(ThyBlackMan.com) They’re your babies, and then they grow up and fly the nest. Unfortunately for moms and dads, kids can’t wait to get to college when they reach the right age. The idea of the partying and independence is enough to fill them with excitement. Forget about the thousands of dollars in tuition fees – let’s have a good time!
Most freshman and women don’t realize how hard it is to study and enjoy the experience until they’re in a dorm room. Suddenly, the prospect of college isn’t as exciting when there are multiple deadlines and not enough hours in a day. So, they stock up on energy drinks and pull all-nighters in the library.
Is it any wonder students deal with burnout and stress in their first year? Thankfully, your kids don’t have to deal with the typical life of a freshman with the right time management tips. Here is a selection which will come in handy that you can pass on to your fledgling chicks.
List EVERYTHING
Let’s not beat around the bush – 18-year-olds take a casual approach to study. In their head, loosely remembering their deadlines and starting to write an essay two days before is organization. Sadly, the small things and some of the big ones fall through the cracks and it this affects their mental health. There is nothing worse than a deadline popping up out of the blue.
That’s why it’s vital to write down everything, no matter how ‘insignificant.’ That way, an important closing date shouldn’t take them by surprise and stress them out. A cool tip is to mix studying with work (if they have a job). Listing the different shift patterns should help them figure out when they can go to the library, when they can clock in, and when they can chill.
Nowadays, a pen and paper are obsolete so show them how to create a schedule on their laptops or phones.
The Early Bird
Catches the worm according to the saying. Kids hate getting out of bed before midday, and this is particularly true during the offseason. The gap between school finishing and moving to college is a big one and they’ll try and bunk off as much as possible. That means sleeping in and lazing around the house as if they’re men and women of leisure.
While it’s nice to let them relax – they do deserve it – sleeping in only develops a bad routine. Once they live in a dorm on their own, they’ll never get out of bed before 12 pm. An excellent way to manage time is to wake up and attack the day to utilize as many hours as are feasible. They’ll hate you for it, but this is why you need to get them out of bed at the crack of dawn. Further down the line, they won’t be able to evade the routine.
Also, give them things to do during the day to boost their work ethic. Being busy should hopefully encourage them to take on more at college.
Outsource
College is a personal journey, one they have to do alone. At least, that’s what the colleges like to say yet it isn’t the whole truth. Students, the ones that are under the pump, can outsource their tasks to reduce their workload. An essay writing service isn’t plagiarism nor is it a risk if they choose the right one. The trick is to avoid pre-planned papers.
A less frowned upon alternative is to participate in group work. Professors and lecturers love it when students work as a team, so your children can exploit this loophole. Collaborative work lets them focus on one area while the rest of the group deals with their assigned role. There is no fuss or hassle, just a calm, assured session of research.
Last but not least, the teachers are there to teach so make sure they’re not afraid to ask for advice. Journal and book recommendations will save them huge chunks of time.
Avoid Distractions
Procrastinating is an art and college students are masters. Any distraction, from a thread on their jacket to YouTube video, will encourage them to waste time. And, they don’t need much support in the first place.
Parents like to play hardball, yet this is often a mistake. The best tactic is to teach them to take regular breaks. Working hard for thirty minutes at a time is more productive than doing ninety minutes staring at a screen.
Also, teach them to reflect on where they work the best. Is it the library? At home? Maybe in a coffee shop with a little bit of an atmosphere?
Staff Writer; Bobby Ross