There are a few things that almost feel like rites of passage for university students. Some of those things include late night parties, cram sessions with an early morning test on the horizon, and needing the help of last-minute essay writing services.

But what if some of these things happened because of poor time management? All it takes is a little bit of effective planning and students can find the time that they need to get studying in, assignments done, and still have a social life. Here are time-management tips for university students.

1. Make Use of Your Phone

For most university students, smart phones are just a way to communicate with others through myriad social media apps. But it’s possible to use the smart phone for good, too. There are a ton of apps out there that offer scheduling and organization services.

These apps can help university students lay their day out and ensure that nothing gets missed. Not only that, but there are even apps that provide a digital to-do list so students can literally check things off as they finish them.

2. Create a Routine

One of the biggest cliches there is about being a university student is the chaotic schedule. Last minute cramming, needing to call on essay writing services to meet impossible deadlines, and all the other tropes of university life.

But a little routine goes a long way. Part of what makes life at university chaotic is that half the time, there’s no clue as to what needs to be done and when. But by creating a routine – get up, eat breakfast, look at the schedule, and so on – students can create a sense of normalcy and ensure that their daily activities are accounted for.

3. Organization Is Key

Another major aspect to that chaotic lifestyle for university students is a lack of preparation and organization. Perhaps you need to stay up all night finishing homework because you lost it the first time around. Or maybe you’re running late for class because you can’t find your notes.

Keep things organized. In tandem with keeping a schedule or routine, having basic organization can go a long way toward reducing the chaos in your schedule. When it comes to notes especially, avoiding clutter can be a great way to ensure that you have the study materials that you need.

4. Stay Healthy

Here’s one tip that may not sound like it should impact your time-management ability but it does in subtle ways: eating poorly. One of the tropes of university life is eating nothing but pizza and junk food, often at odd or late hours.

But being healthy – or trying to have a balance – can actually benefit your ability to manage a schedule. For one, energy levels will be higher and there will be much less of a chance of “crashing.” No unscheduled naps and no sleeping in super late to completely derail your day.

5. Balance Is Key

No matter how organized or driven you are, we are all human beings. There is such a thing as a schedule that is simply too busy. Students feel pressured to take a full course load or take on a litany of things that eventually lead to an overwhelming schedule.

But finding balance between school and a personal life is key. When there is balance, it can give us the drive and motivation that we need to get through the tough stretches. Overcrowded schedules lead to chaos in the courses we take, which ultimately leads to more stress than it’s worth. Find that balance.