Managing Time as an Undergraduate Student: My Journey to Balance
Managing Time as an Undergraduate Student: My Journey to Balance
By Joseph Ojehumen
When I started my undergraduate journey, I knew time management would be important. But I quickly realised that "important" didn’t quite capture it — time management was absolutely crucial. Between classes, assignments, extracurriculars, and (let’s be real) a social life, I often found myself overwhelmed. Over the past few semesters, I’ve learned a few key things about managing time as a student that I wish I had known earlier. Here’s how I’ve been handling it:
1. Planning Ahead Is a Lifesaver
At the beginning of every semester, I always think “I’ve got plenty of time.” I used to treat deadlines like distant clouds that didn’t affect my current plans. That was a mistake. By mid-semester, those clouds would turn into a storm full of essays, exams, and group projects. Now, I’ve adopted a simple tool: a planner. Be it a physical planner or a mobile app, you just need a place to put down all deadlines as soon as you get your coursework. Every Sunday night, I take about 10 minutes to map out my week, making sure I break down big tasks into smaller ones. It’s amazing how much less stressed I feel when I know exactly what’s coming up.
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2. Prioritize Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Kind of Does)
There are always going to be a thousand things pulling for your attention — clubs, friends, gym, Netflix, family, and that new hobby you swore you’d pick up this semester (but haven’t). I’ve learned that everything can’t get equal attention. Some days, I’ve had to make tough choices, like missing out on a party to prepare for an exam or skipping a club meeting because I needed some downtime.
To keep it real, I use a strategy that works for me: the rule of three. Each day, I focus on just three main tasks that are my top priority. If I complete those, I consider the day a win. Everything else is a bonus.
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3. Avoid the Procrastination Trap
Procrastination is the enemy, and I’ve danced with it too many times. I’d convince myself that “I work better under pressure” (spoiler alert: I don’t). The night before an assignment is due, I’d pull an all-nighter, and while I managed to get it done, I’d feel exhausted, and the quality of my work definitely wasn’t my best.
What’s helped me is the 5-minute rule: if there’s a task I’m dreading, I tell myself I’ll work on it for just five minutes. More often than not, once I’ve started, I keep going. It’s the getting started part that’s hard.
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4. Learn to Say “No”
This was tough for me. I’m naturally a “yes” person, and I used to think saying yes to every opportunity was the best way to experience college. But I quickly learned that overcommitting leads to burnout. Now, I’m much more selective about where I spend my time.
I’ve learned that saying “no” is okay. In fact, it’s necessary. Saying no to certain things has allowed me to say yes to what truly matters — things that align with my goals and well-being.
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5. Take Care of Yourself
This one took me the longest to figure out. When you’re trying to juggle classes, work, and social obligations, self-care often falls by the wayside. But the truth is, if you’re not taking care of yourself, everything else that you do suffers too. I’ve made it a point to get enough sleep, take breaks when I need them, and eat more than just instant noodles (though those have their place in college life).
Sometimes, managing time is less about squeezing productivity out of every minute and more about finding balance. It’s easy to feel like you should be constantly working, but I’ve found that regular breaks and downtime make me more efficient when I am working.
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6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
This is something I used to struggle with — asking for help. Whether it’s time management or academics, there’s a huge support system around you, even if you don’t always realize it. I started going to office hours, talking to my professors, and even leaning on my friends when I needed advice or motivation.
At the end of the day, college is a learning experience, and not just in the academic sense. Learning how to manage your time is a skill that will benefit you long after you graduate. And while I’m far from perfect at it, I’ve definitely come a long way.
If you’re struggling with time management as an undergrad, trust me — you’re not alone. Take small steps, find what works for you, and don’t be afraid to adjust as you go. You’ve got this!
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