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Time Management Strategies: 8 Tips for Balancing College and Life

Juggling family, career and college coursework requires more than just a can-do attitude. Understanding how to manage your time is critical if you want to crush your academic goals, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your health or sanity in the process.

By following effective management techniques, you can balance the demands of college, career and life.

What is Time Management?

Time management refers to your ability to plan and control how you spend your day to effectively accomplish the goals you’ve set. This involves dividing time among each of the domains of your life —  work, family, and social life , according to Psychology Today .

Because everyone’s goals are different and carry a different weight, it’s important to set clear priorities to separate non-essential tasks or “time wasters” from the activities that really matter. Poor time management skills can not only lead to habits like procrastination  but can cause undue anxiety and erode your overall quality of life.

“Time management is probably the single most important skill that will help a student succeed,” said Academic Advisor Colin Deyman , who advises undergraduate STEM students at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). “How well a student manages his or her time will also affect overall well-being — at the end of the week or at the end of the term.”

“Staying on top of coursework requires some planning and determination to stick to scheduled study times,” Shannon said.

“Some students think that without the travel time, their study time will just happen. In reality, they need to schedule in their schoolwork just like other appointments,” said Darby-Sue Perry , a business planning analyst at SNHU and former academic advisor.

Benefits of Time Management

While establishing a concrete plan may seem daunting, it can pay off in enormous dividends. Everyone gets 24 hours in any given day. Gaining insight into how to spend your time and how you can better allocate it to the tasks that matter most can bring you a greater sense of freedom.

Some of the benefits of time management include experiencing less stress, fewer mistakes, more free time and space to pursue new opportunities. By sticking to a schedule, you are bound to increase your overall productivity at school and at work, according to Indeed , which also noted there are many benefits to effective time management:

• Properly preparing for a project before it begins can help you increase the pace and the quality of your work.
• By prioritizing tasks, you can then distribute your energy in the right amounts across different projects.
• If you have your schoolwork under control, you’ll be less likely to feel stressed about other aspects of your life. Good time management will allow you to relax when you need to and prioritize other commitments and relationships outside of college or work.

8 Tips to Help You Manage Time Better

There are some tried-and-true techniques that can help you master time management. Like any habit you develop, you can become better at it through practice. Looking for a list of practical time management tips? Here are a few.

1. Understand what your assignments entail and when they are due.

Whether you are taking one class or several, chances are your coursework will include a mix of short-term and long-term assignments. Writing down deadlines for each one and breaking longer-term assignments into tasks with their own deadlines can help you avoid beginning a major project at the last minute.

“I let my students know that if they are aware that writing papers takes them longer, they shouldn’t procrastinate,” said SNHU academic advisor Madeline Upham , who advises STEM  undergraduate students. “My favorite time management tip is for students to break their work into manageable chunks over the course of a week, month or term. They can then look at the big picture of their responsibilities over the course of a specific time frame and schedule themselves to ensure completion.”

2. Develop a schedule and stick to it. 

Do you have more energy in the morning or the evening? If you find yourself losing steam after dinner, it can be tempting to forgo assignments for TV time. While you may not be able to control every aspect of your schedule, there are many parts you can control.

You might prefer to write on the weekends and read before your workday begins, for example. You might also find that you work better free from distractions, which might mean spending time at a local coffee shop rather at your kitchen table.

Despite your best scheduling efforts, unexpected life events do happen. Students need to be flexible and make adjustments to their schedules — but ultimately must hold themselves accountable for getting their work done, Deyman said.

“Successful students consistently communicate when necessary and do not allow excuses, no matter how legitimate, get in the way of the goals they have set for themselves,” he said. 

3. Create an environment that helps you focus.

Some work best in a coffee shop, and others prefer to study at home. While some can't focus without listening to music, others find it to be a distraction. Figuring out what works best to help you focus can make you more productive.

Displaying the things that motivate you can also put you in a focused mindset. For example, hanging inspirational quotes on your wall might help you to stay on task, reminding you what you're working toward.

Breshears surrounds herself with messages that inspire her, along with her first diploma from SNHU.

4. Use technology wisely.

“Social media usage and general internet surfing are constant temptations, especially when course content may not be exciting or engaging to a student,” Deyman said. “Students can be bombarded by notifications constantly, which can take attention away from the task at hand. Ideally, students should put their phones away and close browser windows ... to avoid losing focus.”

However, you can also use technology to your advantage. There are many productivity tools that can help you become more organized or stay focused. You can use spreadsheet tools like Excel or Google Sheets to organize your projects or assignments, then use a calendar app to remember important deadlines.

5. Set time limits on specific tasks.

“I use timers as needed, but over the years I have come to understand how long it takes me to complete certain tasks, which then makes it easier for me to anticipate what I can actually get done in a day,” she said.

Alonci also recommended sticking to the same routines to ensure that reoccurring tasks (such as house chores and grocery shopping) don’t fall by the wayside.

Asking friends or family to hold you accountable for how you spend your time can also help you set limits.

6. Ask for help.

“Have a great relationship with your advisor," said Lacey May '20 , who earned an online human services degree  at SNHU. "I can call and know mine will help me any and every way he can. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your professors. If you’re (struggling), don’t struggle alone. Speak up and say something to get help.”

If you're worried about falling behind or are dealing with personal issues, you can reach out to your instructors or advisor. 

“Your instructors understand that life gets busy sometimes, so don't be afraid to let them know what's going on," said alumna Nancy Uliano '18 . "They'll usually work with you if you have any issues, so you don't fall behind or fail.”

7. Schedule rewards for tasks completed.

“The hardest part about time management while taking classes online is making sure to prioritize time for rest, recharging and social life. When you miss those things, you run out of energy and burn out quickly, “ Alonci said.

Akhter would plan lunches with his colleagues, hit the gym three times a week and find time to hang out with friends off-campus.

“Yes, a majority of that time goes to classes and work, but I always make time for my personal life,” he said.

8. Be kind to yourself.

“It will feel overwhelming at first, but take deep breaths, and you will get through the hard times," said Marlene Shafer '21 , who completed her bachelor's in psychology  at SNHU and is now pursuing a master's in criminal justice . "If you manage your time well and remember there is life outside of class, you will do great."

What are the 5 Ps of Time Management?

There are a lot of different ways to manage your time, and it can be hard to remember all of them. These 5 P's can help you to recall them quickly:

• Plan ahead.
• Prioritize your tasks.
• Productivity tools can help you succeed.
• Procrastination can cause you to fall behind and lead to more stress.
• Personal time is important.

Even if you struggle with time management, it’s a skill you can build. Using these time management techniques, you can successfully balance the demands of college, career and life.

A degree can change your life. Choose your program  from 200+ SNHU degrees that can take you where you want to go.

Krysten Godfrey Maddocks ’11G is a writer who covers K-12 and higher education topics, including policy and the role of digital technology in education. She spent almost a decade working in various marketing roles at an educational assessment company before launching a strategic marketing company. Maddocks earned a master's degree in marketing from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor's degree in English/ journalism from the University of New Hampshire. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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• Time Management for Busy College Students

Time Management Tips for Busy College Students

Time is a finite resource. Balancing responsibilities at your job, home, and school is not easy. No matter what, you’re always left with the same 24 hours in a day to check items off to-do lists, spend time with family and friends, and unwind. By planning ahead and using your time wisely, you’ll be able to accomplish more and enjoy added free time.

Follow these eight time management tips and strategies to ensure that you meet deadlines, are well prepared for exams, and have time for yourself while pursuing a college degree.

1. Identify Time-Wasters and Set Goals

It’s easy to get distracted. Pay attention to what draws your focus away from your studies and assignments.

• Are you spending too much time checking social media?
• Are you prone to texting and answering personal phone calls while studying?
• Do you find that a lot of time has passed while you aimlessly browse the web?

No matter what is wasting your time, set a goal not to engage in that behavior during dedicated study time. Instead, use those activities as a reward for staying focused and accomplishing the tasks you set out to complete.

2. Plan Ahead by Creating a To-Do List

Identify what you need to do, and then prioritize the tasks based on when the assignment is due and how much time you need to complete it. This gives you a set plan for the day. Whether it’s just a list of priorities or a full schedule for the day, having a plan will ensure that you know what to do and when.

Unless there’s a pressing priority, it’s important to also consider what sort of work you’re in the mood to do.

• Do you feel creative? You may want to prioritize working on a writing assignment.
• Do you feel focused? You could spend the day studying for an upcoming exam.

3. Tackle Small Tasks to Start

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by large projects and big exams, and the anxiety can make you want to procrastinate. Start with shorter, simpler to-do items, and then move on to larger projects or assignments.

• What can you complete in the shortest time that has the fewest dependencies?
• What needs more time or has more complicated workflows?

4. Do One Thing at a Time

If you’re trying to juggle multiple assignments and tasks, you’ll likely end up being less productive. To combat the urge to multitask, ask yourself:

• What are your most common distractions (email, social media, electronics, etc.)?
• Can you turn off the devices or applications?

Turn off any devices that you can. And no matter what, don’t switch to another task until the one before it is complete. This may be a hard habit to break, but it’s worth it.

5. Establish Routines

A set routine can also help you accomplish the things you need to do. Is your home quietest in the early morning? You may want to get in the habit of regularly using that time to study or read. The more often you do this, the less you’ll have to think about when you’ll accomplish the tasks you need to finish that day.

