Time Management

By Eddie Habeck, Associate Director of Admissions

When heading off to college, we tend to think of all the fun and new experiences we are about to embark on. We plan out different clubs we want to join, sports we are going to play, as well numerous other organizations we want to be on. In all of this planning, we seldom seem to think to ourselves, “When am I going to have time for all of this?”

Time management is ultimately what can truly shape your college experience as being positive or negative. You can have all the right ambition, want to be involved in all the right activities; but if you can’t put it all together you’re going to have a mess.

I know your parents have told you that you’re going to college to study. So have your teachers. Well, contrary to what you might think, they are right! With that in mind, your schedule needs to fall into place around all of your class work. Once you start your classes, you’ll have a good understanding of how much effort you will have to put in to each of them. This is the foundation of your schedule. 

You might be playing a sport here as well. During your in-season you’ll have practices every day as well as home and away games to factor in. This can really hurt your grades in a hurry if you do not stay on top of your course work. Remember, your professors here want to see you succeed. They are not these evil oppressors trying to fail you so you can take their class again next year. The second you think you are falling behind go to them for help. If your schedule is hectic and you have an away game the day when a paper is due, ask for an extension.  Also, when you’re in season you might want to choose to not be as active in some of the other clubs you are involved in. If you have a Calculus test in the morning you might want to skip the “highly-informative” weekly Cigar club meeting.

The Learning Support Center at Norwich is also another great resource you should use. They will help you put together a schedule, taking all of your activities into consideration. All you have to do is take the initiative to go see them. If you’re taking 15 credits, playing Lacrosse and on the Mountain Cold Weather Rescue Team, I think you can walk to the library to do this.

With so many things competing for your precious time, be careful how you spend it. When you are at college you are going to have countless things pulling you in every direction. It is up to you to figure out which directions you’ll allow yourself to go.