By ECE OZDEMIR
For university students, time management has become a problem that almost everyone admits to struggling with, but no one seems to know exactly how to solve. Caught between classes, assignments, exams, social life, sports and future, students often summarize this situation with the phrase, “I don’t have enough time.”
However, the issue isn’t always a lack of time; often, the problem is trying to use time efficiently when you’re already mentally exhausted. Time management is often associated with discipline, planners and hour-by-hour schedules.
University life doesn’t always proceed so smoothly. Unexpected assignments, extended classes, mental fatigue, or simply a bad day can disrupt even the most perfect plan. At this point, time management ceases to be merely a matter of productivity and becomes directly linked to mental health.
Because for someone who is mentally exhausted, anxious or overwhelmed, “managing time well” is almost impossible. Many students start blaming themselves when they feel they can’t manage their time effectively.
Procrastination is often seen as laziness but it is usually a result of mental overload. The sheer volume of tasks, high expectations, and the feeling of “I have to do everything” push the student into inaction.
The inability to start is often not due to unwillingness, but rather not knowing where to begin.
This increases anxiety, creating a vicious cycle. Another problem frequently experienced by university students is the fragmentation of time. There are short gaps throughout the day but these gaps are not “consolidated” enough for rest or focused work.
This constantly divided attention reduces academic performance and increases mental fatigue.
There seems to be time available but there is no mental energy. At this point, the problem is not about the number of hours but about the mental burden carried by the mind.
To align time management with mental health, a shift in perspective is necessary. The goal isn’t to accomplish everything perfectly, but to realistically plan what can be done. Taking small, sustainable steps instead of aiming for grand goals increases productivity and reduces anxiety.
Even twenty minutes of focused work is more valuable than doing nothing. Progress is more important than perfection.
Furthermore, accepting that rest is not a waste of time is a crucial part of this process. The constant pressure to be productive causes students to feel guilty even when they are resting.
However, rest is a part of time management; it’s impossible to use time efficiently without protecting mental health. Giving yourself space leads to a more balanced and healthy university life in the long run.
In conclusion, the time management problems experienced by university students often stem not from a lack of skill but from mental overload. The way to better manage time is to be more understanding towards ourselves.
We don’t have to start every day perfectly; what matters is being able to continue. Time management is less about controlling the clock and more about learning to move forward while prioritizing mental health.