3 answers
Lila
Student
Walcott, ND
1
Question
Updated
532 views
What are helpful time management tips I can use when I go to college to balance schoolwork, sports, and a social life?
I will be attending college next fall. I am definitely going to join the track team, and there’s a chance I will also be on the volleyball team. I am also planning on being an engineer, so classes will be a bit challenging. I am hopeful to find new friends and acquaintances as well as participate in many clubs at college.
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3 answers
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
154
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Lila,
Time management is one of the critical skills that many organizations train their workforce in. The truth is that everyone has only 24 hours each day. How much we achieve each day therefore depends on how well we manage time.
Good planning improves our daily achievements. We need to spare time for work, rest, leisure, travel.
To be effective and efficient, we need to assess due workloads, time requirements for the different activities and resources requirements to carry out planned activities. We then prioritize our activities. Focus on what is important. Important things help us achieve our goals in a significant way. If urgent things are not important, we need to defer them to a later date. We also need to be aware of what is fully, partially in our control & what is completely out of our control and have contingencies for dealing with them (delegation, influence, support).
Being able to schedule our activities ensures that our time is fully booked. Scheduling takes into account sequencing of and time allocations for planned activities. Ensuring compliance to schedules is important. Contingencies do occur - opportunity cost of changes in schedules need to be taken into account.
In addition to tracking compliance to schedules, we also need to monitor and track results derived from our activities. In the event that our routines and projects are not producing the desired results, then we need to find out why (problem solving). Identifying and resolving root causes creates improvements. We can improve the planning process, methodologies for our activities and content of our activities.
Progressively, we become more effective and more efficient. This way, we manage our time and other resources better.
Time management is one of the critical skills that many organizations train their workforce in. The truth is that everyone has only 24 hours each day. How much we achieve each day therefore depends on how well we manage time.
Good planning improves our daily achievements. We need to spare time for work, rest, leisure, travel.
To be effective and efficient, we need to assess due workloads, time requirements for the different activities and resources requirements to carry out planned activities. We then prioritize our activities. Focus on what is important. Important things help us achieve our goals in a significant way. If urgent things are not important, we need to defer them to a later date. We also need to be aware of what is fully, partially in our control & what is completely out of our control and have contingencies for dealing with them (delegation, influence, support).
Being able to schedule our activities ensures that our time is fully booked. Scheduling takes into account sequencing of and time allocations for planned activities. Ensuring compliance to schedules is important. Contingencies do occur - opportunity cost of changes in schedules need to be taken into account.
In addition to tracking compliance to schedules, we also need to monitor and track results derived from our activities. In the event that our routines and projects are not producing the desired results, then we need to find out why (problem solving). Identifying and resolving root causes creates improvements. We can improve the planning process, methodologies for our activities and content of our activities.
Progressively, we become more effective and more efficient. This way, we manage our time and other resources better.
Siva Kann
VP of Products & Technology
42
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hi Lila,
You’ve already received some solid advice around planning and scheduling. I won’t repeat that. Instead, I want to challenge the frame of the question a bit.
I’ve shared this before in a similar discussion, and it may be helpful context for you:
https://careervillage.org/questions/1181376/answers/1181953
The short version is this: there is no such thing as time management—only priority management.
Everyone gets the same 24 hours. What differentiate you is how clearly you decide what truly matters.
When you go to college, it is given that work hard. But do you do too many things that don’t align with your values, goals, and aspirations is the big question?.
In the interest of pursuing lot of things, sometime important things will quietly suffer—usually sleep, mental health, or academic depth.
A few thoughts to consider:
1. Start with WHY not HOW: Before asking how to fit everything in, ask What kind of engineer do I want to become? What do I want to be known for by the time I graduate? Which activities genuinely move me toward that vision?
2. Less is often more: Being meaningfully involved in 2–3 things you truly care about will create more impact, learning, and fulfillment than being lightly involved in 10–15 clubs.
3. Focus creates freedom: When your priorities are aligned, decisions become easier. You won’t feel guilty saying NO to things. Your work quality improves because your attention isn’t constantly split
4. Social life happens naturally when you’re doing things that matter to you—sports, projects, shared goals—relationships form organically.
If you can get clear on what truly matters to you early on, balancing academics, sports, and life becomes much less about juggling and much more about choice.
Wishing you the best as you start this exciting chapter.
You’ve already received some solid advice around planning and scheduling. I won’t repeat that. Instead, I want to challenge the frame of the question a bit.
I’ve shared this before in a similar discussion, and it may be helpful context for you:
https://careervillage.org/questions/1181376/answers/1181953
The short version is this: there is no such thing as time management—only priority management.
Everyone gets the same 24 hours. What differentiate you is how clearly you decide what truly matters.
When you go to college, it is given that work hard. But do you do too many things that don’t align with your values, goals, and aspirations is the big question?.
In the interest of pursuing lot of things, sometime important things will quietly suffer—usually sleep, mental health, or academic depth.
A few thoughts to consider:
1. Start with WHY not HOW: Before asking how to fit everything in, ask What kind of engineer do I want to become? What do I want to be known for by the time I graduate? Which activities genuinely move me toward that vision?
2. Less is often more: Being meaningfully involved in 2–3 things you truly care about will create more impact, learning, and fulfillment than being lightly involved in 10–15 clubs.
3. Focus creates freedom: When your priorities are aligned, decisions become easier. You won’t feel guilty saying NO to things. Your work quality improves because your attention isn’t constantly split
4. Social life happens naturally when you’re doing things that matter to you—sports, projects, shared goals—relationships form organically.
If you can get clear on what truly matters to you early on, balancing academics, sports, and life becomes much less about juggling and much more about choice.
Wishing you the best as you start this exciting chapter.
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Lila. One of the most effective strategies is to create a weekly schedule. You need to write down all your fixed activities, like classes, track practice, and possible volleyball practice or games. Then, plan time for studying, homework, and rest.
It is important to decide what tasks are most important. College classes, especially in engineering, can be tough. Therefore, you should focus on urgent tasks like studying for exams before doing less important things, like optional club meetings. You can also break big assignments into smaller steps with deadlines. This can help you reduce stress and make your workload feel less overwhelming.
Balancing sports with school needs planning. Practices and games take time, but you can use small gaps for homework or reviewing notes. You can also talk to your professors if sports conflict with classwork, they can often help you stay on track.
You can still have a social life and join clubs, but remember to make time for rest and self-care. Sleep, healthy food, and breaks are important for your brain and body. By planning, setting priorities, and being flexible, you can enjoy college and do well in all areas. All the best.
It is important to decide what tasks are most important. College classes, especially in engineering, can be tough. Therefore, you should focus on urgent tasks like studying for exams before doing less important things, like optional club meetings. You can also break big assignments into smaller steps with deadlines. This can help you reduce stress and make your workload feel less overwhelming.
Balancing sports with school needs planning. Practices and games take time, but you can use small gaps for homework or reviewing notes. You can also talk to your professors if sports conflict with classwork, they can often help you stay on track.
You can still have a social life and join clubs, but remember to make time for rest and self-care. Sleep, healthy food, and breaks are important for your brain and body. By planning, setting priorities, and being flexible, you can enjoy college and do well in all areas. All the best.