6. Use Breaks Wisely

The time between work, classes, activities, and meetings can be used to complete tasks. People who use the Pomodoro Technique , developed in the 1990s, work in short intervals and take short, regular, timed breaks — “Pomodoros." For example, you might use a timer to work in 25-minute sprints, broken up by 5-minute breaks away from your workspace. Every fourth Pomodoro, take a longer break

7. Take Time Off

It’s important to take time for yourself. Long study sessions or chunks of time working on assignments should be broken up with time away from screens or textbooks. You need to give your mind a rest.

Many scholars have studied the impact of meditation on reducing the effects of stress-induced conditions such as back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, and insomnia. The National Institutes of Health gathered these studies and published them in “ Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need To Know .” 

8. Learn to Delegate

While your significant other, family members, or roommates won’t be able to study for you, you can ask them to help out more around the house while you continue your education. Freeing up a little more time by having others help with household chores and errands will ensure that you can stay focused on your studies and coursework or that you can take a well-deserved break.

Additional Time Management Tips for Online College Students

As an online college student, it’s vital that you implement good time management techniques. In fact, research shows that online students who are able to self-manage their behavior are less likely to drop out of their courses and have better academic outcomes.

While all of the above tips are applicable to online college students, there are a few additional considerations:

• Establish a study space . Having a designated spot for studying can help you avoid distractions, especially if you’re trying to study in parts of your home that are regularly used for entertainment.
• Get dressed. You don’t have to go all out, but just the act of getting dressed for the day can help your brain shift from lounging mode to working mode.
• Check in each day. Studying can become easy to dismiss when you're not physically going into your classes. Therefore, make sure to visit your virtual class chatrooms, chime in on conversations, and ask your instructor questions. This will keep you engaged in the class and on top of your assignments.
• Create physical reminders. Many people these days use their phone for reminders and calendars, but getting on your phone can lead to time-wasting activities. Instead, use a physical desk calendar, sticky notes, etc.

Time Management Resources

To create and manage lists, try these apps:.

Any.do – This easy-to-use desktop and mobile app keeps your to-do lists and calendar in one central location and syncs between devices and platforms.

Remember the Milk – This is another fun app that helps you manage to-do lists across multiple devices and users.

Todoist – This app balances power and simplicity, using natural language processing to simplify scheduling as well as integration with multiple apps so you can keep all of your tasks in a centralized location. 

To Increase Productivity, Try These Apps:

RescueTime – This app runs in the background of your desktop computer or smartphone, tracking how much time you spend on various sites and apps, and it then provides a detailed report on where you spend your time. Use this information to tweak your browsing habits and work more efficiently.

Streaks – Using gamification, this app helps you form good habits. It allows you to enter up to 24 tasks and how often they should be completed. As you mark off tasks, it tracks your completion rate and streak score.

Freedom – Reduce distractions and improve productivity with this app that blocks websites and apps on your smartphone or desktop computer.

To Set Goals, Try These Strategies:

Learn how to set SMART goals — those that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Learn more about goal setting from The National Society of Leadership and Success .

To Get More In-Depth Time Management Help, Try These Books:

• The Productivity Revolution: Control Your Time and Get Things Done! by Marc Reklau
• The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Ask for Help

Take advantage of academic resources that help busy college students balance studies, work, and life. Many online schools offer peer-to-peer and faculty support. For example, Purdue Global offers personalized student support through Academic Tutoring and Support Centers . 

To learn more about online programs offered by Purdue Global,  request more information today.

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8 Time Management Tips for Students

Don't let a hectic schedule get the better of you with these time management tips.

Lian Parsons

College can be a stressful time for many students and time management can be one of the most crucial — but tricky — skills to master.

Attending classes, studying for exams, making friends, and taking time to relax and decompress can quickly fill up your schedule. If you often find yourself wishing there were more hours in the day, this guide will offer time management tips for students so you can accomplish what you need to get done, have fun with your friends, and gain back some valuable time for yourself. 

1. Create a Calendar

Don’t be caught by surprise by an important paper due two days from now or a dinner with your family the same night you planned for a group study session. Create a calendar for yourself with all your upcoming deadlines, exams, social events, and other time commitments well in advance so you can see what’s coming up. 

Keep your calendar in a place where you can see it every day, such as in your planner or on your wall above your desk. If you prefer a digital calendar, check it first thing every day to keep those important events fresh and top-of-mind. For greater efficiency, make sure you can integrate it with your other tools, such as your email.

Digital calendar options include: 

• Google Calendar 
• Outlook Calendar
• Fantastical

2. Set Reminders

After you’ve created your calendar, give yourself periodic reminders to stay on track such as to complete a study guide in advance or schedule a meeting for a group project. Knowing deadlines is important; however, staying on top of the micro tasks involved in meeting those deadlines is just as important. You can set an alarm on your phone, write it down in a physical planner, or add an alert to your digital calendar. The reminders will help to prevent things from slipping through the cracks during particularly hectic days.

Make sure you’ve allotted enough time to study for that big test or write that final paper. Time management is all about setting yourself up for success in advance and giving yourself the tools to accomplish tasks with confidence. 

Read our blogs, Your Guide to Conquering College Coursework and Top 10 Study Tips to Study Like a Harvard Student , for more suggestions.

3. Build a Personalized Schedule

Each person’s day-to-day is different and unique to them, so make sure your schedule works for you. Once you’ve accounted for consistent commitments such as classes or your shifts at work, add in study sessions, extracurriculars, chores and errands, and social engagements.

Consider your personal rhythm. If you typically start your day energized, plan to study or accomplish chores then. If you fall into an afternoon slump, give yourself that time to take a guilt-free TV break or see friends.

Having a schedule that works for you will help maximize your time. Plus, knowing exactly when your laundry day is or when your intramural volleyball practice is every week will help you avoid trying to cram everything in one day (or running out of clean socks!)

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4. Use Tools That Work For You

Just like your calendar and schedule, the tools you use to keep you organized should be the right fit for you. Some students prefer physical planners and paper, while some prefer going totally digital. Your calendar can help you with long-term planning, but most of these tools are best for prioritizing from day to day.

Explore what best suits your needs with some of the following suggestions:

Planners can help you keep track of long-term deadlines, such as important essay deadlines, upcoming exams, and appointments and meetings. They often provide a monthly overview each month, as well as day-to-day planning sections, so you can stay ahead. 

• Papier – Offers a 20% student discount 

If your schedule is jam-packed and you have trouble figuring out what to do and when, scheduling day by day—and sometimes even hour by hour—can help you slot in everything you need to do with less stress.

• Structured app

Note Taking

From class to study sessions to errands, keeping track of everything can feel overwhelming. Keeping everything in one place, whether on the go or at your desk, can help keep you organized.

• Bullet journals

5. Prioritize

Sometimes there really is too much to do with too little time. In these instances, take just a few minutes to evaluate your priorities. Consider which deadlines are most urgent, as well as how much energy you have. 

If you are able to complete simple tasks first, try getting them out of the way before moving on to tasks that require a lot of focus. This can help to alleviate some of the pressure by checking a couple things off your to-do list without getting bogged down too early.

If you are struggling to fit everything in your schedule, consider what you can postpone or what you can simply say no to. Your friends will likely understand if you have to meet them for coffee another time in order to get in a final library session before a challenging exam. 

6. Make Time to Have Fun — And For Yourself

Time management isn’t just about getting work done. It’s also about ensuring that you can put yourself and your mental wellbeing first. Consistently including time for yourself in your schedule helps to keep your mental health and your life in balance. It can also be helpful to have things to look forward to when going through stressful periods.  

Whether it’s going for a bike ride along the river, spending time with your friends and family, or simply sleeping in on a Sunday, knowing you have space to relax and do things you enjoy can provide better peace of mind. 

7. Find Support 

Preparation and organization can sometimes only get you so far. Luckily, you have plenty of people rooting for your success. Keep yourself and your classmates on task by finding an accountability partner or study buddies. Remind your roommates when you need extra space to work on a paper. 

Your school’s academic resource center is also there to support you and point you in the right direction if you need additional help. Getting—and staying—organized is a collaborative effort and no one can do it on their own. 

8. Be Realistic and Flexible 

Sometimes unforeseen circumstances will come up or you simply may not be able to get to everything you set out to do in a given day. Be patient with yourself when things don’t go exactly to plan. When building your calendar, schedule, and priorities list, be realistic about what you can accomplish and include buffer time if you’re unsure. This can help to reduce obstacles and potential friction.

Time management isn’t just about sticking to a rigid schedule—it’s also about giving yourself space for change.

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About the Author

Lian Parsons is a Boston-based writer and journalist. She is currently a digital content producer at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education. Her bylines can be found at the Harvard Gazette, Boston Art Review, Radcliffe Magazine, Experience Magazine, and iPondr.

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College Assignments 101- Get More Done, In Less Time

Excelling in Your First-Year College Assignments: Strategies for Success

The first year of college is an exciting time filled with new experiences and opportunities. However, it also brings academic challenges, with a significant focus on assignments, papers, and projects. Successfully completing first-year college assignments requires more than just academic knowledge; it demands effective organizational skills, productivity tools, and time management techniques. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various strategies to help you excel in your first-year college assignments.

1: Staying Organized with MyStudyLife’s College Schedule Maker

One of the most crucial aspects of thriving in college is staying organized. With numerous courses, assignments, and deadlines to juggle, a study app like MyStudyLife can be your best friend.

