By Saron Gebereegziabhier
Trinity Times Correspondent
Time management is often cited as one of the greatest challenges students face in college — and for good reason.
With academic deadlines, campus involvement, part-time jobs and personal responsibilities, managing time becomes less of a skill and more of a survival strategy.
In a recent episode of Trinity Times’ podcast Enlightened Exchanges, students from Trinity Washington University shared their struggles and strategies for mastering time management, many of which they learned through a course called Mentor Moments.
According to Ayana Raysor, a third-year biochemistry major, time management goes beyond organizing a schedule — it’s about boosting productivity while reducing stress. One of the most effective tools she’s used is the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks study time into 25-minute intervals with five-minute breaks.
“I was struggling a lot in most of my classes,” Raysor said. “So, I decided to use [the Pomodoro Technique] when I got home, and it actually helped me a lot. I was able to finish many assignments that day.”
Her peer, Cindy Andrade, a second-year biochemistry major, emphasized the importance of a proper study environment.
“If you’re at home, laying on the bed, you know the TV is on, you have your phone next to you … that would not be considered a great study environment,” Andrade said.
Instead, she advised students to seek out quiet, distraction-free spaces such as the library — and to avoid studying with friends if it leads to off-topic conversations.
Students also highlighted proven academic techniques like the Cornell Note-Taking System and active recall. Andrade explained that the Cornell method encourages students to “break down your notes into three parts: cues, main notes and a summary. It’s more of an organized way to study and has been shown to improve critical thinking and test performance.”
Zasia Hill, a second-year psychology major, stressed the importance of staying ahead on assignments.
“Please don’t fall behind,” Hill said. “Stay on top of your assignments, because when you miss one assignment, it’s like you miss ten.”
She also recommended using calendars and planners to keep track of deadlines and events.
“I personally have a big calendar in my room on my wall,” Hill said, “so I can see if anything overlaps.”
However, not every planning system works for everyone. Andrade admitted she “bought so many planners” but often lost or forgot about them. Instead, she found success using a digital to-do list she created in a programming class.
“I’m able to put a due date, prioritize it,” she said. “It’s been really helping me.”
When it comes to accountability, Hill said the visibility of her wall calendar keeps her grounded.
“It’s like screaming at me to make sure you do the work,” she said.
Meanwhile, Andrade said she sticks to personal deadlines to stay ahead.
“I try to force myself to have things due by a certain day, so I can stay on top of it,” she said.
The students also acknowledged that setbacks are inevitable — and offered advice on how to recover from them.
“I believe that the technique that helps me the most is not trying to ignore the fact that life happens,” Hill said. “But I say that you acknowledge that life happens. You acknowledge that you kind of fell back, but at the same time, you have to hold yourself accountable that you’re still responsible to turn in these assignments.”
All the students agreed the Mentor Moments course offered more than just academic advice — it served as a reminder that time management is about balance, self-awareness and building habits that support both success in college and growth beyond it.