5- HABITS OR SKILLS THAT YOU PICKED UP AT COLLEGE THAT SURPRISE YOU

I never expected college to teach me how to manage my time. When I first started, I thought I’d just follow the flow, complete my assignments as they came, attend classes, and handle my personal time without planning beforehand. But as deadlines started to pile up like an Everest Mountain, I quickly realized that it is necessary for me to stay organized. I made a schedule to engaging myself to stick to my everyday routine. Unlike in high school, where teachers constantly reminded us about the due dates, college put the responsibility completely on me. I had to figure out on how to manage my time effectively and balance everything without falling behind.

Surprisingly, I picked up several time management habits along the way which I never expected that I would develop it.

 

One of the biggest lessons I learned in college was how to handle multiple deadlines and assignments at once. I remember where we had a presentation, test, and a deadline of Sir Asrah’s paragraph writing project in a day.

At that time, I felt like I’ve been buried 6 feet underground.

Leaving things until last minutes will end up stressing me out even more. So, having an organized schedule helps me to keep on track. However, managing time isn’t just about completing assignments. It also about balancing academics and self-care.

 

(pulled an all-nighters)

At first, I felt guilty about taking breaks, believing I had to be productive and study all the time to avoid falling behind.

Afraid of procrastinating, I often overworked myself. Instead of resting on holidays, I pulled all-nighters to revise multiple topics. At home, I would lock myself in my room to avoid distractions. Eventually, I got sick from overworking. Headaches, Stomachaches, Nauseous, and actually got 2 ulcers in my mouth that stayed there more than a week. That’s when I realized I needed to take care of my health too. To maintain balance in my life, I started eating healthy after classes, drinking at least two liters of Spritzer water every day, taking breaks when needed, and spending time with friends to relieve stress.

                    

Good time management isn’t just about getting things done. It’s also about maintaining a balance between work and well-being.

 

By managing my time well, I noticed several positive changes in my daily life. Good time management allows me to plan my study sessions properly, giving me enough time to understand what I’ve learned. This not only helps improve my study skills but also leads to better grades. By using my time wisely, I also have more free time for hobbies, socializing, and relaxation without feeling guilty, since I complete my tasks efficiently. This way, I can have fun with my friends while still submitting my work on time.

          

As the saying goes, “Time and tide wait for no man.” Learning to manage time effectively is a valuable skill that will benefit us throughout our college years.

Letters To My 13 Year Old Self