How to derive an effective time table or routine for college?

One of the keys to having been successful in college is to have good time management skills. Between studying, attending class, social activities, a part-time job, and rest, it’s no wonder that many students struggle with time management! The best way to better manage time is to develop daily schedules. Most organized people plan daily, weekly, and monthly tasks

Utilize these tips to conduct effective long-term planning during a semester:

1.Plan Enough Time for Study

One study showed that 87% of students believe managing their time better will help them improve their grades. College students are expected to spend two hours studying and completing assignments for every class hour.

However, students with excellent grades typically spend more time studying. Gifted students often earn high grades with less preparation, but most students must spend two hours preparing for every hour of class to earn good grades.

2.Study at the Same Time Every Day

Students are encouraged to develop daily study habits. In other words, they should try to study at the same time each day, so it becomes part of their daily routine. Students who begin the semester studying five days each week around the same time of day typically do not break their routines.

3. Make Use of Your Free Time During the School Day

Study during class breaks. Many students neglect to take advantage of these valuable hours. Utilize this time to complete assigned readings to arrive prepared for class and ready to ask questions.

4.Plan Study Sessions to Follow Class

If you can’t study before classes, plan to study immediately following them. Be sure to plan what you’ll be studying to remain on task and complete the most important assignments first.

5.Space Your Study Sessions

Schedule 50-90 minute study sessions per class. Once you’re done, take a 10-15 minute break. Resume studying once your break concludes. Short breaks are beneficial, especially if you plan on studying hours at a time.

6.Set Aside Time for Weekly Reviews

Set aside an hour per week to review weekly progress. Students often benefit from doing this during the weekend since they’re less stressed.

7.Leave Some Unscheduled Time to Ensure Flexibility

It’s essential to develop flexible schedules since it’s impossible to predict unexpected emergencies and distractions. Students often set themselves up for failure by cramming too much into their schedules.

8.Schedule Time for Recreation and Other Fun Activities

Begin planning by filling time slots with set activities, such as extracurricular, church, work, social, fun, and other activities. Once this is done, fill available time slots with other tasks. Be flexible by creating interchangeable time slots.

For example, if you set aside two hours to study chemistry and another two-hour block to socialize with friends, be sure that these blocks can be switched in case a conflict arises.

Well, the bottom line is regardless of how well you plan, you’ll be frequently required to deviate from it. This is the advantage of interchangeable blocks since you can’t predict what will happen, but you can compensate for it and still complete every planned task.