MyStudyLife is a versatile app designed to help students manage their academic schedules and assignments effectively. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Input Your Class Schedule: Start by entering your class schedule into the app. This forms the foundation of your academic organization.
• Set Assignment Reminders: Use MyStudyLife to set reminders for assignment due dates. Customize these reminders to align with your study habits and priorities. Rely on these homework and school reminders to take the pressure off you a bit so you can focus on your workload rather than focusing on remembering what you need to do.
• Track Progress: MyStudyLife’s homework planner enables you to mark assignments as completed, providing a sense of accomplishment and helping you identify areas where you may be falling behind.
• Sync Across Devices: The app is available on various platforms and can be synchronized across devices, ensuring you have access to your schedule and assignments wherever you go.

Section 2: Leveraging AI Tools for School

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various aspects of our lives, including education. Harnessing AI tools can significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of your assignments. Though ChatGPT for school is a good option, there are other AI tools for students that you may find helpful.

• Grammarly: Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that can help you improve the quality of your assignments. It checks for grammar and spelling errors, suggests vocabulary enhancements, and provides real-time feedback as you write. By using Grammarly, you can ensure that your assignments are well-written and error-free.
• Citation Generators: Accurate citation is paramount in college assignments. AI-based citation generators like Zotero and EndNote can help you create precise citations and bibliographies in various styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.), saving you time and ensuring compliance with academic standards.
• Plagiarism Checkers: Plagiarism is a serious offense in academia. AI-driven plagiarism checkers like Turnitin and Copyscape can help you ensure the originality of your work by detecting unintentional plagiarism. Run your assignments through these tools before submission to avoid any issues.
• Study Recommender Systems: Some AI-driven platforms, such as Coursera and edX, offer personalized course recommendations based on your academic interests and career goals. Utilizing these platforms can expand your knowledge and provide additional resources for your assignments.

Section 3: Staying Focused with the Pomodoro Technique

Maintaining focus during study sessions is crucial for completing assignments efficiently. The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that can help you stay on track and prevent burnout.

To follow the Pomodoro technique to be more productive with your college assignments:

• Set a Timer: Choose a task you want to work on and set a timer for 25 minutes (one Pomodoro session).
• Work Intensely: During the 25-minute session, focus exclusively on your assignment. Avoid distractions such as social media, texts, or unrelated websites. Some students find it helpful to set specific music for studying during the focused times.
• Take a Short Break: When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break to stretch, relax, or grab a snack.
• Repeat: After the short break, start another Pomodoro session. Repeat this cycle, and after completing four Pomodoros, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.

The Pomodoro Technique helps you break down your assignments into manageable chunks, making them less overwhelming and more achievable. It also trains your brain to concentrate for short bursts, ultimately increasing your overall productivity.

Section 4: Additional Techniques for Assignment Success

While MyStudyLife, AI tools, and the Pomodoro Technique are valuable assets in your academic toolkit, several other techniques can further aid in completing first-year college assignments successfully:

• Prioritize Tasks: Not all assignments are equal in importance. Prioritize them based on deadlines and their weight in your course. Tackle high-priority tasks or time-consuming tasks like college essays first to ensure you meet essential deadlines.
• Create a To-Do List: Creating a to-do list is a powerful technique to combat procrastination and ensure productive assignment completion. Rather than succumbing to the temptation of easier tasks, prioritize your list by starting with the most challenging assignment. By addressing the toughest task first, you’ll build momentum, increase your confidence, and significantly reduce the risk of procrastinating on important assignments.
• Seek Help When Needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, tutors, or classmates for clarification or assistance with challenging assignments. Collaboration and seeking help are essential skills in academia.
• Time Management: Develop strong time management skills by setting realistic goals, allocating time for leisure activities, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Effective time management is key to academic success, so be sure to integrate the use of a daily school planner to track your schedule.
• Review and Revise: Always allocate time for reviewing and revising your assignments. This ensures your work is polished and free of errors, contributing to better grades and academic growth.

Succeeding in your first-year college assignments is not only about mastering academic content but also about developing strong organizational skills, utilizing productivity tools , and managing your time effectively. As you progress through your college journey, you’ll discover that assignments become more manageable as with time, you’ll naturally develop improved productivity and focus. Prioritization, seeking assistance when necessary, effective time management, taking care of your overall well-being, and consistently reviewing your work all contribute to this growth. Embrace these strategies, and you’ll find yourself excelling in your first-year college assignments and beyond as you continue to refine your skills.

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11 Effective Time Management Tips for College Students

By Carrie Mesrobian on 01/24/2019

Time management is a perennial concern for any student. Add work, family and social activities in the mix, and these responsibilities become even more challenging.

You’re not alone in attempting to balance a chaotic schedule in earning your degree. According to a 2015 study conducted by Georgetown University, 40 percent of students ages 16–29 and 76 percent of students ages 30–54 years old work while in school. 1 As you might imagine, if you’re a student with competing priorities, it’s incredibly important to focus on time management in college.

So, what can you do to better manage your time? We’ve compiled some excellent advice that can help you keep on top of your studies.

11 Time management tips for college students

Whether you’re fresh out of high school or working two jobs while raising a family, these time management strategies and tips for college students will help keep you organized and your assignments on track.

1. Record all due dates and deadlines

Say you’re sitting in class ready to leave when the teacher makes an announcement. There’s homework due in three days and an exam in one week. As you leave class, you make a mental note to remember those days.

How often has that happened to you, only for you to panic the night before your homework is due because you forgot? Save yourself the late-night scramble and write everything down as you hear it.

“Even if you think you’ll remember a due date or something you have to do at work, write it down,” says Rebecca Holley, a full-time student and marketing associate at Edvisors .

Holley recommends going through course calendars and syllabi at the beginning of the semester and writing down all the important dates. Knowing what’s coming up will help you better prepare.

2. Create a routine

Getting into a routine can reduce uncertainty about when and how you will fit in homework and study time on top of school and work. Create a routine at the beginning of the semester so you can adjust to it early, and then see if you have leftover time for other engagements.

Holley plans her day around work and school.

“It’s not always perfect—sometimes you might have to stay up late or miss out on something fun to keep up with homework—but that’s just how it is,” Holley says. “It won’t last forever and crossing that finish line will make it so worth it.”

3. Use your tech for good

With millions of apps and games at your fingertips, your smartphone can seem like more of a time waster than a time manager. However, with some self-discipline, you can transform your phone or mobile device into an on-the-go calendar and scheduler. Set reminders to help you keep due dates and other important commitments in mind as you go through your day. Apps can be helpful too, with project management and productivity apps like Trello ® serving as digital to-do lists.

Tempted to check social media regularly during your study time? Try one of the many apps that block social media and other distractions.

But don’t stop with your phone. Your computer and tablet accounts can also be organized to minimize potential distractions.

“Create three different users: one for personal use, one for work and one for school,” advises David Bitton, chief marketing officer at DoorLoop . “On your work and school user accounts, have only the essentials you'll need to execute work and school-related tasks. Everything else relating to leisure and entertainment should be under your personal account. The fewer distractions you allow into your routine, the better you will manage your time.”

4. Break down your workload with the Pomodoro® Technique

If you find tech increasingly getting in your way however, peer tutor and Nursing student at Rasmussen University Kristin Irvin recommends trying the Pomodoro Technique.

Invented by an Italian developer named Francesco Cirillo, this technique is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer Cirillo used to time his sessions ( pomodoro is the Italian word for tomato).

“The Pomodoro technique is like a high intensity-interval training (HIIT) workout,” explains Irvine. “First, you choose the task you would like to work on, set a timer for 25 minutes and begin working on the selected task with no distractions. Once the timer goes off, set a timer for 5 minutes and take a break. Repeat these steps as many times as your like.”

Of course, you don’t really need a tomato-shaped timer to stick to this approach—any device that counts down from 25 minutes will get the job done. Even better? For those who like to have music while studying, you can even find playlists that stick to the 25-minute time allotment.

5. Take note-taking to the next level

Many of us take notes during lectures but leave it at that. Frank Buck, educational consultant at Frank Buck Consulting Inc , suggests students try thinking of their lecture notes as more of a rough outline or first draft.

“During class, don't worry about neatness, form or spelling,” says Buck. “The magic happens that evening when you interact with those notes for a second time within the same day.”

According to Buck, most forgetting happens within the first 24 hours of being introduced to new material. Re-copying and re-organizing those notes will increase your retention and understanding of new concepts. While doing this, you also pause to consider anything that didn’t make sense during the original lecture.

“Look it up in the textbook or perform a quick Google search to clear the confusion,” Buck advises. “Double-check spelling as needed. This practice is like spinning straw into gold. When it's time to study for the test, the notes are pristine. The time required for study is lessened.”

6. Examine and limit potential distractions

Being realistic about your habits and preferences not only helps you establish a routine that works for you, but it can also help you when it comes to your distractions.

“If you tend to work best at night, there's no use trying to get all your work done in the morning,” says Mike Grossman, CEO of GoodHire .®

Grossman suggests getting a clear sense of what activities you gravitate to when you don’t feel like working, whether that’s deep cleaning your study space, scrolling through social media or making plans with a friend who drops by. Changing your study location, putting your phone in another room or just closing the door can be the preventative measures you need to take to avoid wasting precious time.

7. Ask for help

One bit of time management advice that is often overlooked is to ask for help, says Stephen Light, chief marketing officer of Nolah Mattress .

“Immediately contact a professor if you don’t understand something,” Light advises. “Some feel awkward or embarrassed about asking questions, but it’ll be worth it down the line. If you’re struggling to understand a concept or lesson and don’t ask for help, you could waste valuable hours trying to figure it out for yourself.”

If you’re feeling like your coursework covers concepts you already understand, it’s a good idea to check if the program you’re in offers competency-based education courses that can provide additional flexibility on where you spend your time in a course.

