests time-saving hacks like efficient study spaces, utilizing downtime for review, and minimizing distractions. The key takeaway is to approach time management positively, hold oneself accountable, and build sustainable habits for success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Time management in college is significantly different from high school, requiring students to be more self-directed and responsible for their schedules.
• 🕒 It's important to categorize your day into controllable and uncontrollable parts to better manage your time effectively.
• 📅 Keeping a planner is highly recommended to visualize your schedule and set priorities, including both fixed commitments and personal time.
• 🛏️ Incorporating a healthy sleep schedule and meal times into your planner is crucial for maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
• 📚 A detailed study plan should be established early in the day, as the brain is more effective for learning during these hours.
• 🧘‍♂️ Self-care time is essential and should be scheduled to allow the brain to relax without feeling guilty about not studying.
• 📚 Efficient use of study time includes preparing your study space and materials, and choosing an environment that promotes concentration.
• 🛌 Avoid studying in bed to prevent mixed messages to your brain about the purpose of the space.
• 🚶‍♂️ Utilize downtime, such as laundry time or walking between classes, for reviewing flashcards or mentally rehearsing key concepts.
• 🚫 Limit distractions during study time by using apps that can block distracting programs on your devices.
• 🏆 Approach your schedule with positivity, hold yourself accountable, and reward yourself for sticking to your plan.
• 🔄 Regularly assess and adjust your schedule after a few weeks to ensure it meets your needs and helps build sustainable habits.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Time Management for College Students' video?

The main focus is to help college students understand the importance of time management, how to categorize controllable and uncontrollable parts of their day, and how to build good habits for effective time use.

Why is time management more challenging in college compared to high school?

In college, students face the challenge of self-regulation without the structured schedules and guidance provided in high school, such as bells signaling when to move to the next class or activities.

What is the significance of distinguishing between controllable and uncontrollable parts of the day in time management?

Distinguishing between these parts helps students to identify areas where they can exercise control and make intentional decisions to manage their time more effectively.

Why is keeping a planner recommended for effective time management?

A planner helps students visualize their schedule, set priorities, and organize their time for various activities, including study, work, socializing, and self-care.

What is the first step in using a planner according to the video script?

The first step is to write a detailed schedule that includes all elements of the day, starting with the uncontrollable parts such as class times and work schedule.

How should students approach their study plan according to the video?

Students should ensure their study plan is set for early in the day, as the brain is more effective at learning earlier rather than later at night.

Why is it important to include self-care time in a student's schedule?

Including self-care time is crucial for the brain to relax well, preventing feelings of guilt about not studying and allowing for better mental health and focus.

What are some time-saving hacks suggested in the video for college students?

Some hacks include making efficient use of study time, finding a good study space, using time for laundry to review flashcards or watch educational videos, and rehearsing key terms while walking between classes.

Why is it advised not to study in bed according to the video?

Studying in bed sends mixed messages to the brain about the purpose of the space, which can lead to ineffective studying and sleeping.

How can students limit distractions during their study time as suggested in the video?

Students can use apps recommended on the video's website to prevent distractions from programs on their computer and phone.

What is the final advice given in the video for students to stick to their study schedule?

The final advice is to approach time with positivity, hold oneself accountable, and reward oneself for sticking to the schedule, including scheduling reward time during the week.

How should students assess and adjust their time management strategy after a few weeks?

Students should evaluate how their current schedule is working, identify classes that may require more or less time, and adjust accordingly to build habits that work for them.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Time Management for College Students

This paragraph introduces the video script on time management for college students, highlighting the significant differences between high school and college life. It emphasizes the need for students to develop time management skills as they transition into a more independent and self-directed learning environment. The script suggests that time management is closely tied to habits, which can be both challenging to break and easy to create. It encourages students to start building good habits by making intentional decisions about how they spend their time.

Keywords

💡Time Management

Time management refers to the process of organizing and planning how much time to spend on specific activities to make the best use of one's time. In the context of the video, it is the central theme, emphasizing the importance of self-regulation in allocating time for various responsibilities such as studying, self-care, and leisure. The script mentions that college students need to develop this skill as they transition from the structured high school environment to the more independent college life.

💡Habits

Habits are regular patterns of behavior that tend to be repeated automatically. The video script discusses habits in terms of both their formation and their impact on time management. It suggests that habits, such as frequently checking one's phone, can be hard to break but also emphasizes the potential to create new, beneficial habits that aid in managing time effectively.

💡Planner

A planner is a tool used for organizing and managing time, often including a calendar and space for notes and tasks. The script recommends keeping a planner as a means to visualize one's schedule, set priorities, and plan for different activities throughout the day, including study times, meals, and sleep.

💡Control

In the script, 'control' pertains to the aspects of one's daily routine that an individual can influence or dictate. It contrasts with the parts of the day that are predetermined, such as class times. The video encourages students to identify what they can control, like their study and leisure time, and to use this control to manage their time more effectively.

💡Study Plan

A study plan is a structured schedule for learning that includes specific times for studying and the topics to be covered. The video script highlights the importance of having a study plan and setting it early in the day when the brain is more effective at learning. It also advises integrating this plan into one's overall schedule.

💡Self-Care

Self-care refers to activities that individuals engage in to take care of their mental and physical well-being. The video script stresses the importance of scheduling self-care time to allow the brain to relax, which is crucial for overall mental health and productivity. It suggests that without designated self-care time, one might feel guilty or stressed, which could hinder effective studying.

