Balancing It All | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Balancing It All

Some words from my friends and I on keeping our you-know-what together.

169
Balancing It All

In This Article:

Time management is a flower that does not grow in everyone's garden. I asked some friends how they manage their time, and how much room there is for improvement. Here's what they said:

1. Andy, freshman music education major

I, unlike most people, do not have a planner. Since most of my schedule has no breathing space (I literally go straight from classes to my job to rehearsal Tuesdays and Thursdays), I always know what I'm gonna be doing next. I have a calendar that is both on my phone and my laptop that lists all the things I'm doing that day on a daily basis.

As I go through my day, I figure out what I have to prioritize and what I can push aside for that day. Whenever I have free time, I always try to use it to do work ahead of time so I don't have to worry about it later; this is a rare occurrence. I definitely need to know when to let go of things in my schedule, which I've had a lot of trouble before. With that said, I'm quitting my job.

2. Kristina, freshman acting major

I write everything down in my planner, and I have an organization app. It's very important for my major!

3. Kathleen, senior music education major

The most important thing for me is planning very far ahead. I rarely have to run to the store last minute, or Bird to print something last minute, etc. I plan very very far in advance, so I'm never in bad shape if something happens or things are particularly crazy. By planning ahead, I find I avoid any meltdowns or feeling like my life is spiraling, or « last-minute » running around.

For example, I always keep cake ingredients on hand bc I end up volunteering to bake for so many events throughout the semester. I always buy shampoo when my BACKUP runs out. I always know exactly how much of everything I have at all times. If those things are taken care of and I'm taking care of myself, I feel calm, excited about, and prepared for all my time-consuming obligations!

4. Sydney, freshman public relations major

My time management skills desperately need improvement. I'm a multitasker, so I like doing a lot of things at once. But sometimes, I do that too much to a fault and bite off more than I can chew.

5. Samantha, freshman public relations and political science dual major

My time management skills could definitely be better. I work really well at night, so I can go as long as I need to at night, but I'm really sleep-deprived because I don't use my time well during the day. As an honors student, I'm aware that I have extra requirements and am going to have a heavier course-load, so I'm going to have to account for that and balance it with my extracurriculars.

6. Taylor, senior broadcast & digital journalism major

I am an avid planner. I have a planner and use the calendar app on my phone consistently. I also am about the furthest thing from a procrastinator that there can be. I'll stay up late getting something done for the next day before I go to bed rather than putting it off, and I'm the type of person who will mentally pick out my clothes for the night before.

I even have a coffee pot with a timer and set it the night before! I also set my alarm for earlier knowing I'll snooze it. I think the biggest thing is just being organized!

7. Sophie, junior public relations/information management & technology dual major

PLANNER. Planner planner planner planner P L A N N E R. Did I say I keep a planner? I'm not saying I have great time management skills, but I just TRY to keep my planner running my life. (haha)

8. Shannon, junior cyber security major

Time management is something that can always be worked on. I try to deal with everything by creating an organizing system that works for me and sticking to it as best as I can. When assignments start to line up, I break it up in order of when they're due and write them all down on a sticky note, and I color-code it to make it pretty. I know it sounds like a ton of effort but it works!

9. Evan, senior physics and applied math dual major

I have a planner that I write all my assignments in, and I have a dry erase calendar in my room that is literally my lifeblood. When things get really crazy, I have a note on my phone broken down by day, and I just plan out what I need to do each day in order of when everything is due!

10. Annelise, sophomore public relations major

At the beginning of every semester, I go through all my syllabi and put all the due dates in my planner! I also make daily to-do lists on the Notes app on my phone because I love the checklist feature. I also have a whiteboard calendar in my room because it helps me to see the visual of everything I have to do!

11. Erin, junior newspaper and online journalism major

My friend Ghufran told me to get a Google Calendar, and it changed my entire life!

12. Missy, freshman biology & forensics major

I usually manage my time by prioritizing things based on urgency and importance, and I have a chart to break it all down. I also use a paper planner! Writing things down makes it feel more like I have a set deadline. I think my time management skills could use a little fine tuning, but for the most part, I feel like I use my time well!

13. Maddie, freshman communication & rhetorical studies major

I have horrible time management skills.

14. William, senior music education major

I like to take time on Sunday to plan out my week on Google Calendar and put in blocks of time for things like classes when I'm eating when I'm going to do homework, and when things are due. Some other things I would do is put the extra reminders on what I should be doing during said homework hours.

Making a to-do list of things you want to be done on that day and just being able to break down BIG tasks into little steps to figure out what you can get done within a set time frame is really helpful! The hardest part about it is actually sticking with what you're going to do for the week, because things might come up, so make sure you also plan for those things as well.

15. Hannah, junior television/radio/film major

I have a tiny notebook where I write daily to-do lists. I also have a weekly planner that I occasionally use!

Gabriel, junior music industry major

You know that Daft Punk and Pharrell song that goes "I'm up all night to get... my work done because I procrastinated"? Yeah that's what I do.

16. Christopher, junior history major

I break everything I have to apart evenly by day. It makes everything seem more manageable when my law professor decides to assign us 250 pages to read in 5 days. Also, everything that's fun in college - partying, playing video games, etc., happens at night and during the weekends, so I get my work done on weekday mornings if I can and I make sure I do what I have to do for that day before I go to sleep.

If I make little deadlines for myself every day, I avoid screwing myself over by the end of the week. Generally, goodie-two-shoes studying tactics work for me, but they require a certain level of discipline. I also hate working when other people are having fun.

17. Collin, senior public relations major

Sometimes, I keep a notepad document on my computer with assignments. Other times, my computer shuts off and deletes said notepad document...

18. And finally... me! (freshman public relations major)

I have a weekly pull-apart planner that I write everything down in. Every class and their times, deadlines for assignments, rehearsal and where I'm rehearsing, sorority meetings, work... you name it, I write it down. I used to have a dry-erase one, but I'm so busy nowadays that I needed something bigger!

My time management skills definitely need improvement. I didn't join any social extracurriculars last semester, so I dove in headfirst this semester. I've been balancing my school work with an on-campus job, a rehearsal schedule, AND new member requirements for my sorority. Things have been crazy, to say the very least. I'm 100% not complaining; I'm loving every minute, but I need to plan out said minutes more accordingly. It's a work in progress!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Kardashians
W Magazine

Whether you love them or hate them, it's undeniable the Kardashian/ Jenner family has built an enormous business empire. Ranging from apps, fashion lines, boutiques, beauty products, books, television shows, etc. this bunch has shown they are insane business moguls. Here are seven reasons why the Kardashian/ Jenner family should be applauded for their intelligent business tactics.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

2734
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

2338
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments