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This site helps put into perspective that balance commitments will affect each of the other points we’ve been addressing. Studying habits, stress, and time are all affected when we do not create a balance within our lives. The site offers great ideas on how to effectively balance work, school, and recreation time while also offering the reminder to seek out support through colleagues, professors, and friends.

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With a schedule of early-morning lectures, cramming in study time between classes, making it to work on time and still finding time for a social life, college students may be feeling the pressure to keep all their plates spinning at the same time.

Many students are working during college to support themselves financially, something experts say is like working two full-time jobs. A U.S. Census report determined that 71% of the nation's 19.7 million college undergraduates were working in 2011 and of that number, one in five undergrads were working at least 35 hours a week year-round.

Students attempting to balance school, work, and family/social obligations should evaluate the commitments in their life and discuss realistic goals with friends and family members to ensure that they will have the support and time needed to maximize their success, recommends Becky Takeda-Tinker, president of Colorado State University-Global Campus.

â€œBeing realistic and understanding what you as an individual need in order to be successful and fully engaged is crucial whether itâ€™s succeeding in school, personal, or professional arenas,â€ she says. â€œEffective time management is a transferable skill that is an important foundation for both academic and professional success.â€

To help students with time management and maintain their sanity, here are four expert tips for establishing a well-balanced system.
Step 1: Create a Calendar
Creating a calendar or schedule forces students to visualize their obligations, whether itâ€™s paper, a dry erase board, or on a smartphone app, says Nicolas Tynes, vice president of programs at Harlem Education Activities Fund (HEAF).

â€œSome people may need a physical calendar and the action of writing on a calendar will help them retain information better, a calendar thatâ€™s in their face that they can look at on a regular ongoing basis,â€ he says.

Being able to see a week or monthâ€™s worth of obligations can also help students manage their time better for larger tasks like big projects and final exams to avoid cramming the night before, adds Takeda-Tinker.

â€œPlacing specific dates and times on their calendar helps to emphasize that school is a priority and commitment and allows for planning ahead--it is also wise to work ahead whenever possible,â€ she says. â€œLife events and emergencies will arise, but staying on top of school work means there will be room to adjust when those things do happen."
Step 2: Know You Have to Prioritize
Students, just like everyone else only have 24 hours each day to fit everything in (no matter how many energy drinks they consume) so they have to create a list of priorities to decide what matters are urgent and which ones can wait, says Shawnice Meador, director of Career Management & Leadership Development for MBA@UNC.

â€œRemember that sometimes what is important to someone else is not necessarily as important to you at that moment; you may have to occasionally say â€˜noâ€™ in order to stay on track with your personal and professional goals and objectives,â€ she says.

Although students may need to work a certain amount of hours to support themselves, itâ€™s vital they donâ€™t spread themselves too thin. Working extra hours during time off from school can give students some flexibility if they have a semester with a larger academic load, says Linda Descano, president and CEO of Women & Co.

â€œIf youâ€™re going to have classes that are very intensive, [ask your supervisor to] lower your work hours during that semester or figure out how are you going to allocate some of the course work that youâ€™re doing so you can still have enough time for work, which may be critical to your financial health, but also that you have some time to take a deep breath,â€ she says.
Step 3: Learn How to Multi-Task
Finding ways to multi-task and combine commitments can help students best utilize their time, particularly if they are commuting to class or work, says Tynes.

â€œStudents can look at how theyâ€™re using all aspects of their dayâ€"during their commute are they using that time to also study? Are they using it to meditate, sleep, are they using it to do some pleasure reading or socialize with their friends?â€

Busy students should also seek out opportunities to merge their school, work and social lives by getting involved in professional organizations and attending networking events, school-sponsored lectures and professional development workshops, suggests Meador.

â€œ These events are often free or low cost, and can really be worth the time and investment,â€ she says.

â€œThe best part of these opportunities [is] spending time with old and new friends while expanding your network and learning more about your profession.â€
Step 4: Seek Out Support Resources
If students are feeling overwhelmed, talking to academic and/or student advisors, professors, a peer-based or professional resource on campus can shed some light on problems or issues.

â€œTalking to non-university people in their lives - like a well-organized co-worker - that seem to balance multiple commitments with ease can also be helpful,â€ says Takeda-Tinker. â€œCommunication is a key when questions, issues, obstacles or concerns arise so that students can access the necessary resources and partner with their school in strategies for success.â€

Seeking out assistance from upperclassmen in their specific major or field also gives students more tailored, relevant advice about their situation, suggests Descano.

â€œIt could be little: how people take notes, how they study, finding people who commute with you,â€ she says. â€œEven if youâ€™re feeling overwhelmed, just to talk to someone and not keep it all buried in, but leveraging your parents, your friends and your advisors and asking for help.â€

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Balancing Act: Tips for College Students to Best Manage their Time

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With a schedule of early-morning lectures, cramming in study time between classes, making it to work on time and still finding time for a social life, college students may be feeling the pressure to keep all their plates spinning at the same time.

