Students blog

Recently, I have found my time management skills slipping out of my grasp, which was a new issue for me. I have always taken pride in how I manage my time, allowing work, school, and personal life to all have their separate sections of my life. However, the past few months have been overly scheduled, and it was all from my doing. It feels like everything has been piling up at once—work demands, school deadlines, and social obligations. It is like juggling too many balls at once and slowly starting to drop a few. Here are a few ways I have learned to manage my time better, allowing myself to not only be productive but also manage my stress more effectively.

I currently attend school full-time, and that is at the top of my priority list. I have always been on top of assignments, completing those days if not weeks ahead of time. It was a sense of pride for me to be ahead of the game. Recently, it has been more like hours if not minutes ahead. Procrastination has sneaked in more often, leaving me stressed at the last minute. To tackle this, I created myself a “school schedule.” Many of my classes are online, so I decided to set aside 12 hours per week on my calendar to either sit in the library, coffee shop, or my office to focus on schoolwork. By having set hours aside for my studies, I was able to plan less important events around my schoolwork, cutting the stress of completing assignments on time. Now that I know exactly when I will be tackling my homework, I feel more in control and less anxious about deadlines creeping up on me.

Work comes second to school for me, yet it seemed like it was taking up all my time. Aside from being a Pearson Campus Ambassador, I also have an in-person job in my local area. My work schedule fluctuates heavily, which leads to a lot of stress when it comes to planning around it. I would find myself scrambling to balance everything, unsure of where to fit in personal time or activities I enjoy. However, by changing my mindset around work, I was able to manage my time better. I decided to put my work schedule into my calendar and open areas around it for time to do things that helped me, like walking, running, cooking, and journaling. Please, I even put in “getting coffee with so-and-so" in my calendar if I made coffee plans with a friend. The key was realizing that my personal time matters just as much as my professional one. By having everything laid out in front of me, I could easily plan things around work and school, leading to less chaos and more balance.

Lastly, I learned the value of saying no. I am very much a people pleaser, but I need to value myself and my time, as well. I found myself constantly agreeing with events or tasks, even when I was already stretched thin. If I had a good bit of prior commitments for the week and a friend asked if I could tag along for something, I would say no but suggest something else on another day. I love hanging out with my friends as it is a great stress reliever in my life, but once it begins to cause my stress, it needs to be changed. By simply saying “no, but” I took control over my personal time, allowing myself to keep company with myself more often, which has helped me. It is a practice in self-care, and the more I do it, the easier it becomes to balance my obligations without feeling overwhelmed.

In summary, managing time is an ongoing challenge, but by creating schedules, prioritizing tasks, and setting boundaries, I have learned to manage both my workload and my stress more effectively. Whether it is carving out dedicated study time, organizing work commitments, or giving myself permission to say "no," each step has contributed to a better balance in my life. It is all about being mindful of where I spend my time and ensuring I am taking care of myself along the way. Time management is not checking off tasks—it is about creating space for what really matters.

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I came into college searching for a way to feel connected to my university. One way I did that was by joining the women's club soccer team. Being involved in a club sport through my college career has been a crucial part of my story. It has challenged me in a multitude of ways while also bringing me immense joy and strong friendships. Early on, I faced a few difficulties as a student athlete. Here’s how I learned to better approach the challenges and find the community and fulfillment that comes from being a part of a sports team or any other club on your campus.

One of the most challenging aspects of being a student athlete is finding enough time in the day. During the soccer season I constantly am battling to find that balance between caring for my body by getting enough rest and food while completing all my work and activities. After four years of struggling with this my conclusion is there is no perfect balance. However, there is a great time management tool I found extremely helpful to get me closer to a balance in some way. The Pomodoro technique has helped me be productive during the time I do have and to eliminate wasted breaks. This technique is centered around creating time segments of extreme focus with frequent short breaks which promotes high concentration levels and minimizes mental fatigue. The technique is used by setting a 25-minute timer, for that time you are 100% laser focused allowing nothing to pull you from your work, then take a 5-minute break doing anything you’d like, now repeat this pattern until you have completed your tasks.

