8 Time Management Tips for Freshmen

Time management is the key for students to pass the study period smoothly. (source: freepik)

Being a new student certainly requires some adjustment. It starts from the adjustment to the environment to the process of studying at the university. As a first-year student, you must be ready to face all the challenges of the world of lectures.

You’re not alone if you’ve been looking for tips on balancing study time. A 2015 Georgetown University study found that 40% of students aged 16-29 and 76% of people aged 30-54 were trying to balance study time and other activities such as work and other responsibilities.

So how do you manage your time better? The following are eight suggestions you can consider to manage your time as a prospective student.

Read: Tips for Overcoming Student Burnout During Lectures

Record and set all Deadlines

Organize your entire class schedule and assignment deadlines in a single note that you can take anywhere. With the sophistication of today’s smartphones, you no longer need to take notes but only need to mark the digital calendar on the smartphone. Set a reminder three days before the deadline to avoid forgetting and piling up tasks. In addition, It also studies the lecture syllabus at the beginning of the semester. Its function is so that you can find out important dates such as exam times and others. By knowing in advance, you can prepare yourself more thoroughly.

Make a schedule of activities as detailed as possible

By knowing important dates and deadlines, you can freely schedule other activities. Allocate the primary time for lectures, then followed by time for socializing and self-development. By getting in the habit of making a schedule, you can make the most of your time.

So what about free time? By creating a routine, you can manage your free time better. The key here is not forcing yourself to continue learning but managing in such a way when you have to study, socialize and develop networking. Predicting and managing adequate study time will give you more free time.

Make the most of the time with the Podomoro Technique

The high intensity and burden of lectures do not rule out the possibility that you will collapse. You can try the Pomodoro Technique. Invented by Italian developer Francesco Cirillo, the technique is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo uses to time his sessions (Pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato).

The Pomodoro technique is like high-intensity interval training (HIIT). First, set a timer at a specific time, say 25 minutes, and start working on the selected task without distractions. After the timer goes off, set the timer for 5 minutes and take a break. Repeat these steps as many times as you like. For those who want to listen to music while studying, you can find playlists that fit at 25-minute intervals.

View and Limit Potential Distractions

Find out what is the most enjoyable routine for you. For example, you tend to have high concentration after 7 pm. So it’s difficult to force you to be more productive at 4 pm. By knowing this, you can manage your time effectively.

In addition, you also have to predict distractions that can interfere with productivity. For example, if you are easily distracted by the sound of smartphone notifications, turn it off during the time you set to concentrate on work. If you feel more productive if you work in an upright sitting position at the table, try to prepare this, simply by doing tasks at the dinner table, for example.

Get used to asking

One of the things that makes it difficult for someone to move faster is the condition that often allows oneself to be in ignorance. If you encounter a deadlock, make it a habit to seek help by asking a friend or a senior. Besides being beneficial to solve problems, you can also open new networks with new people or old ones.

Take care of yourself

It sounds simple, but maintaining health is not just a mere trifle.

Taking care of your health can play a significant role in managing your time to be successful in college. Exercising regularly can keep your energy high, resulting in a more focused mind when doing college assignments. Many also claim that getting enough sleep at night can save students time. Not only will this help you recover from daytime fatigue, but it can also increase your alertness and reduce your stress levels.

Stay organized

Keeping a regular flow of lectures can be a significant factor in saving you time throughout the week, especially if you take more than one class at a time. Suppose you have separate binders, notebooks, and folders for each category. In that case, you’ll soon be able to find those notebooks for next week’s exams or articles you plan to reference for your primary research paper.

Avoiding clutter is essential when organizing notes and hand-outs and ensuring your computer desktop is organized by organizing important file storage folders in a ranked list.

Find Balance

Stress can happen to everyone. The campus is no exception. Lectures become congested, organizational obligations increase, and social activities become out of control. In times like that, it’s good to step back and take a deep breath.

Giving yourself time to recharge is also essential to effective time management. Many people forget to take time for themselves, which is a big mistake. At least spend a little time around. It needs to be 15 or 30 minutes a day, but it should involve activities you enjoy, such as exercising, watching episodes of your favorite TV show, listening to music, going for a walk, etc. These things can balance your time and yourself to avoid stress.

Read: Tips When Choosing a Private University

You can learn more about other exciting information through the UMN official website. On the website, you can also choose the online registration procedure according to your choice. Come on, register now and start your career with UMN!

Sources:

edukasikompas.com
quipper.com