Time Management

College is a strange mix of freedom and responsibility. No one’s telling you when to wake up. You can eat waffles for dinner. You can start your paper at 3 a.m. or never at all. We love the freedom of college…until reality sets in.

Time, of course, doesn’t manage itself – it will evaporate if you let it. The trick isn’t perfection, control, or color-coded planners (although y’all make some gorgeous planners!). Time management means creating a rhythm, noticing what matters most and building your days around that. Here’s how to start: 

• Pick one 
  • Choose one thin that matters to you outside of classes – and commit to it weekly. Is it a workout class? A club? Time with a friend? Therapy? Laundry? Calling home?  
  • That anchor will give structure to everything else. Life gets lighter when something stays steady. 
• Give your week a plan (even if it changes) 
  • Start with a blank calendar. Google Calendar. A planner. A sheet of notebook paper. Doesn’t matter. 
    • Map out fixed commitments first – classes, work, recitations, club meetings. 
    • Add in study blocks like appointments you won’t cancel. 
    • Then add in the good stuff – naps, walks, hangs, workouts, ramen breaks. 
    • Leave some open space. Life will fill it for you. 
    • Build a life that includes what you care about. 
• Know Thyself 
  • When are you sharpest? Mornings? Late at Night? Time management is also energy management. 
    • Use peak times for harder tasks like writing, solving, and thinking.
    • Save low-energy times for tasks like reading, chores, or emails.
    • Not a morning person? Then stop trying to write that lab report at 8 a.m. 
• Stop Falling into the Time Black Hole 
  • Anyone else scroll TikTok for “just a sec” and it’s suddenly tomorrow? Ask yourself: Do I actually want to do this, or is my brain just tired? 
    • Use apps to stay on task. Turn on “Do Not Disturb” mode.  
    • Build buffer time into your day. 
    • Set timers for “just 10 minutes” of digital distraction—then actually stop. 
    • Put your phone in a different room when you’re doing deep work.
• Use the 2-Minute Rule 
  • If something takes less than two minutes—do it now. Clearing clutter (mental and physical) creates room for focus. 
    • Answer that email 
    • Fill out that form 
    • Text your roommate back 
    • Wash your plate and cup. 
• Break Big Tasks Into Tiny Ones 
  • “Write 8-page paper” will never get done. It’s too big. Too vague. Instead, break it down: 
    • Open the doc.
    • Write a working title.
    • Add five bullet points. 
    • Start the intro. 
    • Keep going.
• Protect Your Yes 
  • Saying yes to every event, every shift, or every group project means saying no to sleep, peace, and maybe your GPA. You’re allowed to prioritize yourself without apology. 
    • Practice saying, “Let me check my calendar.” 
    • Schedule rest like a requirement, not a reward. 
    • Your time is a resource. Treat it with care. 
• Build Routines You Actually Like 
  • Time management isn’t punishment. It’s a requirement to build the life you want. What you repeat becomes who you are, so add enjoyment. You could…  
    • Light a candle while you study.
    • Start mornings with a walk or music or your favorite cereal.
    • End days with something soft: journaling, stretches, tea, silence.
• Treat Rest Like a Priority (because it should be one!)
  • Burnout doesn’t earn you extra credit. You don’t have to earn your rest. Sleep is not optional. Neither is joy. 
  • Make room for breaks. Make room for boredom. It helps your brain recover and makes everything else work better. 

Bottom line? 

College gives you freedom, but no one is coming to save you from your own calendar, Friend. Time management is a way to be kind to your future self.

There’s no one right way to manage your college life. Some days will be messy, and that’s ok – it’s all part of figuring it out. When you start paying attention to where your time goes, you can start deciding where you want it to go.

That’s how you start building a life that you’ll be proud of—hour by hour, week by week.

So look at your schedule. Look at your energy. And then ask:
What does the me of tomorrow need from me right now?