So much to do, so little time?
Rushing at the last minute to get an assignment done? Waking up five minutes before class starts?
These are two situations — of many — students may face. These two situations are a result of bad time management.
As everyone knows, America is a place of little patience and much to do.
College students spend about 11 or 12 hours preparing for class a week, according to Western Carolina University’s website.
Most students should spend twice that much — or more.
Spending enough time studying is hard, considering many students don’t have much spare time.
Many go to school and work part-time, or even full time, to pay for college or other living expenses.
However, some studies have shown students also waste a lot of time which could have been used for studying.
One study reports college students watch an average of 24.3 hours of television a week. Another study states college students watch an average of 3.41 hours of television a day.
Another outlet for time consumption, an ever-growing one at that, is video and online gaming.
Researchers have found college students play an average of 15 hours per week.
This means college students, on average, spend about 2.14 hours gaming each day.
Then, you have to factor in the part-time job that requires three or four, maybe five, evenings out of the week, and that leaves about nine to 12 hours for homework and school-related activities per week.
These studies show better time management becomes a necessity for passing classes and getting that degree.
If you aren’t serious about college or learning anything to achieve a degree, you will fall victim to the many distractions. The key to time management is weighing what is important.
Some time management strategies by Jessica Nesmith of Get Organized are:
• Assess your study habits.
• Plan ahead and make time to study.
• Look at the big picture and remember your goal in college — getting your degree.
Time Thoughts also listed helpful hints for students:
• Use a time chart to figure out when the best times are for you to study.
• Be careful with over-commitment and attempting to do too much.
Once you get into the habit of practicing these skills, college should become a little easier for you.
—Stephen Sossamon
Staff Writer
