Seven Time Management Strategies to Help College Students Manage Time Effectively

Casper College student Wyatt Eadus, a secondary education/history major, takes a break while studying inside the Wold Physical Science Center. The academic facility houses campus resources like the STEM Learning Center, providing undergraduate students with targeted tutoring support, study strategies, and quiet spaces to balance course workloads and manage time effectively. (Casper College/Zach Nagy photo)

Effective college time management is a skill that many college students struggle with. From balancing college workload demands to spending time with friends and family, learning how to study in college effectively can be difficult. For recent high school graduates, college is a completely different experience. While there are several differences between high school and higher education, the key difference is freedom. You choose what you want to learn, when you want to attend classes, and the number of classes you take during a semester. This newfound freedom is exciting but can quickly become overwhelming once students realize they have increased responsibilities and accountability.

Compared to high school, college classes require more time spent outside the classroom to be successful. Many students see a full-time schedule with 12 credit hours and equate it to 12 hours per week, but for most classes, students must spend much more time than that. College requires students to become involved in their own success, and part of that success is effective time management.

Effective time management is not overloading your schedule with as many courses as possible; it is about being considerate of your free time while simultaneously managing your academic workload efficiently.

Managing your time is a skill that is learned over time and through trial and error. It might take some time to find a system that works for you, and it can be frustrating at first. Solutions to time management are not “one size fits all” but vary from person to person. Here are seven tips to help you successfully manage your time as a college student

1. Use a Planner or Calendar

One of the most effective ways to manage time is by using a planner or calendar; these can be physical or digital tools, depending on your preference. At the beginning of every semester, view the syllabus for every class to identify all assignment, quiz, and exam due dates. When setting up your planner or calendar, include those due dates, class times, study blocks, and other important dates outside of school, such as work shifts. This helps you understand when an assignment, quiz, or exam is due and visually indicates how much time you have to prepare for it. Some students might find color-coding by class or task type helpful, so they can view all of their tasks at a glance. Organizing your time visually makes your workload less overwhelming and more manageable. Most importantly, add new tasks when they come up so your planner stays consistent with your current schedule.

2. Set Time Limits for Social Media and Other Screen Time Distractions

One of the fastest ways to lose track of time is to get lost in social media. Students often use social media to take a break from their work and soon find themselves “doom scrolling.” Using social media in short bursts is fine, but it often turns into losing track of time and forgetting what you were working on. One way students can avoid this is by setting time limits for social media and other time-consuming apps. For students on iOS, use the Screen Time app to set timers; for students on Android, use the Digital Wellbeing app. It might also be worth examining your usage of social media more closely to see how valuable platforms like TikTok and Instagram are in your daily life. Making time for breaks is important, and if you use social media to unwind, ensure you are using it wisely.

3. Create a Schedule That Works for You

The first hurdle many first-time college students face is finding a class schedule that works for them. In high school, few students had the ability to choose when to take classes or which instructors to take them with. College offers this level of freedom, which can be both a benefit and a hindrance.

At Casper College, many students have jobs both on and off campus, and being able to make your own schedule is a great asset. You can find the time slot that works best and ensure you have plenty of free time on your days off. Even for students who do not work, creating a class schedule offers freedoms they did not have in the past, such as choosing the times they want to go to class or which days of the week they want no classes scheduled.

One drawback however, is that you are accountable for your own schedule. Instead of high school, where students must arrive at a set time each day, college students can vary their schedules so that one day they are attending class at 8 a.m. sharp and the next day the first class does not start until noon. This may work for some students, but it is always important to speak with an adviser about your schedule. Your schedule should reflect your priorities; if you want to spend time with loved ones, plan for a large break in your academic schedule. Not every class will be at the optimal time, but Casper College offers a variety of classes at different times as well as online.

4. Prioritize Assignments for Balancing College Workload

Not every assignment takes the same amount of time. Figuring out which assignments require the most time and effort is an important part of time management. Focusing on tasks that take more time, such as exams or essays, will help students feel less stressed and more organized. Employing a planner or calendar will help you identify how much time you have for each assignment and what blocks of time you have available to work on them. A good rule of thumb is to prioritize your more difficult assignments over shorter ones. If you have an essay coming up in the next week, make time to work on it in smaller increments rather than all in one sitting. Working on tasks one day at a time will help mitigate procrastination that often comes with large assignments.

5. Find a Routine

Like creating a schedule, crafting a routine is vital. Find time in your week to do homework, and make this a regular habit. For example, if you have a class at 10 a.m. and another at noon, you can make this two-hour block your study period. Another example is studying in the Casper College Goodstein Foundation Library for a few hours, say every Thursday after class, to catch up on coursework. When it comes to time management, consistency is key. Crafting a routine that is not only productive but something you can stick to is a critical part of success.

6. Utilize Casper College Student Resources

Casper College offers many resources to help you manage your time effectively and efficiently:

• Academic advisers, located on the third floor of the Walter H. Gateway Center, can help you create a class schedule and degree plan.
• Career Services, also located in the Gateway Center, can help you find your career path and assist you in developing your time management skills.
• The Wellness Center on the second floor of the Union/University building offers mental health assistance.
• The Erikson Gymnasium located in provides a space for physical activity, which is beneficial to both physical and cognitive health.
• The Writing Center, located in Strausner Hall, and the STEM Learning Center, located in the Wold Physical Science Center, offer tutor support and study strategies.
• The Goodstein Foundation Library offers private study rooms you can check out with your student ID and has many quiet spaces perfect for catching up on homework.
• Peers and instructors can assist you in finding which time management strategies have worked for them.

7. Prioritize Self-Care to Prevent Student Burnout

Something many students forget when creating their schedule is making time for themselves. Academics come first, but students also need time to rest, spend time with friends and family, participate in clubs, or connect on campus. Burnout is real, and to avoid it, you must prioritize self-care outside the classroom. Lack of consistent sleep is a common issue for college students. Sleep is a strong determinant of health, and it is important to maintain a consistent sleep schedule to retain your ability to learn new information. To minimize the exhaustion that can occur toward the end of a busy semester, ensure you have adequate free time to do the things you love as well as time to take care of your health and well-being.

Conclusion

Effective time management is a skill that takes time to master, but it can empower you to succeed at Casper College. By utilizing tools like planners, establishing consistent study routines, and using campus resources, you can reduce stress and manage your semester successfully. Do not be afraid to experiment with all types of time management systems and resources. If a physical planner isn’t working for you, try a digital calendar. If creating a list of assignments and due dates at the start of every semester can feel overwhelming, try taking it one week at a time. Time management is not about being perfect; it’s about finding what works best for you and your priorities. It’s hard to balance life, work, and college simultaneously, but hopefully, these seven tips will help in finding a process that works for you.