SteveYi
When I was a freshman in college, I used to think hanging out with friends in the hallway between classes was cool. But after nearly flunking the first semester, I realized that there was no substitute for studying.
Because of the hardness of the lesson, I took my learning seriously and dedicated myself to becoming an excellence student.
Many students, especially freshmen, struggle with time management. What may initially seem like causal fun can eventually lead to academic failure. The good news is that this harmful habit can be avoided.
In this article, you will discover tips that can help you maximize time and achieve excellence in your college years.
Before we dive into how to avoid wasting time between classes, it is important to understand what it really means. Wasting time, in this sense, means socializing with friends when you should be in the library organizing notes, gaining clarity, and studying for the next lesson.
Tips for Taking Change of Your Time
Several practical adjustments can reverse your tendency to waste time between classes and get on the right track.
Tip #1 First, acknowledge that you have a time management problem that can get out of control and result in academic failure.
For example, barely passing a final exam because you do not know 80% of the answers is not an issue you can forget about and keep going toward success.
I found out the hard way during my freshman year. I lost time and money because I had to repeat a class that was required to graduate.
Tip #2 Embrace the discomfort of avoiding friends in the hallway. I know it is not easy meeting up with friends and sharing your daily experiences. You may feel that you are missing out, but consider what is at stake.
You want to master your major with honors and become the number one choice of the profession you are pursuing. Wasting time between classes is not going to help you reach such a prestigious goal.
Therefore, discipline yourself to avoid gathering with friends when you should be heading to the library to review, organize lecture notes and study until the next class. At first, you will be tempted to backslide, but persistence will help you develop the habit of prioritizing your time and space.
Tip #3 Develop a winner’s mentality. Seek to continually raise your level of excellence until you stand out from the crowd. When you go the extra mile in any endeavor the doors of opportunity swing wide open.
This is a great position to be in upon graduation. Opportunities in your profession will locate you and open doors that will be closed to those of your peers who just want to get through the college experience.
In addition, students who possess a winner’s mentality are willing to say no to the temptation of wasting time. They avoid harmful influences that might endanger their chances of becoming number one in their profession or industry.
Tip #4 Seek Support and Wisdom. College advisors and counselors were a reliable source of support for me when I was not motivated at times in my college experience. The strategies they provide can encourage and empower you to persevere through tough times.
Moreover, embrace mentors, including professors, who can lead and guide you along the journey. Because you are human and subject to the common problems of life, you will be occasionally confronted by challenging times. You will need motivation, strength, and understanding to keep striving for excellence.
Also, you can join support groups consisting of peers. Such groups meet to comfort, support, and empower each other to keep reaching for the sky.
Tip #5 Focus on the person you are becoming. This is the person you want to be when you receive your degree.
Whenever you become discouraged, say to yourself:
“I am becoming greatest in my profession”
“I am becoming excellent character”
“I am building incredible strength,
“I am developing the highest values.”
You are developing an identity that will cause many obstacles in your way to lose power and vanish in your sight.
So, which should you choose -wasting time or committing yourself to excellence: the honest answer is it depends on how dependent you are on your friends for personal acceptance. But if you value becoming number one in your field, avoid wasting your time between classes.
The trap is not choosing wrong-it is spending the college journey paralyzed by unhealthy dependency. Use this perspective: pick the option that will increase your value to your family and society. Then commit to raising your level of excellence.
