Author: Sofarelli, Rebecca

Balancing Work and College

Working and going to college can be difficult since it limits the time you have for study. If you are a full-time student, consider working on campus instead of off-campus. Students that work on campus tend to be more connected with staff, faculty and other students. Working full-time and going to school full-time does not work. There are not enough hours in the day to complete everything that needs to be completed. It is best to work no more than 10 – 20 hours per week if you are a full time student.

If you need to work full-time:

Be cautious of how many courses you take in a semester. It is strongly suggested that if you work full-time, take two to three courses per semester.
Be organized and use time management strategies.

For more information contact:

Leigh Bailey, Counselor 769-1551 x4861 lbailey@gulfcoast.edu
Becca Sofarelli, Academic Coach 769-1551 x2829 rsofarell@gulfcoast.edu

www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infocs/Study/litening.html
www.dartmouth.edu/admin/acskills/no_frames/Isg/notetaking. html
www.mtsu.edu/~studskl/tmt.html
How to Stop Procrastinating, Lucier, Kelci Lynn, About.com College Life: http://collegelife.about.com/od/TimeManagement/ht/ How-To-Stop-Procrastinating.htm
What Is Time Management?, Lucier, Kelci Lynn, About.comCollege Life, http://colegelife.about.com/od/TimeManagement/a/What-Is-Time-Management.htm.
Quick Study®Keys to College Success
Confident Student – Third Edition. Kanar, Carol C.
Your Guide to College Success – Strategies for Achieving Your Goals, Santrock, John W. and Halonen, Jane S., Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1999, pp.54 – 66.

References

Compiled by
The Counseling Center
Of
Gulf Coast State College
November 2001
Updated: September 2013
April 2015, October 2017, June 2018
August 2020

Pathways to College Success

Time Management

Principles of Scheduling

Overcoming Procrastination

Time (Self) Management

“”Time management” can be defined as a person’s ability to keep things balanced in their life. It involves the setting of realistic expectations, a willingness to say “no”, and a healthy perspective for the short-term horizon. Time management requires both discipline and flexibility. In a nutshell, time management could be described as a person’s willingness and ability to prioritize things that are most important to them.”
Quoted from About.Com College Life

Basic Time Management Tips

Use time effectively – Know what needs to be done by creating goals, the activities needed to meet the goals, and what the priorities are. Then know when to do it by estimating the amount of time it will take, use schedules, and be flexible.
Learn to say no – choose the activities that are the most important to you.
Learn to make use of wait time – bring flash cards, notes, or books with you to appointments and study while waiting.
Learn to schedule your time – use a monthly and weekly calendar. Write down all your activities, appointments, classes, study, time, assignments, and fun time. Study time is calculated by how many hours you are in a class times 2 or 3 hours of study. Example: 3 credit hour class x 3 = 9 hours of minimum study for one class. Have a daily “to do” list and prioritize your list.
Be careful not to over schedule your day.

Prepare for class
Study immediately after class
Study at the same time each day
Plan enough time to study
Study in short increments of time
Prioritize your activities
Study during prime times for you
Have flex time
Analyze your use of time
Analyze your use of time

Steps in Setting Priorities

Make your to-do list either at night or first thing in the morning. Estimate how long each task will take and determine importance of each task. Do the most important task first.
Follow your list. Make sure the most important tasks are completed.
In the evening, check your list and see what was completed and what still needs to be done. The tasks not completed need to be the priority of the next day.

Decide on a time management system and use it for one month.
Set deadlines and put them on your calendar
Be organized
Use the services on campus such as math and English labs, library, etc.
Make a game of it.
Divide large tasks into smaller ones
Have an accountability partner
Reward yourself for completing the task.

Additional Information for
Students with a Partner and/or Children

Communication with your partner is very important. Talk with your partner about your schedule. Plan ahead so that schedules can work together and not conflict each other.
Try to build study time into the time you spend on campus. Studying on campus is more effective and allows you to utilize the services on campus. Come early or stay after your classes and get most of your work done on campus.
Make a home schedule that includes study time. Help family understand that this is your time.