Tick Tock! A Need for Effective Time Management Skill

Oluwaferanmi Mary

The vibrant energy of Nigerian universities is undeniable. From moving between lectures to engaging in campus activities, the experience is a home of countless opportunities for growth and discovery. But one thing stands as an obstacle beneath the glaring academic pressures and social engagements: Time management. In this current age, time slips away easily. It does not fan the busy nor the lazy ones, it walks away hurriedly. Yet it was precisely in such an environment that managing time became not just useful, but essential.

Though every student had the same 24 hours, how those hours tick often defines their academic sojourn. While lectures are programmed to be productive, the time outside lectures can be either productive or wasted. Needless to say, social events and peer influence are the familiar distractions. What is even more scary is the infrastructure hiccups; electricity breakages and poor internet service are distractions that derailed the well outlined plans. Then, what should have been a gradual workload turned into an avalanche of rushed assignments and panicking.

Kemi, a 300-level student admitted, concerned, “ Severally, I scheduled my tasks but some distractions like power cuts hindered me from completing it.” In Kemi’s case, the unexpected distractions have taught her effective time management. “If you do not plan your week properly, deadlines sneak up on you, and carryovers become inevitable.” Michael, an engineering student exclaimed with frustration, “You plan your whole day around one class, and then it gets cancelled. If you don’t learn to adjust quickly, frustration sets in.” This is the reality of Nigerian students: you might dress up for a lecture only to meet with your lecturer’s absence. These distractions are unavoidable; you can’t tell when your lecturer will leave you waiting while 1-2 hours are lost doing nothing. Their experiences are the reality that successful time management required both structure and the ability to adapt when things changed without warning.

At its core, effective time management shaped more than academic success. It supported emotional stability and opened the door to broader personal development. When students took control of their schedules, they made room not only for serious study but also for adequate rest, reflection, and even recreation. Bisi, a 200- level students, who once struggled with last-minute reading, reflected with relief, “It is not magic. It is about discipline and sticking to a schedule. I had to challenge myself to do more and it worked. I can see the results in my academics.”

But the benefit extended beyond better grades. With reduced stress and anxiety, students were able to function more clearly and confidently when tasks are not piled up. It makes whatever pressure bearable. Building steady routines and creating time for mental breaks, exploring other activities won’t be unthinkable. Ife, who juggled dance practice, choir rehearsals, and academic work, explained with a smile, “Planning helps me enjoy what I love doing without falling behind academically.” Her words were a reminder that the aim wasn’t simply to do more, but to do what mattered, with peace of mind.

Time management was also a preview of life after university. It prepared students for a world where professionalism depended on meeting deadlines, setting priorities, and staying organised. As Sodiq, a final-year student, remarked, “Time is something you can never get back. I treat it like money. Spend it wisely and invest it carefully.”

That journey started with clarity. Knowing the academic calendar, identifying key deadlines, and anticipating interruptions like power outages or last-minute cancellations could make planning more realistic. A weekly routine, reviewed every Sunday, helped turn scattered tasks into structured priorities. Even so, planning alone was not enough. Time had to be protected. Distractions needed to be managed. Big projects should have been broken into manageable steps, and students needed to learn when they worked best and how to create the right environment to stay focused.

Equally important was self-care. No schedule worked if the person following it was burnt out. Sleep, nutrition, and physical activity were not extras, they were essentials that fueled productivity. Studying all night might have seemed productive in the moment, but it usually led to poor retention and mental fatigue. Resting, pausing for short breaks, and maintaining wellness were as important as any study session.

The campus environment and social opportunities are pals, one does not go without the other. Students should learn to grab opportunity while they are in school. These should not be ignored. Likewise, students had to learn the value of choosing wisely. Not every event added value, and not every invitation needed to be accepted. Building habits that supported academic goals—like joining study groups or attending skill workshops—could create a sense of balance without sacrificing the social side of university life.

Reflecting weekly on how time was spent helped refine this process. Asking what worked, what did not, and what could be done differently offered valuable insights for growth. Time management was not about copying someone else’s routine. It was personal. What worked for one student might not have worked for another. The key lay in adjusting, learning, and staying honest about what needed to change.

Time, like health, was easy to take for granted until it was gone. But for students navigating the demands of Nigerian universities, learning to manage time could make the difference between just getting by and truly making the most of those formative years.