We all know how hectic college life could become sometimes. With all the classes, conferences, and researches, it is no wonder that some are hopelessly stressed out and confused and have their priorities all mixed up.
There are those who hold a part-time job while studying in college. Others have to juggle their studies with extra-curricular and civic activities. Of course, you also need to spend time with your friends and hang out with them.
All these things are actually part and parcel of what college students need to cope with. Organizing your time so that you can successfully accomplish your college degree and still do your other responsibilities is a feat you have to master. Learning time management skills to increase your effectiveness is important if you want fare well as college student.
Firstly, you have to know how valuable each time of the day is and how to utilize it effectively according to your activities in college. There is a famous story in Steven Covey’s "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" which has a profound lesson of how to utilize your time effectively.
The story is about a lecturer who stood before a class holding a big jar, which he placed with big rocks. After filling it up with big rocks, he asked the class if it is full and the students said yes.
Then, he got smaller rocks and dropped them in the big jar as well, along with the bigger rocks. The smaller stones, of course fit in the jar. After which, he again asked the students if the jar is already full. Still, many of the students said yes. Other students cautiously said it seems full.
After their answered was given, the professor produced a bag of sand and emptied it into the jar, too. The sand, of course filled out all the tiny spaces between the bigger and smaller rocks. After emptying the entire bag of sand unto the jar, he again asks the students if the jar is already full. The class,cautiously, said that it is full.
However, the lecturer was not done yet, he took out a glass of water and emptied the water into the jar, which really did seeped up into the sand and ranks and eventually filled up the jar.
After this, the lecturer asks the class what the moral of the story is. The class, believing that they have spotted the trick, replied quite readily that the moral of the story is that "you can always squeeze a bit more in."
But, the man immediately pointed out that the real moral of the story is that “you need to get your big rocks in first, or all that other smaller 'stuff' gets in way too soon and takes up all the space."
Indeed, it is very true and is really, a profound insight concerning time management strategies for college students.
First, you have to know what are your ‘big rocks’ – the things that matter to you the most. Of course, you could always squeeze in other less important activities along with your ‘big rock’ activities.
However, if you fail to identify your most important priorities and always accomplish them first, then you will never have the chance to finish them out. This is because those other activities you are doing will take up most of your time and drown your efforts for your top priority activities.
According to Covey, these are the Quadrant 2 activities. Covey further reiterates that if you fail to take time to set the most important goal in your life as the first thing in your college student activity schedule, then you will never get the chance to let your ‘big rock’ activity evolve and grow.
This kind of effective time management is also a means of self-management. In fact, these two concepts are one and the same. College students have to establish priorities for themselves from number 1 or the most important thing they desire out of life, up to the least important but significant little activity they need to do that supports their achievement of their most important goal.
After you have determined your ‘big rock’ activity, then you should manage your college student activities – studies, researches, extra – curricular college activities, civic duties and socials, without ever straying far from your ultimate goal. Make sure that you do not wind up doing everything but finish up with nothing.
Take time to think about your reasons for being in college and your reasons for involving yourself in other college student activities. Doing this exercise will help you draw up the list of priorities you need to accomplish.
Always remember Covey and his big rocks, though. In listing down your priorities in life, always determine your big rock activities.
