12 Time-Saving Tips for Busy College Students

September 27, 2021 Nadya Corscadden

Are you constantly running out of time in your schedule?

It’s not just you - student life is SO. BUSY.

If you’re constantly staying up until the wee hours of the morning to finish everything, it may be worthwhile looking at a few ways to cut some corners in your personal life. Yeah, I know you don’t WANT to do that, but you’re spending a lot of money to be here, so you might as well get the most out of it!

Try incorporating a few of these time-saving tips to create a bit of extra wiggle room (or, you know, sleeping room) in your life.

12 Time Saving Tips for Busy College Students

ps I DO have to tell you…

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1) Batch-make meals

When you’re cooking, make enough for multiple meals - that way, you won’t have to fully-cook meals every day. If you’re the type who hates eating the same thing for multiple days in a row, freeze the excess in meal-sized portions so you have things in the freezer you can alternate with.

Another way to deal with this if you have roommates is to have a rotating meal day so that only one of you has to cook each day.

2) Start studying (or at least reviewing) early

Try to get some of your work done passively. This means spending lots of short bursts on the material over a longer period of time (as opposed to cramming last minute for everything). The more passive you can make the learning process, the less time you’ll have to spend, and the better you’ll know it!

For more ideas on how to work some passive review into your schedule, check out my other post:

Passive Review Methods - Start Today to Make Studying Easier!

3) Schedule in breaks

The best way to make your work time more productive is to stick to a conscious break schedule. This will help you from getting as distracted because you’ll be able to concentrate better knowing it’s only for a limited amount of time.

The more efficient you can make studying, the better, and the best way to do this is to focus on your studies when you are studying.

(sounds simple, right??)

If you want to get some ideas on how to start with this, check out my blog post:

How to Time Manage; 24 Systems to Unlock Your Productivity

4) Don’t get behind on adulting-necessities (like groceries and laundry)

If you leave things until the last minute, you’ll be more likely to forget things (aka you’ll have to do them more than once), and/or you’ll have to do them at the most inconvenient times.

When you fit in your random life-things in at efficient times, the world will reward you with more homework time.

5) Simplify your personal grooming routine

Have you ever wanted an excuse to wear less make-up? This is your chance! You can totally just roll out of bed and show up in sweats if you want!

While things like personal hygiene are always important, you might be able to get away with lowering your time with things like curling your hair and make-up…and for the guys…just keep showering and brushing your teeth, I guess? Other than shaving, I feel like everything is just so much less complicated for you….

6) Stop multi-tasking

While it’s tempting to do more than one thing at once if you can, usually the most efficient way of doing anything is to just sit down and do it. Then, either take a conscious break, or else it’ll be done and you can move on with your life!

The shortest distance is always a straight line, and homework is no exception to this rule.

7) Set reminders and/or create a life “to do list”

Instead of wasting brain power trying to remember things that aren’t schoolwork related, ALWAYS just write them down somewhere. The more you can tune out the world and focus on what you need to focus on, the more efficiently you’ll be able to work!

8) Figure out your most productive time of day

Some people are morning people, and others are night hawks. Some people have a sweet spot somewhere in the middle. Don’t force your brain to do things it doesn’t want to do unless you absolutely have to.

If you’re better at working in the evenings, put most of your work time then. If you’re better in the morning, go to bed nice and early so you have time for a work session before class.

9) Ask for help when you need it

If something doesn’t make sense, don’t dwell on it for hours. Put it down, and then try again in half an hour. If it STILL doesn’t make sense, ask! Your teachers are there for a reason, and there’s no use wasting a TON of time on something that they might have a simple explanation for.

Tutors are also a fabulous way of keeping yourself working efficiently if you find a subject challenging. Many schools also have peer-tutoring services that don’t have to cost a ton (and hey - while you’re there, sign up to BE a peer tutor in a subject you rock at as well!

For more on dealing with getting stuck, check out my other post:

HELP!!!! What To Do When You're Confused With Online School

10) Your commute is time, too!

If you’re spending time on public transit, use it to study or finish some of your easier tasks. If you’re driving or walking, there may also be hands-free things you can do…or else use the time to catch up on phone calls or consider it as a “break” that’s guilt-free, and filled with non-essential entertainment.

Time is time, so use it if you can!

11) Do a social media cleanse

Whether this means to totally shut it out of your life for a while or just to unfollow non-essential people is up to you.

If you still like it as a distraction on occasion, you can also always make a separate account just to follow funny videos and cartoons. Then use THAT as your occasional time waster. When you do it this way, you won’t get caught up in the life-comparison trap with every single human that you know.

If you find yourself getting caught up with social media regularly and don’t want to get rid of it, at the very least, set an alarm to remind you to put it down after a reasonable amount of time.

12) Have a standard “daily” bed/morning routine

No matter what your schedule is like, try to finish your day at a similar time (with obvious exceptions for when things just do NOT get done), and then get up at the same time. The more regular of a sleep schedule you have, the better your body will be at functioning.

Your body has different periods of types of sleep, and if you have a regular bed time and wake-up time, it knows how to distribute these times so it won’t have to wake up from a super deep sleep.

A proper sleep schedule will help your brain function efficiently, which will ultimately help you save time in the long run!

Also, if you know it’s bed-time in half an hour, you might be more motivated to work quickly to make that happen!

For more help with making studying easier, check out my book:

The Secret to Stress-Free Exams

This essential studying guide covers tried-and-true study techniques, note taking strategies for success, how to defeat studying burnout and much more.

What will you learn?

How to START studying
Study techniques and strategies to improve performance
Tips to improve focus and concentration
Note taking strategies for success
The easiest way to study in your unique learning style
How to abolish studying burnout
How to study smarter, not harder

So what's the secret to stress-free exams? Reading this awesome book, of course

Who is Nadya Corscadden?

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Nadya holds an MA in Musical Theatre and is no stranger to the home learning scene. Having spent a good chunk of her younger years in distance education (and opting for some correspondence electives at university), she has accumulated many tricks to help maintain focus and inspiration. She has a passion for independent learning and wants to help anyone and everyone find their stride in this atmosphere whether it’s homeschooling or simply studying for that next big test!

She is also a triple threat singer, dancer and actress….and can’t wait until stages are alive again!

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