By: Erika Wuelfrath, Account Coordinator
Throughout the past three years I have learned dozens of valuable lessons that have guided me into my senior year at Florida State University. These lessons include: always carry an umbrella (regardless of how sunny it may appear), how to patiently find a parking spot on campus, and most importantly how to manage and prioritize your time. Time management is crucial throughout the fall semester because it is consistently one of the busiest times of the year, which can lead to difficulty in balancing your social life and studies. The months August through December are a strenuous time for most, whether you are a student, like me, or a parent working 9 to 5. Around this time of year your calendar often explodes with dozens of activities such as football games, countless meetings and parties to attend, as well as the holidays that seem to pop up out of nowhere. With this hectic schedule it may appear impossible to create a balance, but there are many simple skills (and apps!) to assist you with this ongoing problem.
1) Take time to plan your day: From the moment your alarm rings until the time you sit down to eat breakfast, take at least 15 to 30 minutes to strategize your day. By the time you have finished your first cup of coffee you will have a concrete outline displaying what direction your day will head in. This period of planning is essential to having the smooth sailing day you have always dreamed of.
FSU Tranz (Free) This app allows you to find out whether the Florida State University parking garages are full or if there are available spots. With convenient gas gauge displays, a map, and up-to-date announcements, you are sure to increase your odds of finding a parking spot on campus. (Available for students and faculty parking lots)
Alarm Clock Pro ($.99) This is not your average alarm clock. App includes sleep timer, detailed weather, alarm function that allows you to choose custom alarms from your music library, and a light-up display will ensure you will wake up happy and ready to take on the day.
2) Carry a calendar: You should always (and I mean always) have a calendar on hand. Whether it is a small notebook buried in the bottom of your bag or an app on your smartphone – it is imperative to have one. A calendar allows you to schedule important events while monitoring your time. A calendar also allows you to take notes on the time you allot for a certain activity and compares the amount of time the activity actually requires. This will help utilize the time in your day to the fullest, as well as display where all of your time is actually going.
Schedule Planner (Free) Simplify your daily schedule and track your priorities and efficiency. (Pro version available for $5.99)
3) Prioritize events within your schedule: Throughout the course of your day there are always relatively unimportant tasks that tend to consume a majority of your time. By prioritizing your daily tasks, your time and energy will be spent on those that are truly important to you. Along with prioritizing tasks within your schedule you must be aware of what is considered a non-essential task. These tasks throughout the day include, going shopping, which is relatively unimportant when compared to studying for an exam, or arriving to work on time.
Prioritask ($1.99) Simple and easy to use, allows you to prioritize your schedule by ranking each task with color-coded sections of High, Medium, and Low priority. Also permits you to control the color scheme as well as make sub-lists in order to further extend your calendar organization
4) Leave time for emergencies/unplanned activities: While planning out your day you should always leave time for emergencies and unplanned activities. These activities may include: visiting your academic advisor, car trouble or heavy traffic, teacher office hours, doctor’s appointments etc. Having these breaks in between activities will allow your day to run both smoothly and efficiently.
Beat the Traffic (Free) Displays traffic jams and real time incidents in your area, gets personalized information regarding your specific daily routes. Allows for quick and timesaving travel from place to place. (Plus version available for $3.99)
5) Remove distractions: When you are focusing on an important task it is crucial to isolate yourself from any distractions. Distractions are extremely counterproductive, and if you’re anything like me the slightest interruption throws me completely out of the loop. As difficult as it may be to put the iPhone away, it must be done in order to achieve ultimate productivity. If you are working on an important task, turn your phone on silent and minimize your email…unless it is crucial to getting your work done it should not be active. Instead, designate a time throughout your work period, perhaps the last ten minutes of every hour, to check your phone and emails. Most importantly, leave all forms of social media behind when trying to complete a task. Unless these tools are being used for business, operating Facebook and Twitter while trying to be productive will only prolong your amount of time sitting in front of the computer.
Netproofer ($.99) A user-friendly app that allows you to restrict access to specific websites with a simple on and off switch, temporarily block YouTube or Facebook while you are at work, in class, or whenever you need to get things done.
Regardless of what milestone your life may reside on (student, parent, or business professional), a structured calendar is critical in order to sustain a stress-free and organized lifestyle. By simply utilizing these tips and mobile applications mentioned above, your schedule will not only run more proficiently, but you will set a positive tone for your fall semester – and beyond.