Another battle student-athletes face is over committing and spreading themselves too thin. As a student athlete I am aware that a lot of athletes seek a challenge and hold themselves to a high standard in all aspects of their lives. From my personal experience I also understand that this can lead to extreme burn out and lead to a downhill slide. As I progressed through my college career, I learned a crucial lesson that all athletes should value. Burnout is the result of taking on a ton of commitments and work that you do not truly believe in or have a passion for. When deciding to say yes or no to opportunities, pause, and check if this option is truly something you believe in and would get joy out of doing. Make sure you narrow down your commitment to focus on passions and activities you believe will help you grow. Do not say yes solely for another person.

Although being a student-athlete can be exhausting and challenging to balance with the chaos of college life it can be an incredible way to keep yourself accountable to rest your mind and body from studying, help you to meet students outside of your major, and provide you with lifelong memories with your sport and team.

In summary, being a highly involved college student, specifically through a sport, comes with a lot of challenges however is an amazing way to truly make the best of your college years and to look back with little regrets.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

Are you finding it challenging to juggle your assignments, deadlines, and extracurricular activities in college? Don't worry, you're not alone! In this blog post, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a curated list of apps that are designed to streamline your life and boost your productivity. Whether you're a freshman just starting out or a seasoned senior, these tools will help you stay organized and focused throughout the semester.

Task Management Apps

1. Todoist: This intuitive task manager allows you to create to-do lists, set deadlines, and prioritize tasks. With features like recurring tasks and productivity tracking, Todoist helps you stay on top of your assignments and projects effortlessly.

2. Asana: Ideal for group projects and collaborative work, Asana lets you assign tasks, set due dates, and communicate with team members seamlessly. Its project timelines and progress tracking features are perfect for managing complex assignments.

Note-Taking and Organization

3. Notion: A versatile workspace app that allows you to create customized databases, Kanban boards, and note pages. Notion adapts to your workflow, making it ideal for both personal organization and collaborative projects.

4. GoodNotes: For those who prefer digital handwriting, GoodNotes allows you to take handwritten notes, annotate PDFs, and organize your notebooks digitally. It's perfect for keeping your lecture notes and study materials in one place.

Study Schedulers

5. Google Calendar: Keep track of your classes, assignments, and extracurricular activities with Google Calendar. Sync across devices and set reminders to ensure you never miss a deadline or important event.

6. Trello: Organize your study schedule and track your progress with Trello's boards, lists, and cards. It's perfect for visual learners who want to see their tasks and goals at a glance.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance

7. Headspace: Take care of your mental well-being with Headspace, a meditation and mindfulness app. Quick guided sessions can help you unwind after a long study session and improve your focus for the next task.

These apps are not just tools; they will help you navigate the challenges of college life more effectively. Whether you need to manage your assignments, organize your notes, create study schedules, or maintain a healthy work-life balance, there's an app here to suit your needs.

So, what are you waiting for? Transform your college experience with these powerful productivity tools and pave the way for academic success and personal growth. Embrace technology to streamline your life and make the most out of every moment in college!

Here's to a productive and successful semester ahead!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

As I reflect on my time in college, a significant difference I noticed from high school was the lack of structure in college classes. As an unprepared freshman, I quickly realized that most of the responsibility that came with classes lay within us students. With more professors adopting asynchronous and attendance-optional courses, college students are becoming more responsible for establishing a system to manage everyday obligations. Here’s the approach I have developed to managing time on as a college student.

