While many factors contribute to becoming a successful graduate student, time management is an essential ingredient. Nonetheless, it is a task that many students struggle with on a daily basis, which is why some graduate students urge undergraduate students to develop time-management skills now.
"I don't manage time properly because I lack self-discipline at times," said Lydell Morrision, a second-year pharmacy student. "I tend to study the night before an exam." Other students often have full-time commitments outside of school, which hinder their time management, such is the case with first-year pharmacy student Adrienne Russell.
"I am juggling so many things in my life as a graduate school student - school, work, and family," he said. "My biggest problem with time management is not knowing where to place my time and not feeling guilty for not being able to spend more time with my family."
Junior nursing major, Gwen Morris admits she does not practice good time management, which consequently affects her grades negatively.
"We all need to set aside time to study everyday and don't wait until the last minute to complete assignments," she said.
In order for graduate students to have proper time-management skills, they feel it is important to begin developing them during undergraduate years.
Paulette Lawrence, a second year pharmacy student uses a very detailed calendar in order to keep herself organized. She had good time management skills as an undergraduate and they have continued into graduate school.
"Don't procrastinate," she said. "Give up something small now for the big payoff in the end - sacrifice."
Lawrence feels this advice would help many students, especially on the undergraduate level to begin now in avoiding the pitfalls of the last-minute cram.
Khadija Abass, a third-year pharmacy student, believes that appropriately selecting time for schoolwork and completing the task in a prompt manner are keys to a successful student life at Howard.
"[Their] undergraduate experience was less stressful than [their] current graduate experience because of the increased workload," she said.
Nse Epenyong, a first-year dental student, believes that graduate school requires you to know nearly 10 times the information than at the undergraduate level. This practically forces many students into developing better time management skills, even if they didn't have them when they were in the undergraduate program. He gave three important tips for time management.
"Study the material for each lecture the day the lecture is given, get plenty of rest, and make sure to maintain a social life in order to strike a good balance," Nse said.
During orientation at the beginning of each school year, professors and advisors stress the importance of time management. Dr. Kenneth Scott, professor and director of Graduate Studies, also had several tips for effective time management.
"Transcribe your notes as soon as you get home and double-check them against the reference text," he said. "Don't cram, and get into a 'study buddy' group and make sure that each member of the group contributes to the study sessions."