💡Distractions

Distractions are anything that diverts attention away from the task at hand. The script advises students to limit distractions during study time by preparing their study space and using apps to prevent digital distractions. It also mentions the importance of not studying in bed to avoid sending mixed messages to the brain about the purpose of the space.

💡Flash Cards

Flash cards are a learning tool consisting of a set of cards, each containing a question or a term on one side and its corresponding answer or definition on the other. The video script suggests using the time set aside for laundry to review flash cards, which is an example of making efficient use of time for study.

💡Accountability

Accountability refers to the state of being responsible for one's actions or decisions. In the context of the video, it is tied to the idea of holding oneself responsible for adhering to a schedule and rewarding oneself for sticking to it. This concept is integral to the development of good time management habits.

💡Rewards

Rewards are incentives or benefits given for good behavior or performance. The script mentions the importance of scheduling reward time as part of the study schedule to motivate oneself to stick to the plan. It suggests that having something to look forward to can make it easier to maintain discipline in time management.

💡Hacks

In the context of the video, 'hacks' refers to quick and efficient methods or shortcuts to save time or improve productivity. The script provides several time-saving hacks, such as using laundry time for reviewing flashcards, discussing class content while walking with classmates, and rehearsing key terms in one's mind during commutes.

Highlights

College students face a significant shift in time management compared to high school, needing to adapt to a less structured environment.

Time management is centered around developing good habits and making intentional decisions about how to spend time.

Habits, both good and bad, play a crucial role in how effectively students manage their time.

Students should categorize their day into controllable and uncontrollable parts to better manage their time.

A planner is an essential tool for organizing and prioritizing daily activities and commitments.

New planners should start with a detailed schedule to include all daily elements such as class times, meals, and sleep.

Study plans should be set for early in the day when the brain is more effective at learning.

Self-care is vital and should be scheduled to allow the brain to relax without guilt.

Efficient study habits include preparing a conducive study environment and avoiding studying in bed to prevent mixed messages to the brain.

Utilize downtime, such as laundry time, for reviewing flashcards or watching educational videos.

Walking between classes is an opportunity for mental rehearsal of key terms and concepts.

Limiting distractions during study times can be aided by apps that prevent digital interruptions.

Maintaining a positive approach, holding oneself accountable, and rewarding adherence to the schedule are key to successful time management.

Scheduling rewards can make it easier to stick to a study schedule.

Regular assessment of the study schedule allows for adjustments to ensure it meets the student's needs.

Building habits into the schedule leads to natural time management over time.

Transcripts

Welcome to Time Management for College Students, brought to you by the Eastern Kentucky University

Student Success Center. It was so easy in high school, wasn’t it?

A bell would ring, and you knew where to go next and what you were going to do.

College is not like that, of course. Suddenly, the world expects you to be very adult all

at once and not only takes away the bells, but it doesn’t even tell you when to eat,

do laundry, study, take time for self care. They even let you choose your class schedule!

Time management centers on our habits. Think about how many times you mindlessly look at

your phone in a day. That’s a habit. Habits are hard to break, but they can be easy to

create. Start now to build good habits by intentionally making good decisions in managing

your own time. First, look at your time in two categories.

The parts of your day you can control and the parts that you cannot control.

Things you cannot control are when your classes meet. Sure, you got to create your schedule,

but face-to-face classes still have a set time. Most students do not have a great deal

of control over their work schedule. Parts of your day you can control, though,

are when you eat, when you study, when you socialize, when you sleep.

An important recommendation we make is keeping a planner. A planner can help you see your

schedule and begin to set your priorities. If you are just starting to use a planner,

try writing in a detailed scheduled at first. Include all of the elements of your day including

class time, when you eat, when you sleep, and so on.

First, include the parts of your schedule you cannot control. Add your class times and

work schedule. Add other events that are scheduled by others.

Then begin to include a healthy sleep schedule and times to eat.

Then include a study plan. See our video about effective study plans for more details. But

do make sure your study plan is set for early in the day—the brain is not as effective

at learning later at night. After adding your study plan times, make sure

you include time for yourself. It is important to include self-care time in order for your

brain to relax well. Sometimes it’s difficult to relax when you feel like you should be

studying. Scheduling time for self-care gives your brain permission to relax and not feel

guilty about what you think you should be doing.

In a world that loves hacks, what about some time saving hacks?

First, make efficient use of your study time. Make sure that your study space is ready for

you, that you have your materials, and that it’s in an environment conducive to studying.

Find a good study space, and go there when you study. (Never study in your bed! It sends

your brain mixed messages—do we sleep here? Do we study here? And suddenly you can’t

do either there well.) That said, time that you set aside for laundry

can do double duty. That’s a good time to review flash cards or watch videos that supplement

content in your classes. When you are walking from class, you can chat with classmates about

what you just discussed in class or go over some of the terms you just covered. If you

aren’t walking with classmates, it’s a good time to rehearse in your mind key terms

and concepts and try to remember definitions and explanations without looking at your notes.

When your brain has to work hard to recall content, it pushes the information to long-term

memory. Limit distractions when you study—you can

find a list of apps on our website that can help you prevent programs on your computer

and phone from being distractions. Most importantly, approach your time with

positivity, hold yourself accountable, and reward yourself when you stick to your schedule.

It’s easier to stick to a study schedule when you have scheduled some reward time in

during the week. Assess how things are going after a few weeks.

You will likely have to schedule more time for some classes and perhaps less time for

others. Once you hit your stride, stick with it so that you build habits into your schedule.

Then, you’ll find time management comes naturally to you!