Make the Time

The Importance of Time Management During Finals

BYERICA DICK Staff Writer

It is reaching the end of the semester, and the light can be seen at the end of the tunnel, but there are a lot of potholes along the way. Late-night study sessions, papers, projects, and finals are standing in the way between students and summer break. It may be tempting to only want to relax. But unfortunately, students must make time to do all of their remaining schoolwork while still reserving time to recuperate and be with friends. In situations as stressful as the end of the school year, time management becomes increasingly important. By prioritizing what must be done, avoiding multitasking, and planning finals, the end of classes can look less intimidating.

Prioritizing the tasks needing to be completed is the best place to start. Say there is a final paper for class due that is twenty percent of the class grade, a quiz worth ten percent, and a homework assignment worth five participation points. The task worth the most points should ideally be completed first. By completing the paper before the other assignments, it is finished before mental exhaustion sets in. Another advantage of writing the essay first is that a major stressor will now be out of the way. By prioritizing tasks, more time and energy can be dedicated to the smaller assignments without the presence of a more extensive assignment looming overhead. Overall, time will be more effectively managed with this method.

The next way to effectively manage time is by avoiding multitasking. Multitasking may seem like a good idea at times, but in reality, it is simply dividing attention between multiple different efforts. The mind is a powerful tool, but it is most powerful when focused. Suppose the attempt is made to divide time between two or three ideas simultaneously. In that case, one may feel productive initially, but it can be predicted that focus on each task will dwindle over time. It makes sense that writing a paper while constantly picking up the phone would not work well. The same can also be said for doing several courserelated tasks at the same time. Doing one thing at a time will help the mind focus more and will allow for better time management.

Finally, when overwhelmed, the importance of planning what the upcoming days will look like and when tasks will be completed cannot be overstated. Keeping a planner up to date does not take long, and its benefits can be felt throughout a hectic work week. An abundance of tasks can seem chaotic, but chaos can be avoided if the work is planned out. By planning out when to complete assignments and sticking to that plan, a more successful way of managing time is achieved. Who knows, maybe when time is scheduled properly and the plans are adhered to, breaks, rewards, and time with friends could be thrown into the mix!

The end of the school year is in sight. The only things left between all students and summer break are a few weeks and assignments. The stress of the final few school days can be overcome! The time left in this school year can be easily managed by prioritizing what must be done, avoiding multitasking, and thoroughly planning tasks/days.