But time management means nothing if you’re physically, emotionally and psychologically drained. Recognizing when you’re overwhelmed and asking for help will serve you better in the long run. This may mean dropping an activity or reducing your credit load. Many schools also offer tutoring and other kinds of student support , so checking into any of those resources available to you is a must.

8. Keep yourself healthy

This may not seem obvious but looking after your health can actually play a huge role in successfully managing your time while in college. Practicing regular exercise can keep your energy levels up, resulting in a more engaged mind when doing schoolwork. Many also assert that getting adequate sleep at night can save college students time—this not only helps you avoid the time taken for afternoon naps, but it also can increase your alertness and decrease your stress levels.

9. Stay organized

Keeping your schoolwork organized can be a huge factor in saving you some time throughout the week, especially if you’re taking more than one class at a time. If you have separate binders, notebooks and folders for each class, you’ll quickly be able to find that sheet of notes for next week’s test or the article you planned to reference for your big research paper.

Avoiding clutter isn’t just important when organizing your notes and hand-outs. Be sure to keep your computer desktop organized in a way that always allows you to locate the files you’ll need for each particular class.

10. Checklists are your friend

Printing or writing out checklists for each class or each day of the week can be a helpful way of remembering everything you need to get done. Try color-coordinating tasks by importance or subject (such as school or work) to help you better visualize what needs to get done.

“Make a checklist of all the major homework tasks for the day or week,” says Vasiliki Baskos, teacher and founder of Learn Greek Online . “Prioritize them so that in case you run out of time, the less-important tasks will remain unfinished.”

11. Find a balance

Life’s stress happens to everyone. Being in school is no exception. Work gets hectic, family obligations increase and social activities become unruly. In times like those, it’s good to step back and take a deep breath.

“Ask your family and friends to support you during these challenging times of juggling work and school, but also give them permission to confront you if they think you’re driving yourself—and them—crazy at times,” says Anita Thomas, senior vice president at Edvisors.

Giving yourself time to recharge is also an essential part of effective time management.

“Many people forget to make time for themselves, and this is a big mistake,” says Cathy Mills, director at Net Influencer . Mills says that this time need not be lengthy—15 or 30 minutes a day—but it should involve doing activities you enjoy: exercising, watching an episode of a favorite TV show, listening to music, taking a walk.

“These activities that you enjoy will be a great motivation,” Mills adds. “You will see that you will be much more productive and manage your time better.”

Put these college time management strategies to use

Take the advice of experts and students who have been there. See if you can calm that chaotic schedule for a stress-free college degree. Of course, it’ll take more than just solid time management skills to succeed in college. Our article “ How to Get Ahead in College: 5 Tips for Success ” highlights some of the other things you should do to stay on track for success.

1 Anthony P. Carnevale, Nicole Smith and Michelle Melton, “Learning While Earning: The New Normal” Georgetown University, Center on Education and the Workforce [Information accessed December 2021] https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/Working-Learners-Report.pdf

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in 2014 and has since been updated to include information relevant to 2022. Trello is a registered trademark of Trello, Inc. Pomodoro technique is a registered trademark of Francesco Cirillo. GoodHire is a registered trademark of Inflection, LLC.

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3.2 Time Management in College

Questions to Consider:

• Is time management different in college from what I am used to?
• How different is college schoolwork from high school work?

You may find that time management in college is very different from anything you have experienced previously. For the last 12 years, almost all your school time was managed by educators and your parents. What you did and when you did it was controlled by others. In many cases, even after-school time was set by scheduled activities (such as athletics) and by nightly homework that was due the next day.

In the workplace, the situation is not very different, with activities and time on task being monitored by the company and its management. This is so much a part of the working environment that many companies research how much time each task should take, and they hold employees accountable for the time spent on these job functions. In fact, having these skills will help you stand out on the job and in job interviews.

In college, there is a significant difference because a great deal of time management is left up to you. While it is true that there are assignment due dates and organized classroom activities, learning at the college level requires more than just the simple completion of work. It involves decision-making and the ability to evaluate information. This is best accomplished when you are an active partner in your own learning activities.

As an example of how this works, think about a college assignment that involves giving a classroom presentation. To complete the assignment, you are given time to research and reflect on the information found. As a part of the assignment, you must reach your own conclusions and determine which information that you have found is best suited for the presentation. While the date of the actual presentation and how long it will last are usually determined by the instructor, how much time you spend gathering information, the sources you use, and how you use them are left to you.

What Students Say

• Extremely easy
• Somewhat easy
• Somewhat difficult
• Extremely difficult
• I use Google calendar
• I use the calendar on my phone
• I use a paper/notebook planner
• I use the calendar on my learning management system
• I use another app or system
• I don't use any type of planner or app
• My ability to predict how much time my tasks will take.
• My ability to balance various obligations.
• My ability to avoid procrastination.
• My ability to limit distractions.

You can also take the anonymous What Students Say surveys to add your voice to this textbook. Your responses will be included in updates.

Students offered their views on these questions, and the results are displayed in the graphs below.

How difficult is it for you to keep track of multiple tasks over the course of a term?

Do you use a particular app to help you manage your time?

Rank the following in terms of what you would most like to improve regarding your time management skills.

You Have Lots of Time to Manage

For college-level learning, this approach is important enough that you can expect to spend much more time on learning activities outside the classroom than you will in the classroom. In fact, the estimated time you should spend will be at least two hours of outside learning for every one hour of lecture. Some weeks may be more intense, depending on the time of the semester and the courses you are taking. If those hours are multiplied over several courses in a given session, you can see how there is a significant amount of time to manage. Unfortunately, many students do not always take this into consideration, and they spend far less time than is needed to be successful. The results of poor time management are often a shock to them.

“In college, as an active participant in your own education, what you do and when you do it is largely determined by you.”

The Nature of What You Have to Do Has Changed

Returning to our example of the classroom-presentation assignment, you can see that the types of learning activities in college can be very different from what you have experienced previously. While there may have been similar assignments in high school, such as presentations or written papers, the level of expectation with length and depth is significantly different in college. This point is made very clear when comparing facts about the requirements of high school work to the type of work students produce in college. One very strong statistic that underscores this comes from a study conducted by the Pew Research Center. They found that 82 percent of teens report that their typical high school writing assignments were only a single paragraph to one page in length. 2 (Writing Technology and Teens, 2004, Pew Research Center) This is in stark contrast to a number of sources that say that writing assignments in lower-level college courses are usually 5–7 pages in length, while writing assignments in upper-level courses increase to 15–20 pages.

It is also interesting to note that the amount of writing done by a college student can differ depending on their program of study. The table below indicates the estimated average amount of writing assigned in several disciplines. To estimate the number of pages of assigned writing, the average number of writing assignments of a given page length was multiplied by an approximate number of pages for the assignment type (see Estimating Number of Pages Written for calculation details).

High school homework often consists of worksheets or tasks based on reading or classroom activities. In other words, all the students are doing the same tasks, at relatively the same time, with little autonomy over their own education.

Using the earlier example of the presentation assignment, not only will what you do be larger in scale, but the depth of understanding and knowledge you will put into it will be significantly more than you may have encountered in previous assignments. This is because there are greater expectations required of college graduates in the workplace. Nearly any profession that requires a college degree has with it a level of responsibility that demands higher-level thinking and therefore higher learning. An often-cited example of this is the healthcare professional. The learning requirements for that profession are strict because we depend on those graduates for our health and, in some cases, our lives. While not every profession may require the same level of study needed for healthcare, most do require that colleges maintain a certain level of academic rigor to produce graduates who are competent in their fields.

• 2 http://www.pewinternet.org/2008/04/24/writing-technology-and-teens/
• 3 http://nsse.indiana.edu/html/sample_analyses/amount_of_writing.cfm

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Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/college-success/pages/1-introduction

• Authors: Amy Baldwin
• Publisher/website: OpenStax
• Book title: College Success
• Publication date: Mar 27, 2020
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/college-success/pages/1-introduction
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I'll send you an academic planner and more of these awesome articles!

Ultimate Guide on Time Management for College Students

I won’t waste no time! Here’s how to get your schedule set and your life organized in 5 minutes!

We’re gonna use Google Calendar but feel free to use iCal, a planner, or even a piece of paper. Okay Start Your Timer NOW and get ready for the SparkNotes on how to master your time management!

What does Time Management for College Students Usually Look Like?

I usually advise students to make sure they aren’t taking on a heavy course load. Many students have to balance work and school, but if you have the choice do not spread yourself too thin with other activities unless you know you’re ready.

For example, during the first 2 quarters of college I focused solely on school and didn’t add anything else to my plate. I experimented with different study strategies until I got the grades I wanted, only exploring extracurriculars after gaining confidence in my academics.

Basically organizing your hours and taking control of your time so you don’t miss a single class or appointment! This ultimately frees up more time for yourself!

Quick Guide for Time Management for College Students

1. use a calendar system.

Whether it’s a physical planner or an app like Google Calendar, you have to organize your most important on it to time manage effectively. Put all your mandatory requirements like class, work, research, job interviews, or anything else you CAN NOT MISS. 

This lets you visualize the bare minimum of what you have to attend during the week.

2. Next input your estimated study hours.

Be specific with what you will do. For example, don’t just write “do chemistry book problems”, instead write something like “Chem Questions 1-20″ to assign clear study goals. If you haven’t yet figured how to take notes and study in class, here’s a detailed how to do this in our Best Note Taking Strategies article.

