Heibutzki, Ralph. How to Manage Time to Get Good Grades. The Classroom | Empowering Students in Their College Journey, 6 July 2021, www.theclassroom.com/manage-time-good-grades-5752.html.

This is an informative article describing the challenges and stress faced by college students in their transition from heavily guided high school to the independent study that higher education demands. They describe time management as a skill that needs to be developed and practiced, a skill that does not necessarily come easily. Strategies are described such as using the phones calendar or a written planner, and the importance of getting enough sleep. Procrastination is also a common problem which in addition to poor academic performance can cause ill health such as compromised immune systems, gastrointestinal problems and insomnia.

This article is written directly to students and is refreshing in its almost parental, caring, and direct conversational tone. It points out many challenges common to all students and a way of looking at challenges as surmountable problems that when solved lead to greater success. The suggestions about time management are simple using phone calendars and planners and also refers to sleep, developing focus and defining what is needed to be not only successful academically but how that success then flows into a happy and successful life.

Misra, Ranjita, and Michelle McKean. “College Students’ Academic Stress and its Relation to their Anxiety, Time Management, and Leisure Satisfaction.”American Journal of Health Studies, vol. 16, no. 1, 2000, pp. 41-51. ProQuest, https://libproxy.highpoint.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/college-students-academic-stress-relation-their/docview/210480531/se-2?accountid=11411.

This paper is based upon a study involving 249 undergraduates attending a Midwestern University full-time. They were randomly selected. Ninety one percent were white. The majority of the students who responded by filling out questionnaires were female and sophomores who attended religious activities 75%, 25% smokers, 72.6% consumed alcohol with most respondents reporting binge drinking on the weekends. The results reported by the authors indicated that females were more effective time managers compared to males but also had higher levels of stress and anxiety related to academic stress. Extensive review of the literature indicated that leisure time activities as well as successful time management significantly reduced stress and anxiety. Freshman and sophomores reported more problematic issues than upperclassmen.

The research and testing of this cohort indicated that schools should offer time management classes for credit with an effort to be made in reaching freshmen at the beginning of their first semester. The limitation of the study is one of a somewhat biased population that may be unrepresentative of the general student population in this country. The extensive and complicated testing results were difficult to follow or extrapolate useful information. Common sense indicates that leisure time balanced with time management would lead to a reduction in stress and anxiety but doesnt rule out that poor academic performance, even with time management and leisure time, could also lead to the problem. The study does not offer constructive hands-on activities such as the use of planners or phone or computer calendars to manage time.

McWhorter, Kathleen T. Managing Time for Success in College. Managing Time for Success in College. Rogue Community College, 2021 https://web.roguecc.edu/strategies-student-success/managing-time-success-college

This is an informative paper produced by a college to assist students in developing skills to manage their time effectively. The statement insists that time management is controlled by establishing goals and following a schedule. Suggestions include creating a weekly priority list, a month-at-a-glance calendar and identifying committed, personal, and study time as well as establishing a study plan. It urges us to revise the plan to reflect what works most successfully as the student moves through the semester.

The two page handout is an effective reminder of how to effectively time manage especially for students who have not had a difficult time in high school but upon the transition to the freedom afforded in college are stunned by the change in how they must manage their time. It does provide in detail tips to create an effective schedule and is a reminder that the college does understand the challenge imposed.

Naturil-Alfonso, C.; Pearanda, D.; Vicente, J.; Marco-Jimnez, F, (PDF) Procrastination: The Poor Time Management among University Students. ResearchGate, 2018 www.researchgate.net/publication/326503837_Procrastination_the_poor_time_management_among_university_students.

This article cites the problem of procrastination in completing assignments in college. The authors point to the fact that it appears to be increasing prevalence and involves all students, no matter if they are excellent or poor students in terms of grades. They studied to see if increasing the time frame of when work was due if procrastination would be solved but it wasnt. Short and long term frame groups both had the same amount of procrastination. High levels of procrastination produce negative effects on performance and ability to organize and regulate study habits. They cite lack of commitment and encouragement, and inappropriate time management as contributing to the problem. There are no suggestions for improvement, merely establishing that procrastination is not a result of time impingement.

The studies conducted in this experiment yielded surprising results. If most students were asked about the pressure of study they would most likely answer that they did not have enough time to produce results to be handed in on time. The article refutes that answer pointing to procrastination as the issue. Time management is the answer to the problem. The use of something as simple as a planner or phone calendar is the easiest way to begin to organize and prioritize student work would appear to be an effective action.

Carolyn MacCann, Gerard J. Fogarty, Richard D. Roberts, Strategies for success in education: Time management is more important for part-time than full-time community college students, Learning and Individual Differences, Volume 22, Issue 5, 2012, Pages 618-623, ISSN 1041-6080, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2011.09.015. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041608011001786)

This abstract examines relationships between personality, time management, and grade point averages in 556 community high school students. The premise cited is that time management is more important to part time community college students as compared to full time students. They mention a European study pointing out that conscientiousness is as important as cognitive ability in obtaining successful grades so the authors hypothesize that conscientiousness also predicts success in community college. Of the 556 students participating in the study 323 were female, 47% White, 17% African American, 20% Hispanic, 6% Asian, 9% Other. They represented 20 institutions from all four regions of the USA. The results of the survey indicated to the authors that consciousness was at least as important as cognitive ability but due to the probable outside activity demands of part time students, that conscientiousness was particularly important for part-time community college students in terms of ability for successful time management.

