Work Hard, Play Hard
Sep 18 '01 (Updated Jan 28 '06)
The Bottom Line If you satisfy your priorities and only allow yourself some social activity when obligations are met, then you will have no problem meeting all your college goals.
Keeping priorities in order is important for everyone, but it seems even more critical for college students. Students often have a hectic, scattered schedule that they must follow each day. Classes can begin and end at different times on different days of the week. Part- time jobs often vary from day to day, and from week to week. Studying and social activities need to find a place to squeeze into the student’s calendar, too. How can a student properly manage all of these obligations?
What’s Most Important?:
The most critical element of any time- management plan is to make out a list of your priorities. Think about all of the things that you want to do, or need to do, in a given time period. This could include anything from studying, to social activities, to your job, to activist work. You need to start by making out a list of all the things that you need to accomplish, or desire to accomplish each day.
Next, you need to organize these activities into two groups. One group will include those tasks and obligations that are critical to your success and/or survival. In this group, you would include things like going to class (some might disagree with me on this one, but it should be a high priority), going to work (if it applies to you), study time, tutoring, etc. In the second group, you will include all of the activities that might be enjoyable, but they are not critical to your success or livelihood. In this group, you would list activities like social life, fraternity/sorority, academic and social club memberships, sports, etc.
Setting up a Plan:
Now that you have your activities separated into groups, it's time to setup your time- management plan. Classes and work should take top priority, followed by study time, and then by all of your other social activities.
If you're obligations are excessive, then you might be forced to curb some of your social life and some of your less important miscellaneous activities. Some students, for instance, might be taking a heavy class schedule that includes courses that require substantial time outside of class. This could be for projects, research, writing papers, conducting special studies, and so on. Also, some students are tied down by their jobs, which greatly limits the time available for personal activity. In some cases, the financial obligation to continue working long hours might be so great that it requires the student to limit the number of classes he/she takes each quarter or semester. When I was a student, I worked non- stop, and I can recall two occasions where my money was so tight that I had to choose work over school. This forced me to drop a couple of classes. It was a tough decision to have to make, but in my instance, money and survival were more critical than school. I knew that I would eventually complete all of my schooling, but it would end up taking me an extra year.
What About Social Life?:
Are social activities very important? Yes, Absolutely! I think that an active social life is an important part of the college experience. Part of the reason that I chose my undergraduate school was because of its reputation for partying. It also had a solid reputation for academics, too, and that was also important. But I wanted more than just a place of study. I wanted to have an atmosphere where there were plenty of opportunities to socialize, tap kegs, and chase loose women. If a college was primarily a commuter type school, or if it was very strict and forbidding of pleasurable activity, then there was no way I would have attended! I wanted the full, well- rounded experience.
If you manage your time appropriately, then you should have no problem fitting an active social life into your daily calendar of events. There are a few students who might have trouble integrating work, school, and fun, due to circumstances like those I mentioned above. But these students are the exception, more than the rule. Most college students do have the necessary free time to have an active social life and they can easily achieve all of their goals if they manage their time appropriately.
Final Thoughts:
Time management is important for everyone, but it's often critical for college students because of the numerous events and obligations that fill most all of the time slots on the student’s calendar.
If you need help managing your time, it might be a good idea to purchase a fold- out planner, to help you with organizing your daily activities. Franklin Covey is the best- known retail seller of planners, and they make some very good ones (prices are sometimes high, though), but you can buy an inexpensive one at most stores. These planners are very helpful, because they allow you to keep track of important dates and times. Also, if time and money permit, you might even want to consider attending a time management seminar.
Managing your time is not as difficult as it seems. The most important thing to remember is that you need to prioritize your activities. Make sure that you take care of obligations and necessities first, then you can allow yourself some social time. This is the plan that I have been following, not just when I was a student, but for most all of my adult life and teenage years. I love to have fun, just like anyone else. But, I won’t allow myself the luxury of entertainment until all obligations, work, and chores have been taken care of. Once my obligations have been satisfied, then and only then, do I allow myself to partake in social activities.
As long as you keep these simple rules and principles in place, then you should have no problems achieving all of your goals. The daily student juggling act of school, work, and social activities can seem a little hectic, but if you keep your priorities straight and manage your time wisely, you should have minimal problems. Just remember to go to class, go to work, and get your academic requirements out of the way first. Once the work is done, then you can allow yourself to have a little fun. It really is that simple.
For More Educational Reading, Click on the Links Below:
Advice on College Admissions:
Choosing a College or University
How to Help Your Child Choose a College
How to Apply to College
Should I Transfer Schools?
Should I Take Time Off?
Should I Go to Grad School?
Advice on College Life:
College Survival Tips
What is College Really Like?
What I Should Know About Dealing with College Roommates
What Should I Know About Greek Life in College?
What I Should Know About Alcohol Abuse in College
What I Should Know About Spring Break Planning
What Should I Bring to School
How Can I Succeed in College Academics?
How Should I Deal With Tough Times in School?
How Should I Prepare for Life After Graduation?
Advice on College Finances:
Should I Take a Part Time Job?
How to Pay Off Student Loans
How to Manage Your Budget
How to Negotiate Financial Aid Packages
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Reviews of Test Prep Materials, Services, and “How To”:
800Score.com
How to Take the GMAT
How to Take the GRE
What is the GRE?
Kaplan GMAT On- Line Course
Princeton Review GMAT On- Line Course
Reviews of Specific Universities:
Wright State University
University of Dayton
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.