Are you struggling to get your assignments done on time?
Do you feel like you never have enough time to do the things that you want?
The best way to take control of your time is to build a rock-solid schedule.
Make sure that you have accounted for everything.
Stop wasting time.
The biggest mistake I saw people make at university was poor time management.
Check out these steps for how I scheduled my time at Uni.
1. Add your courses
Let’s start with a blank slate.
The first step is to add in all the time you need to be in class.
To start, put in all your lectures, tutorials, and labs with the building and room number so you know when and where you need to be.
Below is an example from the mechanical engineering program that I was in.
I used T to denote a tutorial class and L for labs.
I didn’t have labs every week but put them in there just to get started.
On weeks that I didn’t have labs, I just used that time to study.
2. Add your morning routine and commute to school
Next, add in your commute.
For me, this was a bus ride that was a little over an hour.
It was a long commute but gave me time to listen to a podcast or read a book.
Now you can add in your morning routine.
I give myself about an hour to shower, get dressed, pack my bag, and eat breakfast.
Once you’ve got the morning routine in there, now you know what time to set your alarm.
3. Add your sleep
Now we can add in sleep.
Start from the time you need to go to bed and work backwards.
I like to schedule in a little over 8 hours.
It is easy to get rundown at school, so a little extra sleep goes a long way in keeping your brain sharp.
4. Add your nighttime routine and commute home from school
After a long day of school, you need time before bed to relax.
Your brain will thank you.
I set aside an hour before bed for my nighttime routine:
- Eat dinner
- Watch an episode of anime
- Read a book for 30 minutes
Next, add your commute home from school.
Again, for me, this was another hour-long bus ride back home.
5. Add work and extracurriculars
Ok, now we’ve got all of the courses and daily activities in the schedule.
It’s time to add in work and extracurriculars.
For me, I didn’t work while I was studying.
If you are working while you study, add it in there now.
Next, the fun stuff.
I signed up for ultimate frisbee intramurals and went to the gym a few days a week.
I also added a hike and some yoga on the weekends.
If you are in a club, add that in there now.
6. Add in chores, socializing, and studying
Next, add in your chores.
For me this looked like this:
- Laundry
- Clean house
- Buy food for the week
- Prep meals for the week
Next, add time to socialize.
I always liked to hang out with friends on Saturday nights.
I left some time for socializing on Sunday morning as well.
The LAST step is to add in studying.
You can see that by the time we add in all the other stuff, there is not that much time left to study.
This is OK.
Your health and well-being always come first.
You can still get good grades without spending countless hours studying.
In fact, it is a requirement.
You need to keep your brain in good health to succeed in school.
Conclusion
Having good time management is essential for having a successful university experience.
Getting good grades, staying healthy, and having good relationships.
Start first by adding in what’s necessary, then add in physical activity and socializing.
Finally, study with whatever time you have left over.
Want to take a closer look at the example schedule?
Download it here and check out the week of September 12, 2022.