By doing this you are setting out realistic, accomplishable goals for yourself. Little by little, meeting these goals will ensure you are prepared for your next exam. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the simplicity of accomplishing these goals will help you feel on track.

3. Be careful of overestimating how many hours you need to study.

Say your goal is to finish 20 Chem questions before next lecture. If you allocate an excessive amount of time to this, say 5 hours, you run the risk of working at a slower pace to fit that time span.

Instead, if you know finishing 20 questions should only take 3 hours, then challenge yourself to make it work.

On the other hand, try and leave some wiggle room. Sometimes assignments are trickier and longer than expected. Aim to finish on time, but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t. Instead, you may want to allocate time later or on a different day to catch up on everything.

4. Finally, take control of your free time.

Having time to recharge is just as important as studying. At this point you should be able to visualize how much time during the week is unoccupied by commitments.

Hopefully, your schedule shows that you have a little more free time than you thought. I highly recommend scheduling free time every day as it will not only make you happy, but also help you be more productive when it comes time to grind again.

Use that time to gym, socialize, watch TV, or whatever leaves you feeling recharged.

3 Easy (and Detailed) Steps to Improve Time Management for College Students

Step 1: copy and paste your class schedule.

Get your schedule from your school’s websites (here’s mine): Okay now copy and paste it onto your calendar!

This was my first week of college so I had a scholarship banquet and only a few classes. Don’t worry, I made sure to add my classes as you’ll see on my other schedule.

Here’s a look into what a real college students schedule looks like. Notice how I listed every class out. If you look at what time management habits other college students practice, this should look similar.

Your schedule should look something like this after your done! I even added in my classes and tutoring sessions.

Don’t forget to add reminders! I like to set a reminder for 15 minutes before the class starts. Gives me enough time to skate or bike there in case I forget or get distracted.

Step 2: Add All your To-Dos

Here you add all your extracurriculars, your appointments, work shifts, everything. I also color code because the colors help keep track for me.

I know this looks overwhelming, but you don’t have to get crazy with your calendar. Time management is about making the most out of the hours in your day.

I’ve added my color scheme below: Red: Midterm, Final, or Practice Exam Study Time Pink: Study Time Orange: Any Chem or Biochem class Green: Any Bio Class Yellow: Tutoring or Review Session Turquoise: Meals Light Blue: GE Dark Blue: Work or meetings Purple: Miscellaneous

Time management in college is all about organizing your weekly life. However, I’m insane and went overboard with my color coding.

So feel free to change the colors however you like. You can simplify your color scheme to something that looks like this: Dark Blue: Class Pink: Study Time Yellow: Tutoring/Review Sessions Purple: Eating/Work/Miscellaneous/Birthdays/etc

Step 3: Take Over Your Free Time

This is what my college time management schedule looks like. Yessir, colorful!

Now that you’ve got the basics down for your time management in college, take control of your free time.

With everything mapped out you can clearly see all your available free time. Basically all the empty space in your calendar is time reserved for you!

Go hang out with friends, call your mom, catch up on work.

Hopefully we got that all figured out in 5 minutes!

Bonus Time Efficient Tip

I also recommend supplementing your calendar with a To-Do List. Easy way to quickly visualize what needs to get done. For example:

This acts as a snapshot of my current responsibilities. Then, I would go and schedule each of these into my calendar so that I have a goal to accomplish them by a certain date.

3 of Best Hacks for Time Management. For College Students, these are Game Changing!

The all or none time management rule.

This rule lies at the center of being productive while balancing a busy lifestyle. The basic premise is, commit to focusing 100% on whatever activity is outlined in your calendar. If you have 4 hours allocated to studying, focus 100% on that. No checking your phone (unless on a scheduled break), no socializing, no watching TV… etc.

Then, once your calendar says it’s time for free time, focus 100% on that. Be present in the moment and enjoy it to the fullest.

The reason for this is it help maximize your efficiency at both studying and enjoying time off.

For example, if you are casually catching up on book problems while watching TV you’re doing it wrong. You won’t be able to work through your assignment as effectively – it’ll be slower and the material won’t stick well.

But you also won’t enjoy your show to the same extent – since you’re studying at the same time it won’t feel like a break and you won’t leave feeling recharged.

Don’t try and multi-task! Fully enjoying your free time is also key to avoiding burnout.

Minimizing Distractions

So how do we go about being 100% focused on any given task? Start with finding an environment that suits your needs. Need to catch up on lecture slides?

Quiet library room might be the move. Need to talk through difficult concepts? Team up with a few classmates and find a study room. I recommend capping study groups at 3 or max 4 because the larger the group, the easier it is to get off-topic.

Next, it helps immensely to tuck your phone away and put it on silent. Only check it on scheduled breaks, allowing you to remain focused during study time.

Speaking of which:

Learn to Schedule Breaks With The Pomodoro Technique

Our brains have limited attention spans. Nobody can focus on studying for hours on end and remain efficient. We need scheduled breaks. The Pomodoro technique builds in study intervals along with break intervals. Here’s how to do it:

• ID a study task
• Set a timer to 30 min
• Work on task with intense focus (minimize distractions)
• Take a 5-10 min break
• After 3-4 cycles take a longer break (20-30 min)

Experiment with different lengths of study time vs different lengths of break time to find what works for you. Overall this helps fight procrastination, build up momentum, and study for longer periods of time without burning out.

Ending The Day by 5pm

An awesome schedule hack to try is picking a time, say 5-6pm, and committing to taking the rest of the day off after. This means completing all your commitments before evening.

I tried this for a quarter and loved it, although it may not work for everyone. On days I worked 8am-5pm I found I still needed to study at night to keep up, so I switched plans. But if your schedule is a little more flexible it’s definitely worth a shot!

During the busiest quarter of my college career I was taking 20 units, working 18 hours per week, volunteering 4-6 hours per week, leading 2 student organizations, and conducting 6-9 hours of research per week. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to end the quarter with straight A’s due to highly effective time management & study skills. 

Best, Byron

UPDATE: Nov. 8, 2021 – I still use these tips today in Med School while I attend Georgetown University. Trust! These tips are still game changers, even today!

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5 time management tips for college students

Time is valuable. It's a precious, finite resource you must learn to balance and use wisely. Each day delivers the same 24-hour window in which to make the most of life’s demands: family commitments, work, school, social activities, to-do lists, and yes, sleep. So instead of counting the minutes make every minute count. Follow these simple time management tips to ensure that you are well prepared and set up for success in your studies.

1. Make a plan and set realistic goals.

Busy schedules and ever-present distractions can prevent you from checking tasks off your academic to-do list, so be sure to plan ahead. Set aside specific hours for school work, and give yourself the space to accomplish mini goals.

Schedule tasks . Consider creating a calendar to schedule activities and plan your tasks. Highlight due dates for writing assignments ― from initial drafts through final submission. Make note of any scheduled connections, such as Zoom meetings - potentially for study groups - or virtual office hours with professors and advisors.

You should also be mindful to set aside time for yourself, which can include moments for self-care, fun activities and time with family and friends. Find the little moments to renew your energy so you’re not just moving from task to task.

Stay realistic . It’s important to set attainable goals for yourself. Big assignments require a lot of focused time and energy. When you factor in your other work-life responsibilities, you can start to feel overwhelmed or burnt out. That’s why it's helpful to organize priorities and think about what is reasonable and attainable. Setting realistic goals for yourself is the first step toward accomplishing them.

Find a schedule or system to use that works for you. It can be a note, memo on your phone, list on your computer or calendar on your fridge. It needs to be visible and easy to follow.

Monique Hebert, a film and media studies student from Washington, recommends setting small goals throughout the week to stay on track and complete assignments without being overwhelmed.

“Learning to juggle things is always going to be difficult, but setting aside time goes such a long way,” she said, adding that she utilizes a planner to map her schedule out.

2. Commit to daily check-ins.

Technology makes our lives easier. It provides 24/7 access to learning, reminders, communication and resources for academic and social needs. It’s easier than ever to check-in and stay on track. Be sure to set a daily reminder on your phone to log in to your student email or online discussion threads to stay current with your schoolwork. Daily check-ins create a more manageable workflow and prepare you for upcoming assignments and discussions, so you’re not caught off guard if there’s a change in the syllabus or scope of a project.

3. Set (and celebrate) mini milestones.

The main goal is clear: Earn your degree. But a lot happens along the way. Setting mini milestones, and having mini celebrations, should be part of the process. These smaller, short-term goals can be anything from achieving an uninterrupted study session to writing the first few pages of a paper.

Vicki Sheerin, an ASU Online student from central Florida, uses this system to achieve consistent success in her health sciences program .

“You have large goals and things you want to accomplish, but you can’t do it all at once,” she said. “You have to do it in small chunks. Having a system, keeping up with it, and being consistent in what has to be done makes things easier. I feel so proud of myself for [having] this system of organization.”

There’s power in celebrating progress, and you may be surprised at what you can accomplish when there’s a reward to validate your hard work. Remember, all your little successes get you closer to the big reward: graduation.

How to catch up in an online course

4. identify (and avoid) distractions..

Successful time management in college starts with understanding time mismanagement. Even the smallest distractions, when compounded throughout the day, can add up to significant time loss. Luckily, there’s an easy way to identify these distractions and make a plan to avoid them.

