Student Strategies for Time Management and Leveraging On-Campus Resources to Stay Career-Focused

Balancing academic responsibilities with career preparation can be challenging for college students. The transition from high school to college brings increased independence, requiring students to manage coursework, extracurricular activities, and future career goals. However, with effective time management and utilization of on-campus resources, students can stay career-focused while maintaining a healthy academic balance.

Time Management and Organizational Skills

For many students, college is the first time they must fully manage their schedules. Organizing coursework, job searches, and networking opportunities can seem overwhelming without a structured approach. One of the most effective strategies is creating a weekly schedule using a preferred tool—whether a physical planner, a dry-erase board, a mobile app, or a digital calendar.

At Ohio State, all students have access to Outlook Calendar, a tool that helps with scheduling by setting recurring events for class times, study blocks, and networking sessions. For example, a weekly study reminder can be set for Monday at 2 p.m., ensuring dedicated academic time. Having a visual layout of commitments allows students to allocate time for both academics and career development effectively.

Leveraging Ohio State’s Career Resources

Ohio State offers several on-campus resources that students should take full advantage of when focusing on career prep. A simple online search can point you to valuable tools. For example, searching "Ohio State Career Prep" on Google will direct you to the ASC Career Success website, a fantastic starting point for students at any stage of career planning. The website features resources like the Career Studio, where students can drop in for resume help, job search advice, and cover letter assistance. Additionally, the site offers resume templates, access to appointments with professional career coaches, and information on career fairs, career immersions and treks, and more. This site is a great place to start if you are a student unsure of where to begin your career preparation.