Time Management Strategies To Start The Semester Right
By Lisa Shanken
August 13, 2024
Boosting Time Management Skills for College Students
For most college students the fall 2024 semester will begin soon. Navigating the numerous challenges that college presents can be overwhelming, especially for those diagnosed with ADHD and other mental health struggles. While the freedom and fun that go along with being a college student are some of the upsides, managing time effectively is critical for finding balance and success. Let's dive into some practical strategies to thrive in college and beyond!
The Struggle is Real: Time Management Challenges in College
College life is a mix of academics, socializing, and personal care, all without the guidance of your parent/guardian that was there to support you throughout high school. Poorly managed schedules can wreak havoc on academic performance, physical and mental health.
Executive functioning skills are essential for planning, organizing, starting tasks, and making wise decisions. Therefore, honing and improving these skills can be a game-changer for college students trying to manage their day to day tasks and responsibilities. Below are some practical strategies and skills to help improve your executive functioning and time management.
1. Calendars and Scheduling
- Use digital (like Google calendar) or paper planners to map out all commitments - this is a very personal choice, so try both and see what works best for you.
- Regularly review and adjust schedules to stay on track - find a daily time to check your calendar so it becomes a habit.
2. Reminders and Timers
- Set multiple reminders for deadlines and appointments as a backup to your calendar.
- Use sticky notes, white boards, or digital notification apps (such as Todoist or TickTick), depending on what works best for you.
- Timers can help manage time on specific activities and assignments - I recommend the Time Timer.
3. Breaking Down Large Projects
- Chunk out big projects into smaller, manageable tasks.
- Assign deadlines to each smaller task.
- Add all smaller tasks into calendar and notification/reminder strategies
4. Identify and Eliminate Time Wasters
- Recognize activities that consume valuable study time (e.g., social media, video games, news scrolling).
- Develop strategies to minimize distractions, like setting app limits, taking short, timed breaks to move your body, and finding a quiet, less distracting study environment.
- Establish a daily routine to improve efficiency and reduce stress
5. Utilizing Campus Resources
- Leverage resources like the disability student services offered at your school.
- Work with your academic advisor for customized strategies that work for you.
6. Seek Outside Support
- Ask your advisor and/or campus health center for referrals for ADHD and Executive Functioning Coaches
- Reach out to Lisa and her team at Tri-Wellness to schedule a free consultation to see how we can build customized tools and strategies to help you. Remember that all humans need help with something in their lives - asking for help is courageous!
Stay strong, stay organized, and keep thriving! We are here for you!
Lisa Shanken
My passion is to help you live your healthiest and most harmonious life, but in a way that’s realistic and practical for you as a unique individual on this planet. My philosophy is all about “balance,” never a diet since a diet is not sustainable for life, aka Kill The Diet.
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