First, create a comprehensive list of your daily activities. Capture everything from sleep time to family time to screen time. You want to better understand how much valuable time you may be wasting on avoidable distractions. Here are a few common culprits:

• Social media : Americans spent more than 1,300 hours on social media in 2020, as reported by Forbes. That endless scrolling adds up to time that could have been spent doing other things, like studying. Be mindful of your social media use and think about limiting your daily and weekly hours to avoid distractions.
• Videos and games : Smartphones offer us expansive capabilities that we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago. They’re also an endless source of entertainment. Apps, games, notifications and a sense of constant connection can redirect your attention when you’re trying to focus on coursework. Consider scheduling time to set your smartphone to silent or turn off the wifi while you need to focus on your assignments.
• Meetings : For the working professional, meetings are often unavoidable. Make the best use of the time by ensuring there’s a clear agenda for everyone to review before the meeting starts. Stick to the allotted time and excuse yourself if the meeting runs over. Your time is valuable. Protect it.
• Emails and chats : Your education takes brain power and concentration. Email and chats can wait. Dedicate certain times in your day to review missed correspondence and reply. It could be once in the morning and once at night, or maybe even once every few hours, depending on your comfort level.
• Multitasking : When you try to juggle multiple assignments and tasks, you’ll likely end up being less productive. Let yourself focus on one activity at a time — whether it’s writing a paper or reading your kids a bedtime story. Concentrate on what needs to get done in the present moment, rather than what’s waiting for you several weeks from now. After all, your plan-ahead schedule already sets you up for success on that front.

5. Master the art of saying “no”

You’re on a mission to strike a balance between earning your degree and having a life. And it’s easy to take on too much. There will be times when it’s in your best interest to turn down a social invitation to complete an assignment. Or perhaps you say no to being a parent volunteer in your child’s class for one semester so you can focus on studying. It’s really OK. The important people in your life will understand. And you can always set dedicated time — using the schedule we talked about — to plan activities with friends and family that support your study habits rather than distract you from them.

Resources to help you build good time management skills

Helping you build time management skills is an essential part of the ASU Online experience. When you know how to successfully balance your obligations in a healthy way, you can reach your full potential — personally, professionally and academically.

As an ASU Online student, you’ll have access to a support network that provides tailored guidance to help you balance your big goals with your busy life. Our comprehensive support network offers students time management coaches, available to support you from orientation to graduation, that provide time management advice and best practices to help you stay on track.

Can I get my graduate degree while working full time?

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Get it done: The Importance of Completing Assignments on Time

Completing assignments on time is more than just meeting a requirement or fulfilling an academic obligation; it carries significant weight in the realm of education. Timely assignment completion plays a crucial role in ensuring academic success and fostering a positive learning environment. 

It requires planning, organization, and prioritization of tasks. By adhering to deadlines, students learn to allocate their time wisely, juggle multiple assignments, and balance their academic workload. These skills are not only valuable during their educational journey but also in future endeavors where time management plays a vital role.

Getting work done on time helps reduce stress and anxiety levels too. Procrastination and last-minute rushes can lead to heightened stress, negatively impacting the quality of work and overall well-being. When assignments are completed on time, students can approach their tasks with a clear mind, devote adequate attention to detail, and produce their best work.

Benefits of Timely Assignment Completion

Finishing assignments contributes to improved time management skills. By adhering to deadlines, students learn to plan and allocate their time effectively. They develop the ability to break down tasks into manageable parts, set priorities, and create realistic schedules.

Reduced stress

Procrastination and the pressure of looming deadlines can lead to heightened stress and feelings of overwhelm. However, when students complete assignments within the given timeframe, they experience a sense of accomplishment, alleviating stress and promoting a more positive mindset. Reduced stress levels allow students to focus better, maintain clarity of thought, and produce higher quality work.

Enhanced Learning

When assignments are submitted on time, students have the opportunity to receive timely feedback from instructors. This feedback allows for a deeper understanding of the subject matter, clarification of concepts, and the chance to address any misconceptions or gaps in knowledge. By engaging in this feedback loop, students can consolidate their learning, reinforce key concepts, and apply their newfound knowledge to future assignments and examinations.

Positive impression on instructors

Consistently meeting deadlines demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and respect for academic requirements. Instructors are more likely to view students who complete assignments on time as motivated and dedicated learners. This positive impression can lead to increased support, guidance, and opportunities for academic growth, such as participation in research projects, recommendation letters, or mentorship opportunities.

Time Management Strategies for Assignment Completion

Breaking down assignments into manageable tasks.

One effective strategy for managing assignments is to break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Rather than tackling the entire assignment at once, divide it into smaller components or steps. This approach helps prevent overwhelm and allows you to focus on one task at a time, making the overall assignment feel more achievable.

Creating a Schedule and Setting Milestones

Establishing a schedule and setting milestones is crucial for effective time management. Allocate specific time slots for working on your assignments and create a realistic timeline for completing each task. Setting milestones helps you track your progress and provides a sense of accomplishment as you reach each milestone. Additionally, incorporating regular breaks and allowing for flexibility within your schedule ensures that you maintain focus and avoid burnout.

Prioritizing Tasks Based on Importance and Deadline

Prioritization is a key aspect of time management when it comes to assignment completion. Evaluate the importance and urgency of each task, considering factors such as due dates, weightage, and their contribution to your overall grade. Prioritize tasks accordingly, focusing on those with closer deadlines or higher importance. 

Utilizing Tools and Techniques for Time Management

Various tools and techniques are available to aid in time management for assignment completion. Utilize digital or physical planners, calendars, or task management apps to organize your assignments, deadlines, and milestones. Consider using productivity techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in focused bursts followed by short breaks, to maximize productivity and maintain concentration.

Remember, finding a time management approach that suits your personal style and preferences is key. Experiment with different strategies and refine your approach as you learn what works best for you.

Tips for Meeting Assignment Deadlines

Setting realistic timeframes.

One of the most important tips for meeting assignment deadlines is to set realistic timeframes. Evaluate the scope and requirements of each assignment and allocate sufficient time for research, planning, writing, and revising.

Avoiding Distractions and Proactive Time Management

Distractions can significantly impact your ability to meet assignment deadlines. Create a conducive work environment by minimizing distractions such as social media notifications, email alerts, or noisy surroundings. Practice proactive time management techniques like time blocking, where you allocate specific periods for focused work and eliminate potential distractions during those times.

Seeking Clarification and Asking for Help

When faced with assignment tasks that seem unclear or confusing, seeking clarification is essential. Reach out to your instructors, teaching assistants, or classmates to clarify any doubts or uncertainties regarding the assignment requirements. By seeking clarification early on, you can avoid misunderstandings and ensure that you are on the right track.

Proofreading and Editing for Quality

To ensure that your assignments meet the required standards and are of high quality, allocate time for proofreading and editing. After completing the initial draft, take a break and then review your work with a fresh perspective. Look for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and overall coherence. Make necessary revisions and edits to improve the clarity, organization, and flow of your assignment. Taking the time to proofread and edit ensures that you submit polished work that reflects your best efforts.

By implementing these tips for meeting assignment deadlines, you can enhance your productivity, minimize stress, and increase your chances of submitting high-quality work. Remember, effective time management and proactive planning are key to successfully meeting assignment deadlines and achieving academic success.

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The great American writer Mark Twain once said,

“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done the day after tomorrow just as well.”

When we live by that advice, though, we sometimes find ourselves chugging concentrated coffee at 2 a.m. in a valiant effort to stay awake and finish a huge project that’s due in 6 hours.

As productive as I’d like to think I am… I’ve been there.

If you’ve been there as well – or maybe if you’re there right now – this week’s video is for you. I’m not going to waste time lecturing you about the importance of planning, there are other videos for that – let’s just look at the best plan of attack when you find yourself in a time crunch.

Now, we’re going to look at some specific concepts related to planning and willpower in a minute – The Impact Effort Matrix, Ego Depletion – but let’s start with the foundation: location selection .

I think your location is vital when you’re working under pressure, and personally I like to pick my study locations based on their “vibe” – that is, what’s going on around me. I tend to favor coffee shops and libraries – I still go to my university library at times even though I’ve graduated – because I work well when I’m surrounded by other people who are also working. Also, close proximity to caffeine is helpful.

The most important part of location selection, though, is avoiding the “call of the pillow”. When you’re studying in a time crunch, it’s likely you’ll be doing it late into the night. That’s why you want to get as far away from your bed as possible.

The later it gets, the more you’ll start rationalizing how good a nap might be and the more you’ll start deciding that certain parts of your project don’t matter. So pick a place where going to bed would be more effort than finishing the next part of your project.

That piece of business taken care of, it’s now time to plan your efforts . Before you start working, take some time to break down your workload into individual parts. Then, it’s time to figure out which ones should get the bulk of your attention.

Dwight Eisenhower often remarked that,

“What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.”

In the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , Steven Covey popularized the “Eisenhower Decision Matrix”, which is based on this principle. In the matrix, tasks are categorized based on their importance and urgency.

When you’re in a time crunch, though, everything can seem urgent – so importance is the factor you should focus on in this case. To that end, let’s use a similar but more fitting tool – the Impact/Effort matrix .

Here, tasks in a project are given scores based on their impact to the overall success of the project and the effort it will take to implement them. To illustrate how this works, here’s an example from my life.

When I was a senior in college, one of my final projects was building a web app. My idea was called AMPanic, and it was an app that would require you to log in and tell if you’re awake before a certain time – otherwise it would send an embarrassing email to someone. This was actually the precursor to the early wake-up system I use now, which I detailed in this video .

With this project, though, I found myself in a time crunch trying to finish it. So I broke my project down into different parts that I’d have to code and prioritized them using this Impact/Effort matrix.

