Time management: Is it a key to success? by Becca

Time management: Is it a key to success? by Becca - February 2023 Scholarship Essay

There are many soft skills that come to mind when thinking about which one has the biggest impact on a successful education. Some of these include determination, communication, and organization. Although those are great, I feel as if the one that makes the biggest impact is time management. Obtaining this soft skill can equip individuals for success by helping them prioritize tasks, be smart with their time, and learn how to set achievable goals for themselves.
In high school, learning how to manage my time efficiently was a struggle. I would always find myself staying up late on school nights and finishing homework the night before it was due, even though I had that same homework assignment for over a week. This ruined my sleep schedule which in return, made my days and social life miserable. Miles Davis has a quote that states "Time isn't the main thing. It's the only thing." This quote speaks volumes and is a daily reminder that all we have is time, we just need to learn how to manage it in an effective manner in order to succeed.
After learning how to be smart with my time, the rest was a piece of cake. I then proceeded to prioritize my tasks and make smart, obtainable goals. This started with buying a planner. In this planner, I learned how to write down all of my assignments on the corresponding due dates. I now use this skill in college to help me stay on top of my tasks. I love planners not only for the actions of writing down a busy schedule, but you can also write down future goals and aspirations. Here recently, I have loved turning a page in my planner to a new week and seeing a goal that I have accomplished, but wrote down prior.
When students effectively manage their time, they are able to reduce stress and avoid procrastination habits. This aids students in acquiring better grades and keeps them intentively focused on their school work. Additionally, good time management enhances self-discipline which can go beyond just educational success. An individual may use both good time management and self-discipline in many stages of their lives including the workforce, marriage, and parenthood.
Overall, learning how to manage time in an effective way can help an individual obtain educational success and put great habits in place that one may carry for a whole lifetime. Learning these skills now, while being a student, will equip me with tools that I will have and use for the rest of my life.