The first thing anyone will tell you about time management is to use Google Calendar or another similar application. Here’s how I made it work for me:

• Begin by blocking out time for classes, tasks, homework, or anything remotely important. This helps in visualizing your day and ensuring you are aware of every responsibility – no surprises. Personally, my college registrar has a feature that lets me export my classes to Google Calendar which was an excellent first step in organizing my schedule.
• Keep track of tasks and events by color-coding them based on categories, involvements, or urgency. For instance, I use different colors for classes, extracurricular activities, work, and personal time. This visual differentiation makes it easier to see what my day looks like.
• Don’t beat yourself up too much if you miss a task. Instead, adjusting your schedule by moving the task forward helps in keeping track of its completion. This dynamic approach ensures that no task is forgotten and that you remain flexible in your planning.
• If you find it motivating to create tasks and check them off upon completion, Google also has an app for that. Google Tasks integrates seamlessly with Google Calendar, allowing you to manage your to-do list efficiently.

Beyond digital tools, establishing a routine was crucial. Here are things that I found to create a productive, sustainable routine:

• This is something I struggle with a lot, but I always aim to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. This helped ensure I was well-rested for my classes and had the energy to get work done.
• I developed morning rituals to start off my day. Last semester, I started waking up in the early morning despite my first classes starting at 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM so I had time to go to the gym. As a result, each morning I had a boost of energy to support my day and was able to accomplish the first bullet point easier.

My final takeaway from the last three years is balancing academics, social life, and personal well-being. As a freshman, I did not prioritize myself as I often sacrificed sleep and missed meals as work and responsibilities added up. This is something I grew to combat as I began incorporating regular breaks into lengthy hours of work, tracked tasks through Google Calendar, and dedicated time to work on my health. Using techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, I took short breaks after focused study periods to rest and recharge. The result was a much more productive work session and better overall well-being. I also made time for activities like extracurriculars and seeing friends. This not only helped me unwind but also improved my mental state.

Transitioning from high school to college taught me the importance of effective time management. Through these practices, I was able to manage my responsibilities and make the most of my college experience. Time management is an ongoing process, and being adaptable and open to refining your approach is the key to success.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

In the chaos of college life, keeping up with assignments, extracurricular activities, and maintaining a social life can feel like an uphill battle. I've come to realize that effective time management and organization are not just desirable skills but necessary survival tools. Amidst this chaos, one strategy has proven to be most successful for me: to-do lists.

Picture this: it's Monday morning, and your brain is already buzzing with a million tasks begging for attention. You've got lectures to attend, assignments to complete, meetings to join, and a list of other commitments. It's overwhelming, to say the least. With a simple to-do list, you can lessen the mayhem and reclaim control over your day. Incorporating to-do lists into my daily routine has been life changing. It's a simple yet incredibly effective method for organizing my thoughts and prioritizing my tasks. Each night, I take a few minutes to jot down everything I already know I’ll need to accomplish. From major assignments to minor errands, it can be so helpful to just visualize what I need to get done.

I recommend setting aside a few minutes each night to think about your goals for the week and what you need to accomplish each day to make that happen. I even write down my classes for the next morning so I can get a full layout of my day before it even starts. The best part is when I can start ticking off items throughout the day. There's something so fulfilling about checking off each line as tasks are completed. There’s nothing like reaching the end of the day and seeing a to-do list fully completed, a visual representation of my productivity. I no longer need to worry about what I may have forgotten or neglected.

To-do lists can be very effective if used correctly. Just writing things down and hoping for the best won’t be enough. If you take the time to write out your tasks and goals, you can be productive every day of the week.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

As a college student, I have found that it can be challenging to find a balance between my academic and personal life. Now as a student in my final year in college, I have learned the importance of prioritizing both aspects of my life. The following three tips have helped me be successful in the classroom while also making time for important people and hobbies in my life.

Knowing when I am most productive

Something that has helped me academically is recognizing what time of the day I am most productive. For me, I am most productive in the morning. To work on this strength, I wake up earlier to start getting work done. This allows me to get most of my work done and then have more time in the day for myself.