The core functionality – the code that would let you set an alarm and an email message, the code that would schedule and send the email on time, and the function to cancel the email if the user checked in on time in the morning – those required a lot of effort to build, but they also had the highest impact on the project.

On the other hand, some parts of the site – like the About, FAQ, and Contact pages – didn’t have as high of an impact, but they were low-effort tasks. Since they didn’t take much time to create, I made sure to include them to make the site look more complete.

The main element of the site that I chose NOT to focus on was the user registration and login system. A proper one needs functions for resetting passwords, but I decided that the core alarm setting functionality would be more important to my grade since that was the point of the whole project. So I used a login system I had written for an old project and didn’t bother creating a way to reset passwords.

In the end, it was a worthwhile decision; the alarm system was more advanced than most of the other projects in the class, so I ended up getting an A.

To assign Impact/Effort scores to each component of your project – or each assignment if you’re juggling multiple – consider the following factors:

• What the core deliverables are
• The grading criteria for the project, what which components count for the most points
• What percentage of your grade each assignment counts for
• How much each component will contribute to the knowledge you need to have for tests, which usually impact your grade the most

Once you’e assigned scores to each component, I think it’s a good idea to tackle the ones with the highest impact and highest effort first. This is due to Ego Depletion – a phenomenon explained in Daniel Kahneman’s book Thinking, Fast and Slow . Citing research from the psychologist Roy Baumeister, he reveals that:

“…an effort of will or self-control is tiring; if you have had to force yourself to do something, you are less willing or less able to exert self-control when the next challenge comes around.”

Use the bulk of your willpower to complete the harder tasks first; that way, you’ll only have to deal with low-effort, high-impact tasks when you’re feeling drained.

That’s where we’re going to close for this week. If you select your location well, plan based on impact and effort, and tackle your tasks in a way that utilizes your willpower effectively, you’ll make if through your time crunch in one piece.

Need help finishing a personal project you’ve been procrastinating on? Read this next .

If you’re unable to see the video above, you can view it on YouTube .

Looking for More Study Tips?

You’ll find more tips on planning, study environments, and maintaining willpower in my free 100+ page book called 10 Steps to Earning Awesome Grades (While Studying Less) .

The book covers topics like:

• Defeating procrastination
• Getting more out of your classes
• Taking great notes
• Reading your textbooks more efficiently

…and several more. It also has a lot of recommendations for tools and other resources that can make your studying easier.

If you’d like a free copy of the book, let me know where I should send it:

I’ll also keep you updated about new posts and videos that come out on this blog (they’ll be just as good as this one or better) 🙂

Video Notes

• Eisenhower Decision Matrix
• Impact/Effort Matrix
• Ego Depletion

What other topics related to working under tight deadlines would you like to see covered in the future?

Do you have any additional tips? Share them below 🙂

If you liked this video, subscribe on YouTube to stay updated and get notified when new ones are out!

Images: Eisenhower , Twain , Twain living room , James Cameron , ocean trench , Everest , wall of books , Big Ben , coffee shop

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How to write the best college assignments.

By Lois Weldon

When it comes to writing assignments, it is difficult to find a conceptualized guide with clear and simple tips that are easy to follow. That’s exactly what this guide will provide: few simple tips on how to write great assignments, right when you need them. Some of these points will probably be familiar to you, but there is no harm in being reminded of the most important things before you start writing the assignments, which are usually determining on your credits.

The most important aspects: Outline and Introduction

Preparation is the key to success, especially when it comes to academic assignments. It is recommended to always write an outline before you start writing the actual assignment. The outline should include the main points of discussion, which will keep you focused throughout the work and will make your key points clearly defined. Outlining the assignment will save you a lot of time because it will organize your thoughts and make your literature searches much easier. The outline will also help you to create different sections and divide up the word count between them, which will make the assignment more organized.

The introduction is the next important part you should focus on. This is the part that defines the quality of your assignment in the eyes of the reader. The introduction must include a brief background on the main points of discussion, the purpose of developing such work and clear indications on how the assignment is being organized. Keep this part brief, within one or two paragraphs.

This is an example of including the above mentioned points into the introduction of an assignment that elaborates the topic of obesity reaching proportions:

Background : The twenty first century is characterized by many public health challenges, among which obesity takes a major part. The increasing prevalence of obesity is creating an alarming situation in both developed and developing regions of the world.

Structure and aim : This assignment will elaborate and discuss the specific pattern of obesity epidemic development, as well as its epidemiology. Debt, trade and globalization will also be analyzed as factors that led to escalation of the problem. Moreover, the assignment will discuss the governmental interventions that make efforts to address this issue.

Practical tips on assignment writing

Here are some practical tips that will keep your work focused and effective:

–         Critical thinking – Academic writing has to be characterized by critical thinking, not only to provide the work with the needed level, but also because it takes part in the final mark.

–         Continuity of ideas – When you get to the middle of assignment, things can get confusing. You have to make sure that the ideas are flowing continuously within and between paragraphs, so the reader will be enabled to follow the argument easily. Dividing the work in different paragraphs is very important for this purpose.

–         Usage of ‘you’ and ‘I’ – According to the academic writing standards, the assignments should be written in an impersonal language, which means that the usage of ‘you’ and ‘I’ should be avoided. The only acceptable way of building your arguments is by using opinions and evidence from authoritative sources.

–         Referencing – this part of the assignment is extremely important and it takes a big part in the final mark. Make sure to use either Vancouver or Harvard referencing systems, and use the same system in the bibliography and while citing work of other sources within the text.  

–         Usage of examples – A clear understanding on your assignment’s topic should be provided by comparing different sources and identifying their strengths and weaknesses in an objective manner. This is the part where you should show how the knowledge can be applied into practice.

–         Numbering and bullets – Instead of using numbering and bullets, the academic writing style prefers the usage of paragraphs.

–         Including figures and tables – The figures and tables are an effective way of conveying information to the reader in a clear manner, without disturbing the word count. Each figure and table should have clear headings and you should make sure to mention their sources in the bibliography.

–         Word count – the word count of your assignment mustn’t be far above or far below the required word count. The outline will provide you with help in this aspect, so make sure to plan the work in order to keep it within the boundaries.

The importance of an effective conclusion

The conclusion of your assignment is your ultimate chance to provide powerful arguments that will impress the reader. The conclusion in academic writing is usually expressed through three main parts:

–         Stating the context and aim of the assignment

–         Summarizing the main points briefly

–         Providing final comments with consideration of the future (discussing clear examples of things that can be done in order to improve the situation concerning your topic of discussion).

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Lois Weldon is writer at  Uk.bestdissertation.com . Lives happily at London with her husband and lovely daughter. Adores writing tips for students. Passionate about Star Wars and yoga.

7 comments on “How To Write The Best College Assignments”

Extremely useful tip for students wanting to score well on their assignments. I concur with the writer that writing an outline before ACTUALLY starting to write assignments is extremely important. I have observed students who start off quite well but they tend to lose focus in between which causes them to lose marks. So an outline helps them to maintain the theme focused.

Hello Great information…. write assignments

Well elabrated

Thanks for the information. This site has amazing articles. Looking forward to continuing on this site.

This article is certainly going to help student . Well written.

Really good, thanks

Practical tips on assignment writing, the’re fantastic. Thank you!

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Understanding Assignments

What this handout is about.

The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms and practices into meaningful clues to the type of writing your instructor expects. See our short video for more tips.

Basic beginnings

Regardless of the assignment, department, or instructor, adopting these two habits will serve you well :

• Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. Do not put this task off—reading the assignment at the beginning will save you time, stress, and problems later. An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment.
• Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand. Do not hesitate to approach your instructor. Instructors would prefer to set you straight before you hand the paper in. That’s also when you will find their feedback most useful.

Assignment formats

Many assignments follow a basic format. Assignments often begin with an overview of the topic, include a central verb or verbs that describe the task, and offer some additional suggestions, questions, or prompts to get you started.

An Overview of Some Kind

The instructor might set the stage with some general discussion of the subject of the assignment, introduce the topic, or remind you of something pertinent that you have discussed in class. For example:

“Throughout history, gerbils have played a key role in politics,” or “In the last few weeks of class, we have focused on the evening wear of the housefly …”

The Task of the Assignment

Pay attention; this part tells you what to do when you write the paper. Look for the key verb or verbs in the sentence. Words like analyze, summarize, or compare direct you to think about your topic in a certain way. Also pay attention to words such as how, what, when, where, and why; these words guide your attention toward specific information. (See the section in this handout titled “Key Terms” for more information.)

“Analyze the effect that gerbils had on the Russian Revolution”, or “Suggest an interpretation of housefly undergarments that differs from Darwin’s.”

Additional Material to Think about

Here you will find some questions to use as springboards as you begin to think about the topic. Instructors usually include these questions as suggestions rather than requirements. Do not feel compelled to answer every question unless the instructor asks you to do so. Pay attention to the order of the questions. Sometimes they suggest the thinking process your instructor imagines you will need to follow to begin thinking about the topic.

“You may wish to consider the differing views held by Communist gerbils vs. Monarchist gerbils, or Can there be such a thing as ‘the housefly garment industry’ or is it just a home-based craft?”

These are the instructor’s comments about writing expectations:

“Be concise”, “Write effectively”, or “Argue furiously.”

Technical Details

These instructions usually indicate format rules or guidelines.

“Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung’s death.”

The assignment’s parts may not appear in exactly this order, and each part may be very long or really short. Nonetheless, being aware of this standard pattern can help you understand what your instructor wants you to do.

