“You don’t know what you don’t know.”

(Julie Doar-Sinkfield)

The daily college itinerary is a different animal from high school life. MUCH different. Especially during your freshman year.

The customary educational and emotional supports of your parents and the school staff of high school are NOT present in college and university. No mom or dad to make sure you get to class. No teacher to remind you every other day of your assignment. In college, you’re given a class syllabus and a time to arrive in class. You’re now on your own to know your class times and turn in assignments on time. I mean, you’re an adult now - at least in the eyes of the institution of higher learning.

Because of the lack of scaffolding (smooth transitioning) from high school time management to college and university time management, it’s almost inevitable that you’re gonna make some mistakes. But don’t fret. It happens to the best of ‘em. Again, you don’t know what you don’t know.

Now, just because there’s a lack of time management skills training does not mean that time management is not vitally important. Let the record reflect: Time. Management. Is. VITAL.

We all have the same 24 hours. The top 10% maximize every hour of the day with planning, organization, and supreme focus. That’s what gives them a slight edge that makes them massively successful.

We’re gonna go over 5 tips to help you manage your time for academic success, which leads to life success.

1. Establish Priorities and Goals

Well-defined priorities stem from well-defined goals. And well-defined goals derive from clear destination points. For instance, If the goal is to get from point A to the destination of point B, one of your priorities is to get to that point in as straight of a line as possible. In short, know where you’re going (destination), what you seek to achieve (goal), and what are the most important steps to get there (priorities).

There are goals, and there are SMART goals. 

S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for the following: 

• Be Specific - There’s a difference between the goal of starting a business that makes money, and starting a soy candle e-commerce business that makes $10,000 in monthly net income through a subscription-based service. The difference? One is general, and the other one is laser specific.

• Measurable - A man by the name of Peter Drucker stated that “you can’t improve what you don’t measure.” Consider this simple example: how do you expect to build a strong and stable home for yourself if you don’t measure every piece of lumber? And if you don’t measure each piece twice before cutting, you may make a mistake that will affect every other part of the infrastructure. 

• Achievable - Achievement begets achievement. Let me explain:

  Let’s say your goal is to get on the roof of a house and you’ve never climbed a ladder. Now, this goal can very well be accomplished, but what if you attempted to jump from the bottom rung to the top rung in one broad jump? Not only does this decrease the odds of achievement, but it also increases the odds of massive injury. Now, if we took another approach and decided to take the journey from the bottom to the top one rung at a time, this makes the goal much more achievable and increases your confidence with each rung cleared.

• Relevant - The question should always be asked “is the goal being set relevant to the destination point?” Irrelevant thoughts, actions, and plans are a waste of time, and energy - two things most needed to accomplish a goal.

• Time-Bound - Attaching to every one of your goals a fixed time limit or deadline includes the last four steps to a SMART goal. One of Napoleon Hill’s 6 steps to thinking and growing rich is to “establish a date when you will acquire money.” This requires you to be specific about the time limit, it creates a period to measure, it generates an achievable standard, and it encourages you to establish relevant actions and plans. And the subject of time leads us to our next section.

2. Create a Schedule

Scheduling is how efficient businesses operate. Whether you have classes to attend, a job to meet, or a business to run, a schedule must be in place. This not only develops promptness but also helps one to plan and organize ahead of time so that your days and even weeks run smoothly.

One of the biggest advantages of a schedule is that it helps you to prioritize your tasks and allocate time to them accordingly. This means that you can avoid wasting time on unimportant or low-priority tasks, and instead focus on the tasks that will have the biggest impact on your goals. Additionally, creating a schedule can help you to stay organized and reduce stress, as you have a clear plan of what needs to be done and when. To create an effective schedule, it's important to be realistic and flexible. Make sure to include breaks and downtime, and be willing to adjust your schedule as needed to accommodate unexpected events or changes in priorities. With practice and consistency, creating a schedule can become a valuable habit that helps you to achieve your goals and live a more productive and fulfilling life.

3. Minimize Distractions

We live in a world riddled with distractions. Ads, influencer opinions, daily tasks, and that’s all before many of us leave the house in the morning. Distraction can have a significant impact on time management, often causing us to lose focus and productivity. This can lead to procrastination, missed deadlines, and increased stress levels. To improve time management skills, it's essential to minimize distractions and create a distraction-free environment for studying and working. One effective strategy is to turn off notifications on your phone or computer, so you're not constantly interrupted by alerts. You can also set boundaries, such as turning off your phone during certain times of the day or asking others not to disturb you during focused work or study sessions. It's also helpful to create a designated workspace that is free from distractions, such as a quiet room or a dedicated desk. By minimizing distractions, you can improve your ability to concentrate, stay focused, and complete tasks efficiently. This can lead to greater productivity, reduced stress, and improved overall time management skills.

4. Practice Self-Discipline

Self-discipline enables us to stay focused and motivated on our goals, even when faced with distractions or setbacks. Without self-discipline, it can be easy to get sidetracked by less important tasks or lose momentum toward our goals. One way to practice self-discipline is to avoid multitasking, as the mind can only focus on one task at a time. It's also important to take breaks, as this can help to recharge your energy and improve your ability to concentrate. By staying disciplined and focused on your goals, you can improve your time management skills and achieve academic success. Remember, self-discipline is a skill that is developed with practice and consistency, which leads to a more fulfilling and productive life.

5. Learn To Say “No”

Learning to say "no" is a critical skill for effective time management, as it allows us to prioritize and focus on the tasks and activities that are most important to us. Saying "yes" to everything can lead to overcommitment and feeling overwhelmed, which can result in decreased productivity and increased stress levels. To manage time effectively, it's important to set boundaries and avoid taking on too much. One way to do this is to assess your priorities and determine what's most important to you. This can help you to make more informed decisions about how you spend your time and where to allocate your energy. It's also important to communicate your boundaries and limits clearly to others, so they understand your needs and limitations. This can help to prevent overcommitment and ensure that you have the time and resources you need to achieve your goals. By learning to say "no" and setting boundaries, you can improve your time management skills and focus on the tasks and activities that matter most. Remember, time is a precious resource, and it's up to you to use it wisely and effectively.

In conclusion, effective time management is key for college freshmen who want to achieve academic success and balance their busy schedules. Practicing these tips requires commitment, effort, and consistency, but the rewards are worth it. With improved time management skills, college students can achieve their academic goals and lead more balanced and fulfilling lives. Remember, effective time management is a skill that can be learned and developed over time, so keep practicing and never give up on your goals. 

You owe it to your future self.