Scheduling time with friends but also alone time

Spending time with important people in my life is something that keeps me motivated when it comes to academics. I enjoy going to get coffee with friends, studying together, and going out for dinner. I’ve also realized that I sometimes need to have time to myself. Some activities I enjoy doing by myself include going on walks and reading. Giving myself this alone time helps me to feel more present when I am with my friends and family.

Making a prioritized list

Having a planner and staying organized is something that has helped me throughout my four years in school. On Sundays, I fill out my planner according to my class schedule and personal activities. I also have found it helpful to make a to-do list and prioritize the list in order of importance. For example, an assignment with a due date quickly approaching will be at the top of my list. I then continue to add to the list the tasks that must get done.

It is important to recognize that these tips may not be effective for everyone. Find out what works best for you and your lifestyle. Sometimes school can feel overwhelming, and it feels like there is so much to get done. Finding what helps you balance your academics and personal life can help ease those feelings. Next time you have those feelings, I hope you can try one of these tips or find something that works for you.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

I believe that as a college student there is so much to learn not just in school but out of school as well. For example, most of us are living on our own for the first time and learning how to manage our time. Most of us dread waking up early, which is exactly how I was my freshman year of college. Since then, what started off as a goal of mine to wake up early has now turned into a daily routine and success in my academics. There are many benefits of becoming a morning person and I hope to spread that knowledge and personal experience to help not only students but anyone looking for a healthier sleep routine or just better time management skills.

Personalizing Your Routine

The key to enjoying waking up early and having a morning routine is to simply make it your own personal routine. Whether that's showering first thing in the morning to help wake you up, or even making a cup of your favorite coffee. Have fun with your early mornings and use the extra time to complete tasks that you typically don't have time for.

Realizing the Benefits of Waking up Early

Every non-morning person knows the benefits of waking up early, but they just simply don’t want to do it. Whether that's because they really like to sleep or maybe they just don't like change. I am here to tell all those non-morning people that becoming a morning person is truly life changing in the best ways possible. Waking up early is a path not only to a healthier lifestyle but also a path to great time management skills. Many students spend countless hours up throughout the whole night when they can simply wake up earlier and then have a whole day to do homework, participate in their hobbies, and not feel drained the next day. Not to mention, most full-time career jobs after college require their employees to wake up fairly early for work.

Becoming a morning person is by no means easy but it is a great way to better your routine, time management skills, and staying ahead in the classroom and workplace. By realizing the benefits and the different ways that you can personalize your morning routine, you yourself can also stay ahead in the game, become a morning person and enjoy it.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

College can feel overwhelming. Registering for classes, getting books, finding a classroom, and just finding your way around campus. In my scenario, it gets overwhelming because I need to work with my kids’ schedule as well as my class schedule. Here’s how I balance college life with two kids!

Online Learning

For my lifestyle, I rely heavily on online classes, which give me the flexibility to plan accordingly around my two kids. Having a schedule is essential to stay on task and meet deadlines, which helps me meet family responsibilities as well as college tasks and time management.

Organize with Planners

Organization is the key to success. Having a planner, calendar, or a digital planner helps me stay on top of assignments, exams, and family commitments. I have a planner at my desk, so I can see everything coming up for the work week. I also use a digital calendar on my phone where I can see everything at a glance - my kid’s appointments, school events, doctor’s appointments as well as my class assignments. Staying organized helps me stay positive and not get overwhelmed by all the different events happening.

Establish Support

Balancing college with two kids can be challenging, but it's possible with efficient time management and support. My husband is my support system. He takes over when I have a work meeting or watches one of our kids when the other one has an appointment. My professors can also be a part of my support network. The most important factor here is communicating, whether it’s with your professors or significant other, about your situation. Most of my past professors have been understanding and offered flexibility or accommodations when an emergency came up.

Practice Self-Care

Finally, don't forget to take care of yourself. Find time for self-care activities to maintain your overall well-being. For me, I find time to go to the gym at least four times a week and weight train. It helps me feel stronger and it helps me mentally, to focus on myself.

