I’ve never been fond of the saying, “That’s a waste of time!” I don’t believe any activity, investment, or task is inherently a “waste of time.” What this phrase is really trying to say is that certain things can be a poor use of time, depending on the situation and the person. For example: Someone who finds no pleasure in the journey, looking only at the destination, would say that driving is a waste of time compared to flying. Likewise, someone else who enjoys the thrill of finding “hidden gems” on a long road trip would find a direct-to-destination flight to be a bad use of their time.
If you’re spending so much time on something that it’s interfering with your ability to get other tasks done, affecting your relationships with others, or negatively impacting your health, it might be a sign to cut back. Here are 5 ways college students may spend too much time—and how to take back control of it:
Social Media
Scrolling through feeds, posting updates, and engaging with friends online can take significant time. Remember that social media is meant to serve you, not vice versa. Start by asking yourself, “Why am I using social media?” Are you trying to grow your followers as a professional, staying in touch with friends, or simply looking for entertainment out of boredom? All the above?
Once you’ve identified your reason(s), reframe your approach to using social media based on your motivation. Can you fulfill that need another way, or perhaps be more specific about your usage? Here are some ideas:
- Choose specific days and times to create or publish content on social media.
- Set a timer to limit your scrolling, researching, or commenting (10 mins. in the morning, etc.).
- Put your phone on airplane mode during class, study time, or other important tasks.
- Balance your communication by connecting with friends through other methods, like phone calls or weekend hangouts.
Video Games
I’m a lifelong gamer (currently living in the worlds of Teyvat and Midgar), and I love nothing more than immersing myself in a good story or a fantastical world. Unfortunately, during college, many students find themselves gaming all day (or night!) at the expense of their studies and sleep. With a few personal guidelines, however, you can pass your classes without metaphorically pressing “pause.”
- Prioritize your commitments first. Think of video games as a privilege you earn. (You’ll enjoy them even more when they feel like a prize!)
- Use games to socialize with friends and family, rather than always playing alone. This may also help with accountability.
- Set a timer. Minimize playtime during the week or on school-heavy weekends.
- Be deliberate about “downtime” throughout the day when you play, such as while waiting for class or during your lunch break.
Parties & Events
Social gatherings and parties, while fun, can sometimes interfere with academic responsibilities and personal well-being. However, especially if you’re an extrovert, parties help you relax and socialize. Once more, balance is key!
- Be a “mindful” partier. Choose outings for their quality over quantity to get the most from the experience while also meeting your commitments.
- Give yourself a cutoff time. For example, arrange for someone to pick you up at a certain time. This creates accountability.
- Mark upcoming social gatherings on your calendar or alerts; then, work ahead on any assignments so you can enjoy the day without deadlines.
Texting & Messaging
Constantly engaging in conversations via text or messaging apps can be a major distraction. Because texting happens in a continuous flow, it can result in a pattern of interruptions, making it difficult to focus fully on writing that research paper or studying for that exam. Interruptions literally devour time—and disrupt mental concentration. In fact, the average interruption takes over 23 minutes to fully refocus!
- Avoid the interruption. While you work, put your phone on airplane mode, set it out of reach, or put it on silent and turn it upside down.
- Set a timer. Work until the time is up; only check your phone when the timer goes off.
- Designate specific periods when you’re free to text, such as during your lunch break, in the morning before you start your day, or after dinner.
Sleeping In / Staying In Bed
Like food and water, sleep is necessary for life—and sometimes we overindulge. It’s tempting to lay in bed for hours, scrolling through your phone, or keep hitting “snooze” on your alarm. However, oversleeping can lead to missed classes and a disrupted daily routine. Consider these tips:
- Make a habit and stick to it. Get in bed by a certain time, and set your alarm (out of reach!) to wake you up at a certain time.
- Create an incentive for getting out of bed. Watch an episode of a show, make your favorite smoothie, or go walking with a friend.
- Ensure you get the right amount of sleep (7-9 hours). Sleep fuels your body, mind, and spirit, helping you be productive, happy, and energized.
- Cut back on your “sleeping in” time bit by bit. Can you get up 5 minutes earlier? Increase the time as you build tolerance, until you reach your goal.
Other Time-Savers
Can you think of other ways that you spend too much time? Here are some ideas:
- Commuting: If you live off-campus, long commutes can take up valuable time that could be spent on studying or other productive activities. Is living on or near campus a good alternative?
- Lunch/Dinner: Can you pack lunch in 5 minutes instead of 20 minutes? Would a simpler meal plan help save you shopping and preparation time?
- Procrastination: While you avoid the thing you don’t want to do or feel afraid to do, procrastination eats up your time with overthinking, anxiety, or distraction. Fortunately, you can beat procrastination with a few tips!
- Indecision: Yes, you can spend too much time waiting around for something to do! If you frequently find yourself lost in thought, bored, or directionless, start by writing down some goals and then making a do-to list to keep you on track.
- Overcommitting: Do you have a hard time saying “no” to every opportunity that comes your way? Overcommitting to clubs, organizations, or opportunities can eat into your time. Ensure a healthy balance between campus involvement and personal needs.
Get Back Control of Your Time
Do you feel like time is controlling YOU? Or that finding work-school-life balance is impossible? You’re not alone! EFSC has many resources to help you manage your time, including:
- Time Management & Organization Workshop – Watch this self-paced workshop to learn techniques and tools to help manage your day.
- Career Center – Meet with a Career Center Coordinator to help wrap your head around your future, including your careers, jobs, and professional development.
- Academic Success Center – Need help with an upcoming math exam or research paper? Meet with professional tutors to get your questions answered and work through assignments.
- Success Strategies for College and Life (SLS 1101) – This EFSC class will empower you to use critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and time management skills to make academic, life, and career decisions. Many students have called the course “life-changing!”
- Success Specialists – These specialists help you reduce stress, manage your time, organize your day, find financial resources, and find your voice.
- SAIL Office – Students with documented disabilities can get assistance removing physical, instructional, and attitudinal barriers to success.
Remember: It’s never too late to regain control of your time. Start by identifying one area where you spend too much time; then, choose one small tactic to help you reduce the time spent. Even a small change can make a big difference for the rest of your life!
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