“How do you maintain life and dirty laundry? I need a deep dive into time management as a college student with newfound responsibilities and independence.”
Can I say something controversial? I love doing laundry. I love the smell of fresh laundry. I find peace in the repetitive motion of folding clothes. It’s the perfect quiet time in my hectic week.
Additionally, I take pride in taking care of my clothes. I’ve spent hard-earned paychecks on jeans, and making sure my clothes are clean and folded gives me a sense of accomplishment.
If you know me, you know that I take care of my clothes. I’m always hesitant to lend an extra hoodie to a friend. “Don’t stretch the neck out,” I always say with puppy eyes. Clothes are something that should be taken care of, and I encourage you to find pride in taking care of your belongings.
Nonetheless, I will answer your question, assuming that you don’t enjoy doing laundry and consider it a tedious chore. If you dislike the task of laundry, I recommend listening to a podcast or audiobook. That way, your time isn’t spent only doing laundry – your time is spent doing laundry and listening to something entertaining.
In terms of general time management, one way I’ve learned to get better at scheduling my time is by planning my day like a 9-5 job in college. On Saturdays and Sundays, I avoid schoolwork like the plague. On Fridays at 5 p.m., I clock off for the weekend. I consider the weekday times my working hours – I answer emails, I get homework done and I study for an upcoming test.
Obviously, night classes and other items may get in the way of this but do the best you can.
Additionally, it might be a good idea to get a Google Calendar. In fact, OU gives students a Google account automatically, so you already have the app through your login. Put your classes down. You can even color-code different events.
Another good idea is to write down all the tasks you have to complete that week. What assignments are due? Are there any exams this week? Look through your Moodle course pages and the syllabi and see what you need to get done.
While balancing an internship, a journalism job and sixteen credits, this was a major hack that helped me out. I knew what I had to complete that week and when it was due.
Benjamin Franklin famously said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” It applies in this context too – prepare yourself. See what you have to do, map out your week and plan ahead.
Lastly, you don’t need to be perfect. Go easy on yourself. I’ve had nights where I submitted my essay at the last minute or accidentally missed an assignment. College is the time when you’re meant to learn these things – you don’t magically become perfect at managing your time and responsibilities.
This is something that needs to be learned through trial and error. Figure out what system works best for you and take time to figure out your habits and preferences.
Worst comes to worst, consider the eye bags from your all-nighter a style accessory and buy yourself an overpriced coffee. If you can’t be a perfectionist and have a color-coded Google Calendar, you may as well romanticize the academic chaos. There’s a certain charm to it – the scribbled notes, the frantic typing and the desperate prayers to the Wi-Fi gods as you upload your final essay within 60 seconds of the due date.
It’s not perfect, but it’s a rite of passage. Nothing screams “college student” like barely holding it together.