Whether it’s enrolling in online classes, utilizing planners, leaning on your support network, or taking time for yourself, it is possible to balance pursuing your college education with parenthood. Find what works best for your situation and reach for your goal!

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

While one of the most exciting times in life, college can feel like a place you’re being pulled in a million different directions. Managing school, extracurricular activities, a social life, and maybe even a job is both challenging and overwhelming.

When I first got to college, I dove headfirst into the social and extracurricular opportunities campus had to offer while also being a full-time student and working part time. While the organizations I joined on campus are some of my favorite parts of my college experience so far, the entangling of my social, work, and academic calendars soon became a huge point of stress in my life. I felt like I could never get ahead of anything. In fact, I refused to look ahead in my calendar more than a day or two in advance because it stressed me out knowing everything I was going to have to do that week.

Eventually I decided to start taking on my day rather than letting it overtake me, and that’s when I added 5 steps to my routine to help me tackle my agenda. I’ve found that these 5 things help me stay on top of assignments and activities, while making me feel better prepared for the week ahead of me.

Step 1: Choose a Calendar

In college you’re going to get sent what seems like 100 different calendars with 100 different dates on them. My school uses Canvas, my sorority uses Google, my job uses Microsoft, and I would get emailed about campus events left and right. Nothing is worse than having to shift through a dozen sites just to figure out the agenda for the day, not to mention it makes it easy to forget about things all together. By condensing all your assignments, activities, and meetings into one calendar, you will have a one stop place to tackle the day. I prefer using the calendar app on my iPhone because it pops up on my home screen, but there are hundreds of other calendars out there that might work for you. There are simple applications like the iPhone calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and Google Calendar, and ones with more features available like Power Planner. Some people also prefer to have their planner on hand with them in a physical copy, which is great too. Regardless of what you use, consolidating your calendar is key.

Step 2: Stay Updated

When getting constant updates through school applications, emails from professors, employers, and organizations, it’s easy for information to get lost in the shuffle. Set aside a specific time in the day to check your notifications on all platforms and add information to your calendar. I prefer to do this first thing in the morning, as well as around 5pm but the important thing is to find a time that works for you and commit to being consistent with it each day.

Step 3: Plan a Time Designated for Homework

It’s easy to get behind on homework in college with so many other things going on in your life. After you’ve chosen a calendar and updated your assignments and schedule, it’s important to assess time during each day you can set aside to complete assignments. This time might look different each day depending on your class or work schedule, but this will help you stay focused on your assignments and keep from procrastinating. Procrastination is one of the biggest causes of stress in college and setting aside planned time for homework can help prevent you from getting behind on assignments.

Step 4: It's Okay to Say “No”

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn in college is that it’s okay to say no to things. I tried to pick up every shift, attend every meeting, and volunteer for every event, and I found it being more detrimental to me mentally than it was beneficial. The great thing about college is that there will always be another opportunity, and it’s okay to say no. Even though you might have FOMO in the moment, taking the night off to prioritize rest or homework is okay and you’ll thank yourself in the long run. Making sure I was choosing the activities I participated in each day intentionally helped my days become less stressful and allowed me to really enjoy what I was doing.

Step 5: Get Some Sleep

The last part of my daily routine I changed that drastically helped my ability to balance the craziness of college life was prioritizing my sleep. It’s incredibly hard to be productive running on 3 hours of sleep. Along with this, it’s hard for your body to keep up when you go to bed at 9pm one night, and 3am the next. Once I started going to bed at a consistent and reasonable time each night, I saw my mood and energy boost dramatically. This goes along with planning out your homework time, so you don’t get stuck with a last-minute deadline having to pull and all-nighter.

College is an amazing time filled with once in lifetime opportunities, but no student is exempt from the stress and busy schedule that comes with this season of life. I know incorporating these five things into my daily life has helped me find the balance between my social, academic, and work life and I hope they will do the same for you. Everyone's schedule and preferences are different, so make sure to try out different calendars, study periods and sleep times to see what works best for you.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!