Time Blocking v. To-Do Lists

For a busy college student, a planner may just be the saving grace to a schedule full of exams, projects, extracurriculars, date parties and much more. The only debate is how to use it. From a simple to-do list every day, to a full-blown time-blocked schedule down to the minute, it’s all about preference. However, if the busy college students are confused about what may work best, VALLEY wants to lay out the pros and cons of each type of scheduling. 

Finding the Perfect Planner

There are many brands of planners and ways to plan out a jam-packed schedule. There’s always a simple Post-it note to brain dump everything that needs to get done, but that may get lost easily. For those who prefer digital planners, try using the notes app for a simple approach. Google Calendar or Google Keep are also efficient ways to keep everything well-thought-out and planned. For the die-hard paper planner lovers, many are offered at stores like Target. A new and trending brand for planners is The Dailee. These planners are designed for anyone. College students, moms, content creators, there’s something out there for everyone. No matter the choice, there are efficient ways to plan a long week ahead. 

To-Do Lists

A simple to-do list never hurt anyone. Need to brain dump everything you’ve thought about doing for the last month? Write a to-do list. Endless homework assignments for the week? Write a to-do list. There are so many instances where a to-do list may be needed. With that being said, they are extremely effective, especially for those who get immediate satisfaction after checking off that little box. However, during a busy week, looking at a daunting list of tasks may just send someone into a spiral. In that case, time blocking makes for a great alternative. 

Time Blocking

This method of planning has become trendy recently. For those who need to have their days planned out until their head hits the pillow, time blocking may be the best option. For a college student, a large grid of the hours of the day can be helpful to plan out class times, extracurriculars, and time to eat (because college students often forget to do that with such busy schedules). The biggest pro with time blocking is that every hour of the day is planned, without the frenzy of wondering when to get everything done. However, the second something gets messed up in an hour of the time block, the day can turn into a complete frenzy.  

While there may be no number one when it comes to time blocking or to-do lists, college students should choose what works best for them. They both offer valuable tools for managing the demands of college life, but their effectiveness depends on each student’s needs and learning style. 

Let us know what style of planning you like best on Instagram @VALLEYmag!

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