This document provides tips and strategies for effective time management as a college student. It recommends writing down all assignments and important dates in an academic calendar, using color coding and organizational tools, setting timelines by working backwards from due dates, prioritizing tasks to avoid procrastination, allowing time for emergencies or unexpected events, and seeking help from the campus Center for Student Success for academic support services.

1. Courtney McDermott, MS
Mount Saint Mary College

2. In my life, I sometimes suffer from a condition
called the “Dropped Sock Syndrome”. Imagine that
you’ve just pulled a fresh load of laundry from the
dryer. You pile it all in your arms and try to carry it
to your room like that. Half way there, you drop a
sock. As you bend over to pick it up, another falls to
the ground. And another. And then another.

3. In the area of Time Management, the “laundry baskets” at your disposal are
your CALENDAR, and ORGANIZATION!

4. •Write down EVERYTHING! While your
calendar may be YOUR best friend, your
course syllabi are your calendar’s!
•Write down important ALL dates at
the beginning of each semester:
•Homework, reading
assignments.
•Quizzes, Exams, Papers, and
Projects.
•Count backward from due dates to
set yourself a timeline for each
project or paper (there will be an
example of this later).

5. • Don’t forget to factor in breaks, vacations, special
events, and other major life commitments that may alter
or affect your planning.
• Use an academic calendar instead of an annual calendar.
Because it goes from August to July, your entire
academic year will be held in one place, instead of two.
• It’s a good idea to choose a calendar with several
different “views”: Annual, Monthly, Weekly, Daily for
both long-term planning, as well as adequate space for
daily appointments.
• Ideally, the calendar in your cell phone should not be
your calendar of choice. While it does give you an
auditory reminder, it is difficult to plan ahead for an
entire semester.

6. Now that you’re using your academic calendar, make
it work for you!
Color coding can help you visualize your
commitments more effectively.
 One trick is to highlight different types of assignments in
different colors: yellow for tests/quizzes, pink for
papers/projects.
 Organization is also an effective tool, and you can use color to
help as well. Coordinate binders and folders so that course
materials stay together. Colored sticky-tabs are great tools to
keeping important pages clearly indicated!

7. Setting the environment for focusing and productivity is
extremely important.
◦ If you find the residence halls to be distracting, go to the library for
some peace and quiet.
◦ If you prefer to study in your room, create a space conducive to
studying.
 Limit distractions: Music, TV, texting, and (ahem) Facebook!
 Make sure your study space is tidy and free of constrictions to your work.
 Before you start, make sure you have the supplies you need: laptop (and power
supply), printer, pens, paper, textbook, research articles, etc.
 Grab a snack! Nothing is more distracting than an empty stomach!
 Discuss your study needs with your roommate to ensure you’re on the same
page regarding quiet study time and socializing time. Talk with your RA if this
is an issue.
◦ Study with a buddy if that helps you (and him/her). Sometimes it’s
easier to maintain a committed schedule with a friend.

8. Setting a timeline for projects is simple and easy! Just start backward from the date
the project is due:
 Paper on Westward Expansion in Pre-Civil War America (15-20 pages) due on
December 15, 2012.
◦ Final draft should be ready for printing no later than December 13, 2012. (Factor in time for
“emergencies”!)
◦ Final edits should then be completed by December 12, 2012.
◦ Estimating that it will take you two weeks of writing (working on 1-2 pages per day, and taking off
one evening per week and factoring in Thanksgiving) writing should begin no later than
November 26, 2012. This means all research is complete, compiled, and analyzed and an outline
has been created.
◦ Primary research should be completed by November 22, 2012 and outline created by November
23, 2012.
◦ Allowing at least six weeks to compile all relevant documents and reading, research on this topic
should begin no later than the week of October 8, 2012.
 Timelines should be tailored to YOUR study styles, project requirements, and
competing assignments.
◦ If you ALSO have a portfolio due in your art class on December 15 and a final exam in Spanish,
you will need to adjust your paper deadline accordingly!
 Schedule in time to relax, socialize, and reward yourself!!!

9. Procrastination is the act of deferring a task, typically one that is difficult or
unfavorable, and usually in favor of something of lower priority.
Procrastination will cause you to start dropping your socks again! Prioritize
your work/life/school commitments and stick to those priorities!
If procrastination is a persistent problem for you, it’s important to examine
why. Are you feeling overwhelmed with your workload? What are your
options of making some changes and feeling more in control? Seek the
advice of your academic advisor to help identify problem areas.
Don’t let large tasks overwhelm you. Break each assignment into smaller
tasks that can be managed easily.
Beginning with less favorable tasks (i.e. delaying gratification) will allow you
to end on a high note, focusing on the easier and more enjoyable tasks!

10. Factor in time for “emergencies”!
◦ A hurricane in September,
◦ A freak snow storm on Halloween,
◦ Power outages,
◦ Lost flash drive,
◦ No ink in your printer,
◦ No paper for your printer,
◦ Your dog eats your homework,
◦ Your roommate has an emotional breakdown and you can’t get any studying done,
◦ A family emergency that causes you to go home for the weekend,
◦ Despite your intention of writing your paper “while home for Thanksgiving” you
don’t get any actual work done and have to cram it all in once you return to campus,
◦ Your source material has to special ordered through inter-library loan and gets
delayed,
◦ You get the flu,
◦ Not all emergencies are “emergency”. It’s important to allow for the flexibility
required of Life. Birthdays, unexpected road trips, surprise concert tickets, etc.

11. The Center for Student Success is here to help! We provide academic
coaches and resources to help you develop the skills you need to be
successful here at Mount Saint Mary (and beyond)! Those skills
include Time Management as well as the following:
 Goal setting and how to reach those goals
 Study skills
 Individualized Academic Plans
 Guidance and support services
 Tutoring
 Writing support
These services are available to you, free of charge. Our staff is excited
to assist you! Whether you need to brush up on some skills or
require one-on-one coaching, your academic success is our first
priority. Find us in Aquinas Hall!