Kaito’s Corner: A Day in the Life
To succeed in college, students need to have good time management skills. This is because university life offers a lot of freedom and flexibility, which can be both a blessing and a curse.
On the one hand, it allows students to pursue a wide range of activities, such as schoolwork, part-time work, hobbies, and social activities. On the other hand, it can also lead to unnecessary tasks being prioritized over urgent ones, resulting in missed deadlines, incomplete assignments, and poor grades, but by learning the time management skills, students can effectively balance their responsibilities and commitments, ensuring that they make the most of their time in college.
The transition from high school to college was quite a shock for me. I had always envisioned college as just the next level of high school, but boy was I wrong.
It was much more than that. The workload is heavier, and the pace is faster. I was constantly occupied, and it was a stark contrast to the leisurely lifestyle I had been used to in high school.
Given the sheer amount of work, I found that I had to be very cautious about how I structured my schedule. I had to plan every minute of my day carefully so that I wouldn't miss anything important or end up with conflicting commitments. It was a lot of work, but I knew it was necessary if I wanted to succeed in this new environment.
To give you an idea of the kind of schedule I had to maintain, let me describe a day for me in college.
I usually wake up early in the morning, say around 7 am After getting dressed in my uniform, I would have a quick breakfast before heading to my part-time job at 8 am. I worked until 11:30 am, then returned home to change my uniform to a regular shirt, prepare my school supplies, and leave the house by 12 pm to go to my class which started around 12:30 pm.
After my classes end at 3:30 pm. I would work on my homework or projects at the college that I had to finish by 5 pm. Then I would come back home around 5:30 pm to prepare for my Taekwondo class that started at 6 pm and ended at 7 pm.
Finally, after a long day of busy tasks, I would return home around 7:30 pm, have dinner, and unwind for a bit before going to bed. This was the kind of schedule I had to maintain if I wanted to keep up with my coursework and stay on top of my game.
If I quit the other tasks besides the college, it could be easier for me to focus on the college tasks but I would not do that. Here are some thoughts I have about the tasks besides college:
Part-time job
During my time in college, I found myself struggling to balance my part-time job with my academic commitments. Before starting college, I had been working five days a week, but once I started attending classes and had assignments and projects to complete, I found myself with less and less time to devote to my job. Eventually, I had no choice but to reduce my work schedule to just two days a week so that I could keep up with schoolwork.
Despite the challenges of balancing both, I was determined to keep my part-time job because it was essential to support myself financially.
The income from my job covered important expenses such as tuition fees, rent, and everyday costs, and I simply couldn't afford to quit. Additionally, I enjoyed the social aspect of my job and appreciated the camaraderie I shared with my colleagues.
Managing my time between college and work was indeed difficult, but I felt that the experience was ultimately beneficial for me. I learned a lot about time management, prioritization, and discipline, and I also gained valuable work experience that will help me in my future career. Moreover, my part-time job provided a welcome break from the demands of college and allowed me to connect with people outside of school. Overall, I feel that my decision to balance both was the right one for me at that time.
Taekwondo
As a college student, my days are often filled with classes, assignments, and various other responsibilities. However, I always make sure to reserve a few hours in the evening for my taekwondo class. Despite being a demanding and time-consuming activity, taekwondo offers me various benefits that make it worth my while.
Firstly, taekwondo helps me build self-esteem. Learning new skills and techniques, and then mastering them, gives me a sense of accomplishment and confidence that carries over into other areas of my life. Knowing that I'm capable of defending myself if needed also boosts my self-assurance.
Secondly, taekwondo is an excellent form of physical fitness training. It involves a lot of cardio and strength-building exercises that keep my body healthy and in shape. I always feel energized and refreshed after a taekwondo class, and I know that my body is getting the exercise it needs.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, taekwondo is the best stress reliever for me.
As a first-semester college student, I often feel overwhelmed and stressed by the workload and new environment. However, having a hobby that I can turn to when these stressful times arise is invaluable. Taekwondo classes provide me with a positive outlet where I can release my stress. The exercises, such as hitting different punching bags, jumping up and down on mats, and many other things, help me forget about my worries and focus on the present moment.
Overall, taekwondo is an essential part of my daily routine that brings me many benefits. From building self-esteem to physical fitness to stress relief, I'm very grateful for everything that taekwondo offers to me.
Developing time management skills is not only important for success in college but also in the workforce. In today's fast-paced and competitive world, employers value employees who can manage their time effectively and efficiently. By demonstrating good time management skills, students can not only excel in their academic pursuits but also set themselves up for success in their future careers.
In conclusion, time management is a crucial skill that every college student should strive to develop. It not only helps them to balance their various responsibilities and commitments but also prepares them for success in the workforce. Therefore, students at the University of Guam should prioritize learning and honing their time management skills as an investment in their future success.