Freshman Week by J. Randal Matheny

In a phone conversation some weeks ago with Jim Brown, Admissions Director at Freed-Hardeman University, he mentioned that one of the greatest challenges for incoming freshmen is time management.

Indeed, time is of the essence for a positive and successful college experience.

Here are my best ten tips for making the best use of your time in college.

1. Don't skip class. The class is the main event of college study. Here, teacher and student have their maximum opportunity to pursue learning. See the class period as the real reason you're at college.

2. Review class notes often, soon after the class. Weekly reviews will help you to retain the information needed and avoid last minute cramming for tests.

3. Plan ahead. Late-night stints to finish research papers and reports won't garner many good grades. Do assigned readings early, and pace yourself in getting assignments done.

4. Be on time. For class, with assignments and papers, for appointments, with deadlines. Punctuality keeps you on top of your schedule and your life.

5. Prioritize and balance your schedule. Put study and classwork up front. Fit in service and social clubs and other recreational activities behind your main task. Buy and use a week-at-glance planner.

6. Know what's expected. The class syllabus starts you off well, and tips from the professor and even former students will give you a good idea of his expectations and approach.

7. Choose your friends carefully. They will either encourage you in your studies or hinder your progress. Your roommate may be a key figure as well.

8. Choose your associations well. By that, I mean clubs and groups. Go for the professional groups in your area of study, the religious clubs that will encourage your spirituality. College is a time of great fun, and it should be, but why pay tens of thousands of dollars for just a good time?

9. Take advantage of advisors and mentors. In many universities, especially Christian institutions, so many good people are cheering for your success. The advisor's job is to help you overcome the challenges. Often, teachers are looking for capable students to take under their wing and mentor for future service. Search them out, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

10. Keep the end in view. When you walk across the graduating stage, what kind of record do you want to have left behind? The way you use your time today will determine your college history tomorrow, as well as future opportunities for employment, service, and success.

Lots of time management tips are out there, but the main issue is self-discipline. Mom and Dad are no longer standing over to prod and remind. If you didn't learn how to pace yourself at home, get up at certain hours, sleep at a decent time, you now have the challenge of using your time responsibly.

Self-discipline can be learned. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). As we crucify self and allow the Spirit of God to work in our life, we will produce the self-control needed for the tasks ahead.

That means Moses' prayer is also appropriate in this context. "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom" (Psa. 90:12 ESV).

It may seem there is so much time to do things. Numbering our days means, among other things, recognizing that the minutes are ticking and what needs to be done should be done as soon as possible.

No matter how old you are, Paul's words apply to all of us:

"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Rom. 13:11-14).

Time is the currency of life. Spend it well.