Time Management
By Patrice

My typical day includes: a half day of classes; my work-study job; too many meetings, studying; and – oh, yeah – dinner, when I think of it. Sometimes I feel like screaming, crying, or just giving up completely. I think have occasionally screamed or cried. But, I have never given up completely. Am I a madwoman? No, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed.

My best friend gave me some very good advice. She said, “Patrice, you are not Superwoman.” Wow, it was that simple! Often, I would feel that I had to prove myself, both because I am a woman and also a minority, not to mention being a college junior. So I felt an underlying pressure to prove myself to men, whites, and graduate schools. But I’m not Superwoman and I don’t have to prove myself to anyone.

My reasons for having a busy schedule may not be the same as yours; so please, take a minute and think about why you have a busy schedule. Regardless of whether and how much our reasons differ, we can all take charge of our own life and busy schedule without having a total meltdown. Time management is the key to keeping everything together. Here are some tips on time management:

• Lighten the load. I found this the hardest thing to do because I hate to quit on anything I’ve started. So, I don’t think about it as quitting, but as giving myself a delay. A lot of the courses I want to take and clubs I want to join are offered the following semester. They won’t disappear if I don’t take them right now. What can you do at a later time, whether that’s next week, next semester, or next year?
• Organize. It is easier for me to recognize all of my tasks, if they are organized in one place. I am a visual learner, meaning that I retain information better if I can see it; so I am a big fan of day planners, dry erase boards, and post-it notes. But, organization is not limited to visuals. If you learn best by what you hear, try recording your tasks on tape, perhaps accompanied by your favorite music. Many cell phones have built-in planners where you can set the alarm for an upcoming event. Or, if you are a kinetic learner (you learn by doing, by using your hands), try writing down your tasks on post-it notes and arranging them in a spiral or other design that puts the most important tasks at the center. When a task has past, you can simply remove the post-it note or create another design of completed tasks.
• Avoid procrastination. I know from experience that a procrastinator’s favorite phrase is “I’ll do it later.” This has nothing to do with lightening the load (tip #1). When it’s time for a particular task, I get to it because putting it off until the last minute just adds to my frustration and when I have to rush a task, such as term papers, I’m often disappointed in the quality of my work. So, take a tip from me, begin the task that’s next on your list as soon as possible.
• Take “me” time. I started making my own jewelry and I find it very relaxing. Take a break and pursue some activity that you enjoy or that relaxes you. If you don’t already have an enjoyable hobby, try reading, writing, or drawing. Give yourself a “spa day” at home and pamper yourself or treat yourself to an espresso, a special dessert, or dinner out.
• Make time for friends and family. Friends and family are irreplaceable. Being with people that I love and who care about me is the best! It helps me to talk with someone I trust because it is so much easier to understand my frustrations when I talk them out than to figure them out in my mind. So, make time for your family and friends because talking with them can reduce your troubles to a manageable size.
• Take care of your health. It is so easy to neglect our basic health needs when we are wrapped up with busy schedules. Healthy eating and plenty of water are great for the body and they are necessities for life, too. A daily multivitamin can also help us through the day. And, don’t forget sleep. Sleep is the body’s “me” time, the time when the body can relax and repair itself. Sleep is also the time for dreams, when our minds play freely.

So, if we want to conquer the world and pursue all the desires of our hearts, we need time management to make the process flow easier. Remember, we don’t have to prove ourselves to anyone. We don’t have to be involved in everything. Follow your own path and let time management help you stay on it.