For Cameron Freitag, time management involves balance and pacing.
Juggling class five days each week and volunteer work, Freitag, a junior Nursing major, understands the importance of balance.
“I have classes Monday through Friday,” she said. “I also volunteer with the food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays before class. … In between my classes, I will do homework or relax, and then when I get home, I will do the same thing.”
Freitag admits her schedule has affected her mentally and socially. “I get emotionally and physically drained,” she said. “Sometimes when I have a lot going on I have to take a second to calm down. “I take it day-by-day and distribute homework depending on when it is due,” said Freitag.
“I make sure I make time for myself to relax because it is important to maintain your mental health.” She admits that she’s had to change her ways to get everything done. “I have a problem with procrastination,” said Freitag.
“If I did things when they were assigned instead of waiting until the last minute or closer to the due date, it would be less stressful. “To stay on top of all her responsibilities, Freitag plans out each week. “I use a physical planner, go through my syllabuses, and write down when things are due, when I have doctors’ appointments or work,” she said.
“I print it out so I can have blocks of time when … things are due, and that keeps me more organized versus trying to remember when things are due.” She also believes it’s important to pace the work. “Do a little bit each day, whether it’s studying or homework,” Freitag said.
“You need to distribute it between the days because if you cram, it will make the whole experience more stressful.”
Finally, she has learned that sometimes – no matter how much she plans – her schedule just has to change. “Th ere have been times when I had to rearrange something or cancel plans that I had,” she said. “Things come up and I do have to rearrange things.”
Changing plans usually works out.
“A lot of professors are pretty accommodating, depending on the situation,” Freitag said. “It works out pretty well most of the time.”