If I had to describe college to someone in one word, I would say “busy.” I don’t think there is another season of life (outside of becoming a parent) that is as busy.
As college students, we tackle a lot on our day-to-day schedules. Between going to class, working a job, being involved in extracurriculars, doing homework and hanging out with friends, it can sometimes feel like there is no time to relax or unwind.
Last semester, I found myself overwhelmed by my suddenly busy schedule and long to-do list. I had no system for organizing my weekly responsibilities, which left me feeling unorganized, as if there was not enough time in the day.
It is easy to underestimate the amount of time there is in a day. Having a simple plan can go a long way in increasing productivity and reducing stress.
There are many different ways someone can organize and plan their day, depending on personal preferences.
Some students enjoy using a monthly calendar to track what events and tasks they have, either digitally, such as Google Calendar, or on paper. There are even marker boards that can be easily changed from month to month.
Others prefer to use planners to track their daily responsibilities and tasks. Some people use digital planner apps while others prefer physically writing and crossing off tasks.
I had always used a planner in the past until my best friend sat me down and showed me how to time-block my week.
She gave me a piece of paper split up into columns, one for every day of the week. On the left side of the columns, there were rows that included times in 30-minute increments from 6-12 a.m.
Every Sunday I time-block my week by mapping out what I have planned each day. The margins under each day can also be used to list tasks that need to be completed.
This form of time-blocking combines daily events with tasks, and keeps everything separate while still giving a full overview of the week.
People can be as creative or simple with their time-blocking as they want by using pencils, color-coordinating tasks or even time-blocking digitally using an app. Time-blocking also grants a sense of satisfaction, as tasks and events can be crossed off as they are done throughout the week.
It is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the different methods of time-blocking available. Start small and slowly experiment to find which solution works best.
Time-blocking can allow students to use their time in a more productive manner, and it can even result in more free time.
Time-blocking can also reduce anxiety, as students can visually see what they’re doing each day of the week and can truly enjoy their free time.
Balance is extremely important for students’ mental health while in college. While time-blocking is meant to aid productivity, it shouldn’t get in the way of having new experiences. Remember to live in the moment, even if that means occasionally straying from the schedule.
By setting aside a small amount of time to plan out the week ahead, we can utilize our time and make the best of our college experiences.
