Time Management by Paige

Time Management by Paige - May 2015 Scholarship Essay

Perhaps the most important academic lesson or skill that I have learned from my peers is time management. This lesson was not taught in a classroom setting, but in a social atmosphere where I was forced to make mature decisions about managing my time. The concept of time management was lost on me; I never realized that the organization and meticulous planning of my present could drastically affect my future.

Coming from a small town, I was thrown in to the college culture and I took full advantage of it. Being a student athlete, I had practices every night, games every weekend, and regular team bonding events. On top of the time I committed to my sport, I found enjoyment in the party lifestyle that accompanies the typical college experience. My priorities were skewed and I needed a reality check.

Luckily, being a part of a sports team is like being a part of a family. I was shocked to see my first semester’s grades were less than average. I brought my grades to some of my teammates, genuinely confused about how I could go from being an A+ student in high school to a below average student in college. My friends were up front and honest about my behaviors, and the upperclassmen even helped me come up with a detailed schedule of classes, homework time, practices and games. I never realized that instead of napping during the day in between classes, I could use that time to go to the library!

My teammates taught me to treat school like a job. If I did my work from 9am to 5pm, I would be able to enjoy myself more because the stress of not doing well in school would be minimal. Because I changed my lifestyle and learned the important lesson of time management early on, I was able to plan for my future. I worked to achieve a GPA that was acceptable for graduate school admissions. My acquired time management skills affected my life on multiple levels. My social life improved, my grades gradually rose, and my mental health was strong. I am forever thankful for my second family, my team, for teaching me the most important academic lesson of my life.