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From techniques on managing procrastination to better note taking, this site has a little bit of information for most any student. Not only does it give bullet point anecdotes, but goes a step further to offer great insight for best studying practices for different types of tests.

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This site breaks down different time management tips for students leaning on proper study habits, scheduling commitment, and a quick reminder to always follow your plans. It’ll be easy to try and accomplish too much, so remembering to be realistic is important. Time management is about focus and the amount of effort a person is willing to put in.

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The time management skills and disciplines that you develop as a student can help you for the rest of your life.
Do something today that your future self will thank you for.

Here are some tips to help you develop good time management skills.

A. Create good study habits

1. Study at the same time each day so that it becomes a habit.

2. Plan for weekly reviews.

3. Set aside blocks of study time (about 45 minutes each).

4. Keep your study area just for studying and get rid of distractions.

5. Write down assignments in every class including the DUE DATE and then check off items as you complete them.

6. Take advantage of open "time windows."

Use the time you spend waiting, walking, riding, etc. to review what you've learned.

Just before class, quickly review your notes or readings relating to that class.

B. Plan Properly for Peak Performance

1. Set up a school-year calendar to get a big picture of your semester-don't include too much detail at this point.

2. Schedule your fixed commitments. Block out time for papers, projects, readings, meetings, scheduled exams, holidays, breaks, presentations, etc.

Allot time for planned recreation, sports, club activities, etc.

Enter important dates for your social and family life.

Leave free time for yourself so you have flexibility.

3. Make a Weekly Schedule. Once a week block out time on a more detailed level for important commitments and deadlines you need to meet. Schedule meetings with yourself to work on back-burner items.

4. Make a Daily To-Do List. At the end of each day organize and schedule your next day. Include routines, errands, and study time.

C. Follow your plan

1. Don't let peer pressure or the quest for short-term gratification dictate what you consider important.

2. Focus on the goals you've set for yourself and follow up on your true top priorities.

3. Align your priorities with your long-term values and goals.

D. Set priorities: There's always more to do than you have time for

1. Be mindful that the actions you take today will plant the seeds for your long-term success or failure.

2. Think of the possible actions you can take today that will contribute to your success.

a. Go over each action you've thought of and ask yourself, "What positive things might happen if I make this a top priority?"

b. Ask yourself, "What negative things might happen if I don't make it a top priority?"

c. Write down the answers you've come up with and sort things out by asking yourself three more questions.

1. How good or bad are the best and the worst things that might happen?

2. What are the probabilities of the best and the worst thing happening?

3. How much time and energy would I have to invest?

E. Overcome procrastination

Without a date, you'll procrastinate. Whenever you get an assignment, set a goal for when you're going to start it so you can finish without a last minute panic.

1. Once you're given a due date on an assignment, count backwards from the due date to establish a start date. Take into account time you'll be spending on other items like social events, sports, etc. Refer to your school calendar where you've blocked out time you've committed to other things.

2. Keep stress to a minimum. Start early to avoid a frantic finish.

3. If you usually wait until the last minute to study or work on an assignment, instead of making your goal to finish on time, make your goal to finish early.

4. Remember the riddle, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer: "A bite at a time."
If it's a big assignment, break it into small steps.

F. Look Back From the Future

Things that appear critically important today might seem relatively unimportant when you view them from a future perspective. Also, things that appear to be relatively unimportant today might be very important when you view them from a future perspective.

Looking back from the future-"backcasting" instead of forecasting-which items will have been the most significant for you to have accomplished to achieve your ideal week, month, year, and life?

"Backcasting" one week from now? ........................................................

"Backcasting" one month from now? ........................................................

"Backcasting" one year from now? ..........................................................

"Backcasting" five years from now? ........................................................

"Backcasting" from near the end of your life? ...........................................

School represents a time in your life that may have a major impact on how the rest of your life turns out. Your success tomorrow depends on what actions you take today. Keep that in perspective so that the daily decisions you make are wise ones.

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The time management skills and disciplines that you develop as a student can help you for the rest of your life. Do something today that your future self will thank you for. Here are some tips to help you develop good time management skills. 1.

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Stress is an internal fight, no one else can feel or deal with it for you. This site offers healthy ways to deal with stress in both short and long term goals. It’s important when trying to conquer stress and the anxiety which often accompanies we deal with the issues step by step, and implementing the methods laid out within the page will reduce the tension we’re feeling.

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Academic Success and Strategic Learning Links Like us on Facebook | Academic Success and Strategic Learning Links Like us on Facebook Spring 2018 Semester Calendar Weekly Planning Calendar Download a 24/7 blank schedule that you can use as a weekly and daily planner! CalREN Project: Study Tips When to Study 1.