Bakersfield College

Time management is one component of a successful college career. Making the right choices about how to utilize time is one of the most important decisions a student can make while attending college. The greatest advantage is gaining control of your life and that begins with effective planning.

Unlike high school, a college schedule can be very unstructured because you alone control the schedule you choose. It is not mandatory that you go to school from Monday through Friday as several sections of each class are normally offered at different times. You choose those times that best fit into your own personal schedule taking into consideration working hours, activity and family commitments.

Study time is a key to academic success. Most college classes require significantly more study time than high school classes. When setting up a time schedule for studying, plan on two hours of study per week for every unit of class. Most college classes are 3 units so they would require, on the average, 6 hours of study time per week.

As a general rule it is recommended that: If you work no more than 40 hours per week 6 units 30 hours per week 9 units 20 hours per week 12 units 5-15 hours per week 14-16 units

Advantages of Scheduling Your Time

A schedule gets you started
It will help you get studying and course assignments done on time
It helps you prevent avoiding disliked subjects
It will save you time by improving studying efficiency
Monitors slackening off
It makes certain you will have definite amounts of free time without harming your studies
Motivates and helps to solve concentration difficulties
Regulates our daily lives
Using a Calendar for Scheduling
The first day of classes, put all assignments on appropriate due dates
A week before due, break the assignment down to daily portions and enter them on the calendar
For major tests or papers, begin far in advance to set daily objectives.
Keep work load moderate, and allow plenty of time
Use the calendar to monitor procrastination tendencies

Suggestions for Making a Weekly Time Schedule

Build your schedule around fixed time commitments such as classes, labs, and employment
Plan adequate study time to do justice to each subject
Study at a regular time and in a regular place
Schedule weekly review times for each course a. For lecture courses (history, sociology, etc.) the time immediately following class periods is the best time to revise, expand, and review your notes b. For participation courses (speech, foreign language, etc.) the time just prior to the class should be used to study the day’s assignment
Schedule recreation time and activities essential to daily living such as eating, sleeping, dressing, and commuting
Distribute your study time. Short, daily study periods for each course are better than one long session for each course
Experiment until you find the best way to use your time.
Although schedule adjustments may be necessary, make sure borrowed study time is paid back.

Bakersfield College

Student Services

Time Management