TIME MANAGEMENT FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

MADISON FREELAND, TRUMPET STAFF WRITER

“I am frustrated with myself that I cannot get back to the person I once was.”

An anonymous survey on time management was recently released to all Wartburg students in the Juice. Out of the 57 responses, 70.2% of students said that COVID-19 has had a negative impact on their time management. According to the Wartburg College website, 1,564 students are currently enrolled. 

Of those same students, 87.7% wish to improve these skills. Nicole Willis, disability and access coordinator at Wartburg, said she encourages students to use an academic planner, check their My.Wartburg and email accounts often, and access student resources. 

While an academic planner might organize an overwhelming workload, it cannot fix the mental health issues brought on by COVID-19, according to Willis.  

“I think it’s an added layer of stress,” Willis said.

In the survey, students had an opportunity to anonymously write how COVID-19 has impacted their time management skills. Many students revealed they have been struggling. 

 “I always seem to be distracted with something else during Zoom classes. I also have no motivation to get any assignments done,” wrote one student.

“I’m always on devices for everything now. Taking classes, submitting homework, FaceTiming friends in quarantine, communicating with professors, watching movies, and online shopping are all happening through my laptop. I used to be able to compartmentalize most of these pieces of my life, being present in one and ‘turning off’ the others in my brain but since COVID has forced everything to go virtual, I am so much more likely to be distracted by a notification or random thought that I can immediately turn my focus to. Now, assignments take about triple the amount of time they should – not because they’re more difficult, but because I got four emails and ten Twitter alerts while I was working. It’s maddening.”

“The stamina I used to have to complete assignments, readings, etc. is lower with the pandemic. The tasks I could once complete quickly and efficiently I struggle to find motivation. I cannot pinpoint the exact reason, but I am frustrated with myself that I cannot get back to the person I once was.”

“If everything is online, I feel like I have less face time with my peers and professors. This makes me more unlikely to ask questions or reach out to those around me for help understanding or studying the content.”

“I have had less motivation to do school work as I am spending so much time at home.”

When asked about the recent lack of motivation seen in students, Willis said students live in a difficult situation. 

“I don’t think it’s the students’ fault,” said Willis. “Some people just do better in the classroom, and if they aren’t having those experiences, it’s difficult, you know, for them.”

However, Willis said she encourages students to use the resources provided for them, including the free counseling services located in Pathways. 

“They could have some mental health of anxiety related to COVID specifically that they didn’t, you know, have before,” Willis said. 

To schedule an appointment with a free college-provided counselor or learn more about tips for managing stress, visit wartburg.edu/counseling/.