Alright, so as of a few days ago, I’ve officially been here at OU for over a month. And although it has been extremely hectic and stressful at times, it’s definitely been worth it. I’ve probably learned more in this past month than I did my entire freshman year in high school. So I’m here to offer a bit of advice: just a few things that I wish someone would have told me when I started college. Because after all, college is a huge transition, and we can all use help in the beginning.

1.) Learn to prioritize – Only you know how much you can and can’t handle in your schedule. College is all about becoming responsible for yourself, so it’s up to you to spend your time where it’s needed. Whether it’s balancing between calculus homework and studying for an economics exam, or deciding whether to stay out late one night, we all have to learn how to prioritize and balance the many things in our schedules.
2.) Write everything down – In college, there is so much to remember: due dates, homework assignments, meetings for student organizations. Trying to cram all that information in your head will only hurt you. Things will be so much easier if you just write them down, especially if you buy a daily planner. You’ll be able to actually see what your schedule looks like on paper, which can help things seem a bit more manageable.
3.) Get your work done early – We all procrastinated in high school, especially our senior year. In college, getting things done early will help you out tremendously in the long run. It will free up your schedule and allow you to have more free time later on in the week.
4.) Use your time in between classes wisely – Even if it’s just an hour, try and do something productive in between your classes. Work on homework, try and find time to eat a meal (which can be harder than it seems in college), or take a power nap. This is also something else that will free up your day.
5.) Exercise – This has proven to be the most useful thing I’ve learned during my time at OU. If I’m feeling tired, stressed, or overwhelmed, 30 minutes of exercise helps me focus more and get more work done.

Hopefully some of these tips will help you guys out; they’ve definitely changed my time management habits for the better!