The Orion Online

Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Back to School

Classes, projects and parties are all part of the college experience, but one more piece of the puzzle is stress. Many factors can cause stress, but one major contributor is a lack of time management.

Time management is the No. 1 thing people struggle with, said Christine Connerly, Student Learning Center supplemental instruction coordinator.

The center offers time management training during the semester, offering tips, tricks and lifestyle changes to set a person up to succeed.

Here are some recommendations:

1. Buy a planner and use it. This is a great way to keep track of what needs to get done and when there is time for recreation. Updating it as projects are assigned helps keep track of when things are due and allows consolidation of all project due dates.



2. Break up big projects into smaller projects and estimate how long a project will take. When a student gets a due date, they can use it to plan backward and set times when certain parts of a project need to be done.



3. Prioritize. There will probably be times where there are multiple things to do and no time to do them all. In that case, students need to decide what is most important to them and what will help achieve their goals.



4. Set goals for the semester. Students shouldn't make unrealistic expectations of themselves, but find a balance between work, school and a social life.



5. Know when to say "yes" or "no." Students should take into account all that they have to do before they say "yes" and know when to say "no."



6. Schedule time for relaxation. This will allow for a bit of a break and time to recuperate.



7. Avoid scheduling marathon study sessions. Students should allow time to absorb the information instead of packing it all into one day, and take breaks between study sessions.



8. Study with a friend or classmate. Working together helps keep students on track if they are lost or confused.



9. Carry a book or notes. This will allow all available time to be used wisely, and it helps if a student is at a boring event.



10. Plan two hours of studying for every hour of class. There are some classes that don't require that much studying, but some that require more. Using the hours to review what was learned will keep students prepared for big tests.

Source: Christine Connerly and the Student Learning Center.

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