Reviewing the testing results provided in the article, the hypothesis seems consistent with common sense. The cross section of those participating in the study was impressive with good representation of all backgrounds across the country. It stands to reason that conscientiousness leads to time management techniques which is not a surprise, but the article draws needed attention to community colleges where many students are heads of households or work full time jobs which places greater emphasis on the need for sound time management.

“Stress Management especially Difficult for College Students Stress Management especially Difficult for College Students.” University Wire, Jan 30, 2018. ProQuest, https://libproxy.highpoint.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/stress-management-especially-difficult-college/docview/1994543578/se-2?accountid=11411.

This is an article written by the University of Arkansas as a handout to students advising of ways in which to manage stress related to college success. Lots of informative tips on how to handle stress as well as information on traps to avoid are provided. Four out of ten students experience stress often, one out of four report daily daily stress and one out of ten reported thought of suicide according to a 2008 survery completed by mtvU and the Associated Press. The school offers free skills training related to time and stress management as well as counseling for $5 per 50 minute session. Its clear that this university takes to heart how serious the issue of stress and time management affects their student body.

Traditionally students hold stress in and don’t report it or seek treatment because they feel that they have no time and may feel that seeking help is a symptom of failure. The University gets points for offering this strategic help but it can’t be considered a success unless students utilize the assistance. It is shocking to read that suicidal thoughts are that common in the student population and further data is needed to confirm the prevalence and develop strategies to prevent it.

Twehues, Ashley, “Success and the Balance of Commitment and Time: Effects of Perceived Time Management Control on College Student Performance” (2013). Honors Theses. 130. https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/130

This abstract is a thesis that explores how the perception of control over time affects the time management that college students struggle with. The pilot study surveyed students at a medium size university. The thesis states that it is not that increasing free time will solve the issue of managing a busy schedule, but how the time that students have is managed. effectively. It is well researched and documented. The amount of free time does not equal success. The thesis explores the most effective combination of work, school and leisure activities and how effective time management makes positive balance possible. The author cites a study suggesting that its the perception of control over time that enables students to accomplish more and measurement scales were created to prove the theory. In one survey 67% of students reported time management as being their greatest challenge. According to The Theory of Planned Behavior students who learn, train and practice time management eventually change their perception that they dont have enough free time to complete school work.

This study is extremely informative and suggests a very interesting point of view: perception is the most important issue to consider in a rational approach to manage time. Time management training and practice then adequately arrange schedules in a fashion that puts students in control over how and when they can complete their work. My suggestions of phone calendars and planning notebooks are good ones but they need to be preceded by perception. It stands to reason that students need to feel that they are the masters of their time, not slaves to the dictates of due dates.

Anonymous “Time Management is a Skill all College Students Need.” Nepean Barrhaven EMC, Sep 02, 2010, pp. 16. ProQuest, https://libproxy.highpoint.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/time-management-is-skill-all-college-students/docview/749523936/se-2?accountid=11411.

This abstract centered on the fact that students attend school to study and learn, not to socialize, although socialization and becoming part of a schools community is also an important function of higher education. Tactics advised to lessen stress and improve the academic experience included learning to prioritize, not over-extending, keeping a planner, and staying as flexible as possible to head off any surprises such as illness, computer crashes or other problems that may occur.

The information offered in this abstract was short, sweet, and so practical that the tips could be received and understood quickly and referenced easily to remind students to rely on these hints to reduce stress. It is useful to any student regardless of sex, status, locale or cultural background, direct, hands-on, and easy to follow.

ODay, Kielan. Time management at college, 2021. High Point University. Public survey. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Uz0vEJad_XpiIErJ6lVJ9yl1oHFIfBczQLoYJcbWCl0/edit#responses

I created and completed a survey related to how students deal with their time management in college. There were 30 participants surveyed and I found that everyone had very similar answers and issues with time management while being in college. The survey contained 8 questions regarding time management and how students handle and manage it. The questions included; Do you struggle with time management as a college student? Does your current class schedule make you stressed? How many hours do you study for your classes per day? How much free time do you have per day? How is your time management at college compared to high school? Are you involved in any clubs and activities that you find hard to manage because of your school work? Do you use a planner or calendar to help with your time management? What is a good way that you think will help you have better time management while at college?

I found that 83% of the participants struggle with their time management at college, 63% of participants are stressed out by their current classes schedule, 56% of participants study for 3 or more hours per day outside of classes, 31% of participants have 3 or more hours of free time per day, 64% of participants have worse time management in college compared to highschool, 71% of participants are involved in clubs or activities that they find hard to manage due to school work, 37% of participants use a planner or calendar to help with their time management, and participants most common answer to what they think would be a helpful resource to help them to have better time management while at college included, having a calendar or planner, not procrastinating, keeping a daily routine, and planning days ahead of time.