Interpreting the assignment

Ask yourself a few basic questions as you read and jot down the answers on the assignment sheet:

Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task?

Who is your audience.

• What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas?

What kind of writing style is acceptable?

• What are the absolute rules of the paper?

Try to look at the question from the point of view of the instructor. Recognize that your instructor has a reason for giving you this assignment and for giving it to you at a particular point in the semester. In every assignment, the instructor has a challenge for you. This challenge could be anything from demonstrating an ability to think clearly to demonstrating an ability to use the library. See the assignment not as a vague suggestion of what to do but as an opportunity to show that you can handle the course material as directed. Paper assignments give you more than a topic to discuss—they ask you to do something with the topic. Keep reminding yourself of that. Be careful to avoid the other extreme as well: do not read more into the assignment than what is there.

Of course, your instructor has given you an assignment so that they will be able to assess your understanding of the course material and give you an appropriate grade. But there is more to it than that. Your instructor has tried to design a learning experience of some kind. Your instructor wants you to think about something in a particular way for a particular reason. If you read the course description at the beginning of your syllabus, review the assigned readings, and consider the assignment itself, you may begin to see the plan, purpose, or approach to the subject matter that your instructor has created for you. If you still aren’t sure of the assignment’s goals, try asking the instructor. For help with this, see our handout on getting feedback .

Given your instructor’s efforts, it helps to answer the question: What is my purpose in completing this assignment? Is it to gather research from a variety of outside sources and present a coherent picture? Is it to take material I have been learning in class and apply it to a new situation? Is it to prove a point one way or another? Key words from the assignment can help you figure this out. Look for key terms in the form of active verbs that tell you what to do.

Key Terms: Finding Those Active Verbs

Here are some common key words and definitions to help you think about assignment terms:

Information words Ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.

• define —give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning
• describe —provide details about the subject by answering question words (such as who, what, when, where, how, and why); you might also give details related to the five senses (what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell)
• explain —give reasons why or examples of how something happened
• illustrate —give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject
• summarize —briefly list the important ideas you learned about the subject
• trace —outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form
• research —gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found

Relation words Ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.

• compare —show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different)
• contrast —show how two or more things are dissimilar
• apply —use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation
• cause —show how one event or series of events made something else happen
• relate —show or describe the connections between things

Interpretation words Ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Do not see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation.

• assess —summarize your opinion of the subject and measure it against something
• prove, justify —give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth
• evaluate, respond —state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons
• support —give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe)
• synthesize —put two or more things together that have not been put together in class or in your readings before; do not just summarize one and then the other and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the way through the paper
• analyze —determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important
• argue —take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side

More Clues to Your Purpose As you read the assignment, think about what the teacher does in class:

• What kinds of textbooks or coursepack did your instructor choose for the course—ones that provide background information, explain theories or perspectives, or argue a point of view?
• In lecture, does your instructor ask your opinion, try to prove their point of view, or use keywords that show up again in the assignment?
• What kinds of assignments are typical in this discipline? Social science classes often expect more research. Humanities classes thrive on interpretation and analysis.
• How do the assignments, readings, and lectures work together in the course? Instructors spend time designing courses, sometimes even arguing with their peers about the most effective course materials. Figuring out the overall design to the course will help you understand what each assignment is meant to achieve.

Now, what about your reader? Most undergraduates think of their audience as the instructor. True, your instructor is a good person to keep in mind as you write. But for the purposes of a good paper, think of your audience as someone like your roommate: smart enough to understand a clear, logical argument, but not someone who already knows exactly what is going on in your particular paper. Remember, even if the instructor knows everything there is to know about your paper topic, they still have to read your paper and assess your understanding. In other words, teach the material to your reader.

Aiming a paper at your audience happens in two ways: you make decisions about the tone and the level of information you want to convey.

• Tone means the “voice” of your paper. Should you be chatty, formal, or objective? Usually you will find some happy medium—you do not want to alienate your reader by sounding condescending or superior, but you do not want to, um, like, totally wig on the man, you know? Eschew ostentatious erudition: some students think the way to sound academic is to use big words. Be careful—you can sound ridiculous, especially if you use the wrong big words.
• The level of information you use depends on who you think your audience is. If you imagine your audience as your instructor and they already know everything you have to say, you may find yourself leaving out key information that can cause your argument to be unconvincing and illogical. But you do not have to explain every single word or issue. If you are telling your roommate what happened on your favorite science fiction TV show last night, you do not say, “First a dark-haired white man of average height, wearing a suit and carrying a flashlight, walked into the room. Then a purple alien with fifteen arms and at least three eyes turned around. Then the man smiled slightly. In the background, you could hear a clock ticking. The room was fairly dark and had at least two windows that I saw.” You also do not say, “This guy found some aliens. The end.” Find some balance of useful details that support your main point.

You’ll find a much more detailed discussion of these concepts in our handout on audience .

The Grim Truth

With a few exceptions (including some lab and ethnography reports), you are probably being asked to make an argument. You must convince your audience. It is easy to forget this aim when you are researching and writing; as you become involved in your subject matter, you may become enmeshed in the details and focus on learning or simply telling the information you have found. You need to do more than just repeat what you have read. Your writing should have a point, and you should be able to say it in a sentence. Sometimes instructors call this sentence a “thesis” or a “claim.”

So, if your instructor tells you to write about some aspect of oral hygiene, you do not want to just list: “First, you brush your teeth with a soft brush and some peanut butter. Then, you floss with unwaxed, bologna-flavored string. Finally, gargle with bourbon.” Instead, you could say, “Of all the oral cleaning methods, sandblasting removes the most plaque. Therefore it should be recommended by the American Dental Association.” Or, “From an aesthetic perspective, moldy teeth can be quite charming. However, their joys are short-lived.”

Convincing the reader of your argument is the goal of academic writing. It doesn’t have to say “argument” anywhere in the assignment for you to need one. Look at the assignment and think about what kind of argument you could make about it instead of just seeing it as a checklist of information you have to present. For help with understanding the role of argument in academic writing, see our handout on argument .

What kind of evidence do you need?

There are many kinds of evidence, and what type of evidence will work for your assignment can depend on several factors–the discipline, the parameters of the assignment, and your instructor’s preference. Should you use statistics? Historical examples? Do you need to conduct your own experiment? Can you rely on personal experience? See our handout on evidence for suggestions on how to use evidence appropriately.

Make sure you are clear about this part of the assignment, because your use of evidence will be crucial in writing a successful paper. You are not just learning how to argue; you are learning how to argue with specific types of materials and ideas. Ask your instructor what counts as acceptable evidence. You can also ask a librarian for help. No matter what kind of evidence you use, be sure to cite it correctly—see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial .

You cannot always tell from the assignment just what sort of writing style your instructor expects. The instructor may be really laid back in class but still expect you to sound formal in writing. Or the instructor may be fairly formal in class and ask you to write a reflection paper where you need to use “I” and speak from your own experience.

Try to avoid false associations of a particular field with a style (“art historians like wacky creativity,” or “political scientists are boring and just give facts”) and look instead to the types of readings you have been given in class. No one expects you to write like Plato—just use the readings as a guide for what is standard or preferable to your instructor. When in doubt, ask your instructor about the level of formality they expect.

No matter what field you are writing for or what facts you are including, if you do not write so that your reader can understand your main idea, you have wasted your time. So make clarity your main goal. For specific help with style, see our handout on style .

Technical details about the assignment

The technical information you are given in an assignment always seems like the easy part. This section can actually give you lots of little hints about approaching the task. Find out if elements such as page length and citation format (see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial ) are negotiable. Some professors do not have strong preferences as long as you are consistent and fully answer the assignment. Some professors are very specific and will deduct big points for deviations.

Usually, the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment’s parameters. In plain English, your instructor is telling you how many pages it should take for you to answer the question as fully as you are expected to. So if an assignment is two pages long, you cannot pad your paper with examples or reword your main idea several times. Hit your one point early, defend it with the clearest example, and finish quickly. If an assignment is ten pages long, you can be more complex in your main points and examples—and if you can only produce five pages for that assignment, you need to see someone for help—as soon as possible.

Tricks that don’t work

Your instructors are not fooled when you:

• spend more time on the cover page than the essay —graphics, cool binders, and cute titles are no replacement for a well-written paper.
• use huge fonts, wide margins, or extra spacing to pad the page length —these tricks are immediately obvious to the eye. Most instructors use the same word processor you do. They know what’s possible. Such tactics are especially damning when the instructor has a stack of 60 papers to grade and yours is the only one that low-flying airplane pilots could read.
• use a paper from another class that covered “sort of similar” material . Again, the instructor has a particular task for you to fulfill in the assignment that usually relates to course material and lectures. Your other paper may not cover this material, and turning in the same paper for more than one course may constitute an Honor Code violation . Ask the instructor—it can’t hurt.
• get all wacky and “creative” before you answer the question . Showing that you are able to think beyond the boundaries of a simple assignment can be good, but you must do what the assignment calls for first. Again, check with your instructor. A humorous tone can be refreshing for someone grading a stack of papers, but it will not get you a good grade if you have not fulfilled the task.

Critical reading of assignments leads to skills in other types of reading and writing. If you get good at figuring out what the real goals of assignments are, you are going to be better at understanding the goals of all of your classes and fields of study.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Anybody else do assignments weeks in advance ?

The second I find out an assignment is due, I try to complete it or at least start it, I tell people this and they think I’m weird or something (which I am) but that’s not the point.

Is this not what everyone else does to stay ahead? Or are most students just procrastinators?

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