RELEASED: Nov. 20, 2003

DANVILLE, KY—For many first-time college students, the freedom and social opportunities of the post-high school experience can cause a plunge into an academic "black hole." New friends and activities, combined with a dose of procrastination; can be overwhelming.

As first-year students discover, college courses don't meet everyday like they do in high school. With all of the extra time outside of class it may seem tempting to join a game of Ultimate Frisbee on Tuesday afternoon instead of working on that English paper that's due on Thursday. After all, there's plenty of time, right?

A few busy Centre students know the challenge of finding time to study, while also attending club meetings and hanging out with friends can be conquered with just a little bit of time management. Here's their advice.




Jill Embrey '06
Hershey, Penn.
Plans to declare a double major in religion and government with a minor in environmental studies
Currently enrolled in 13 hours of classes

Activities include: Centre Democrats; opinion editor of the Cento, Centre's student newspaper; volunteer at the Danville Humane Society; Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority member; intramural football and soccer; captain of a BLISS (Body Love Inspiring Strong Students) Fitness Challenge swim team; and appeared in the play Complete Works of William Shakespeare

"I'm a list Nazi. I make sure to write everything down in my planner.

"I make a big calendar to list projects and papers to see how long I have to work on stuff. I also make a post-it note at the beginning of the week with all of the little things I have to do like errands or small projects.

"If I have a week with a lot of academic work, I'll miss a meeting or get something to eat from the Grille and take it back to my room instead of eating at Cowan. I try to make little adjustments so I don't have to spend all night studying. I have to get my work done. I have to get an education first.

"I really want to make a big difference when I get out of Centre. Also, I want to be involved in the Centre community because it offers great opportunities to develop leadership skills."

Katie Kelley '05
Bardwell, Ky.
Psychology major
Currently enrolled in 13 hours of classes

Activities include: Centre Christian Fellowship; information technologies chair of the Student Government Association; student judiciary; resident assistant on the second floor of Cheek Hall; membership education vice president of Alpha Delta Pi sorority; intramural football

"Throughout the day I try to use every minute I can instead of waiting for a big chunk of time to appear, because that doesn't happen.

"I carry around the student handbook with its built-in calendar. I make daily 'to-do' lists on post-it notes, and I write on the white board on my door. I tried the whole Palm Pilot thing, but it was too much trouble to put everything in.

"I've gotten better at realizing I don't have to do everything every week. People are usually pretty understanding."

Kevin M. Jones '04
Mt. Washington, Ky.
Double major in sociology and music
Currently enrolled in 16 hours of classes, including four regular three-hour classes, one three-hour audit, and one-hour of applied lessons for music

Activities: Executive director for Up 'Til Dawn (campus fund-raiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital); head usher at the College's Norton Center for the Arts; admission tour guide; employed by the admission office 10 hours per week

"I prioritize when I can. Classes that demand attention get it. I spend as much time on academic work as is required to do a good, thorough job. I usually devote at least a couple of hours every night to some kind of homework assignment, reading assignments.

"I do a lot of schoolwork over the weekends too. Having all day on Saturdays and Sundays can really help you get things caught up.

"Up 'Til Dawn is important to me because it serves a wonderful cause. So I make time for its necessary activities. Except for Thursday nights, I don't really schedule time for socializing. It tends to happen naturally.

"I have a calendar with due-dates scribbled on it and approximate dates on which I should begin big projects.

"I make it a point to have assignments turned in on time. I take my school work seriously because I truly value my education.

Alex Chase '05
Casco, Mich.
Double major in anthropology/sociology and English
Currently enrolled in 16 hours of classes

Activities include: Intramural football; research/program assistant for Beau Weston, Centre associate professor of sociology and Centre Scholar; Alpha Delta Pi sorority member; TABS (Telephoning for Admission By Students), an admission office program that calls prospective students; Vantage Point staff, a literary magazine produced by Centre students

"Prioritize. I can do homework in between classes. I'm also a night owl and I do a lot of work at night. This semester I've started getting up early. I'm learning to be productive at 5 a.m.

"The hardest thing I've found about time management is finding a place to study where I'm not distracted. The best time to study in the library is on Saturdays when no one is there.

"I live by my agenda and my "to-do" list. I try to do a schedule, too. I study certain subjects on certain days.

"It is better to start on assignments a little earlier. It gives you more windows of opportunity for asking questions of teachers. Centre professors are great and very helpful. You end up with more free time by starting earlier, and you do better."

- end -

For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.

Back to News and Events Home Page