This guest post was written by Chris McCullough, the CEO of Rotageek, a digital scheduling and workforce management software provider. Having started his career as an A&E doctor, Chris quickly spotted the opportunity to use technology to help solve the scheduling problems in his department. Chris focused Rotageek’s initial proposition on the healthcare sector, based on his experience, but later explored the retail and leisure industries, as opportunities for the solution to solve particularly difficult challenges within those sectors.
Time is one of the most precious resources we have. For students, who are often juggling academic responsibilities, social commitments, and part-time jobs, managing it well can be the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Learning how to manage time effectively not only helps students succeed during university, but also equips them with a critical skill they’ll rely on throughout their professional lives. In this article, we’ll look at how students can practice time management skills throughout university life, the benefits of learning these skills now, and the importance of them in the workplace.
The Challenge of Juggling University Life
University life is a time of immense personal and professional growth. For many students, it’s the first opportunity to balance multiple, often competing, priorities. From lectures and assignments to club meetings and social events, there’s always something vying for attention. Add a part-time job into the mix, and the demands on a student’s time can feel insurmountable. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, miss deadlines, or sacrifice personal wellbeing.
Without effective time management, students may struggle with missed deadlines, stress, and even burnout. Developing personal scheduling skills allows students to take control of their time, ensuring they meet their obligations while still carving out space for rest and relaxation. It also helps to:
- Stay Organised – By knowing what needs to be done and when, students can avoid last-minute scrambles.
- Reduce Stress – A well-structured plan alleviates the anxiety of forgetting tasks or running out of time.
- Maximise Productivity – Allocating time efficiently means students can accomplish more without sacrificing their personal lives.
- Build Confidence – Meeting deadlines and fulfilling commitments boost self-assurance and trustworthiness.
University Activities to Enhance Time Management Skills
University life offers plenty of opportunities to practice time management, especially through extracurricular activities. Joining societies, taking up leadership roles, or participating in sports teams helps students learn to balance competing priorities and make the most of their schedules. Adding extracurricular activities to the schedule can help to teach key skills such as:
- Project Planning: Students in leadership roles often need to plan events, coordinate with members, and meet deadlines, teaching them the importance of forward-thinking and task prioritisation.
- Commitment to Routine: Regular training sessions or rehearsals instil discipline and encourage students to allocate time for recurring activities.
- Quick Decision-Making: Participating in group activities often involves adjusting to sudden changes, helping students adapt while staying on track.
- Balancing Deadlines: Students involved in extracurricular activities have to balance these responsibilities with coursework, teaching them how to manage overlapping deadlines.
- Learning Prioritisation: Extra activities alongside academic work, force students to make decisions about which tasks are most urgent and important. These prioritisation skills are invaluable both at university and in the workplace.
How Part-Time Jobs Build Scheduling Skills
Many students take on part-time roles to support themselves financially during their studies. These jobs – often in retail or hospitality – can be demanding, especially during peak times like holidays. However, they also provide a real-world setting in which to refine scheduling skills.
- Time-blocking and Shift Management
Retail and hospitality roles usually involve fixed shifts. Learning to coordinate work schedules with academic commitments helps students understand the value of time-blocking, a strategy which can improve efficiency and reduce stress.
- Handling Unpredictability
The nature of customer-facing roles means that no two days are alike. Students learn to adapt and manage their time effectively when unexpected challenges arise, a skill that is crucial in any profession.
- Team Coordination
Working as part of a team in retail or hospitality often involves coordinating schedules with colleagues. This experience teaches students about collaborative scheduling, which is essential in modern workplaces.
- Learning Flexibility
Customer-facing roles in retail and hospitality are inherently unpredictable. Adapting to fluctuating workloads and last-minute schedule changes prepares students for the dynamic nature of professional life.
- Understanding Team Dynamics
Shift-based work requires collaboration and communication to ensure coverage and fairness. This experience provides insight into the importance of coordinated scheduling in a team environment.
Why Time Management is Essential in the Workforce
Time management is more than just a student survival skill. It’s a cornerstone of professional success. The ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to challenges ensures productivity and efficiency in the workplace. Without it, even skilled professionals can struggle, leading to missed opportunities and unnecessary stress.
Effective time management enhances focus by allowing professionals to concentrate on high-priority tasks, improving both the quality and timeliness of their work. It also builds trust and reliability, as consistently meeting deadlines demonstrates dependability—a key trait valued by employers and colleagues.
Beyond productivity, time management supports work-life balance. By organising schedules and setting boundaries, professionals can excel at work while preserving time for personal commitments, reducing burnout and maintaining overall wellbeing.
Final Thoughts
Time management is a skill that benefits students throughout their academic journey and into their professional lives. Whether learned through university activities, part-time roles, or a combination of both, scheduling skills are essential for navigating the demands of modern life. By learning to juggle academic commitments, extracurricular activities, and part-time roles, they lay the groundwork for professional success beyond university life.
Author: Chris McCullough, CEO at Rotageek