SIFE: Who has the time for time management?

When I asked several students what their main struggle was in college life, they replied that it was lack of time. I had to agree with them. I was drowning in the sea of academia. I had projects and exams left and right. I was getting behind and getting frustrated.

When a fellow student jokingly mentioned my lack of time management, I got angry and decided that it was time to catch up and get ahead. I was determined to be successful, so I set out to do just that. I knew that time management is a necessary component of my success in college and my future career. The time has arrived for me to develop a better strategy for managing my time.

In the past, I would jot everything down that I needed to do for the day. At random, I would complete the tasks and scratch them off. Many times the tasks remained unfinished and would be transferred to the next day's list, accumulating to an even larger list. I am not too sure I remember a time when everything was crossed off, but I am determined to find a better way to manage my time. I still make a "to-do" list, but I have enhanced this method by prioritizing my tasks.

One way to prioritize is to categorize tasks into three main groups. The first category is designated as "critical" and consists of those things that must be successfully completed. For example, if I have a test tomorrow, one of my critical tasks is to study for the exam. The second category is designated as "important" and consists of tasks that can be partially completed today and successfully finished later. For example, if I do two out three loads of my laundry, I will still have enough clothes to dress in during the week. The last category is designated as "useful" and consists of those tasks that are helpful, but not necessary. For example, it is not necessary that I start on a programming project two weeks in advance, but it would be very helpful if I did. By prioritizing my tasks, I can complete the most important ones first and the less important ones as more time becomes available.

Another way that I have learned to succeed at time management is by saying "No." I am not talking about being stubborn and uncooperative, but I am referring to politely declining when my plate is full. I try not to take on more tasks when I have not finished the ones I have. I do not want to run the risk of committing to a task and then defaulting on my promise. You may have heard the saying, "Say what you are going to do and do what you said you were going to do." I think of this old saying whenever asked to do more than I feel I can complete successfully. I ask myself if time will allow me to commit. I realize that some tasks are unavoidable, but it helps to eliminate the unnecessary things if possible.

Finally, in my quest for time management success, I try to stay diligent and disciplined. Even if I get frustrated, I just move forward. When circumstances happen that are beyond my control, I just laugh and go on. If I waste time focusing on what I cannot control, I lose even more time that could have been spent on something else. I do my best to stay focused, but I also make sure I schedule time for myself. I also make time for my family and friends. Without them, everything I do is in vain and without value.

By prioritizing, declining unnecessary tasks, and staying dedicated I am learning to manage my time better. Although I dream of a day when all of the things I want to get done are scratched off my never-ending list, I realize that life may never permit this. I am a college student and I have much to do. I must focus my energies on my tasks and the time they require to be completed correctly. Time waits for no man or woman. So, here I stand competitively poised like a runner at the starting block at the Olympics. I have my list in my hand and I am ready to begin my race against time.

(Tenille Spence is a student at the College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout and a member of the Students In Free Enterprise chapter.)