Last updated on September 11, 2020
This material was written by a Dallas College licensed counselor. All views expressed in this piece are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dallas College
Living in the day and age of COVID-19 is stressful — no matter where you live. Maybe you live alone, with family or with a roommate. You might be working during this pandemic while trying to juggle online classes. You could also be in a relationship and focusing on that, too! Being a college student is always stressful, but right now it’s even more stressful than usual, especially as we start the Fall 2020 semester.
Did you know that managing your time is a classic, time-proven method of helping you deal with stress? It makes sense, since stress can be a feeling of having too much to do or of not having enough time, resources or energy to get things you want done. Having a plan for how to manage your time helps you become more efficient and effective. When you’re in that zone, you get the most done in a productive and successful manner — which gives you more sense of control.
The Basics for Time Management
- Tasks: Make a list of the major tasks you need to get done. Include important deadlines.
- Priorities: What order do you want to do those tasks in? For each task, make sure to ask, what steps do I need to do? By when does each step need to be done? What resources do I need for each step?
- Make a working plan: Break down the steps you need to complete each month, week and day to finish each task by its deadline.
- Focus: Zero in on what to do that week/day (except for things to prepare or gather for the next week).
Dallas College Has Resources That Are a Huge Help
- Our Student Life team will have workshops and virtual events where you can learn tools for organization and planning.
- The Learning Center and our Dallas College tutors can help you with time management for specific classes and subjects.
- TRIO is here to help you overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education. Consider them a buddy system that will monitor your progress with you.
- If Veterans Services or Disability Support Services are appropriate for you, they can provide valuable time management support.
- If some of your tasks relate to daily living needs, the Dallas College Connections program will help you develop resources and plans.
- Finally, our Counseling Services can help you develop time management tools and help you with any emotional barriers that might make it more difficult to use those successfully, no matter where your tools are from. Keep scrolling to learn how we can help you! We’re hosting a free virtual event on Sept. 2 to help you tackle stress in this new normal. Visit our event page to register.
Recommended Apps
- Evernote.com/basic
- istudentpro.com/store
- Myhomeworkapp.com
- Trello.com
- Therapy Assistance Online (TAO)
- Use your browser to visit us: US.TAOconnect.org/register
- Enter First Name, Last Name and your college email address.
- Create a password.
- Leave the Enrollment Key field blank.
- Click Sign Me Up and await your confirmation email.
Each of these apps has a free version, so be sure to carefully select that option if money is tight. Managing your time well can be a tremendous help in reducing your stress. So, make some time to manage your time!
Written by Dr. Jesse Gonzalez, personal counselor at Dallas College
Dallas College Online Counseling for Students
Our professional counselors are still working hard for you! Did you know you can meet with a counselor for a virtual one-on-one session — for free?
Currently enrolled students can set up a virtual meeting through a safe and secure Webex link. To get started, all you need to do is contact your campus Counseling Center at the email address listed below. From there, a member of your campus Counseling Center team will walk you through the necessary pre-appointment procedure.
Brookhaven Counseling Center: bhccounseling@dcccd.edu
Cedar Valley Counseling Center: cvccounseling@dcccd.edu
Eastfield Counseling Center: jasminegarcia@dcccd.edu
El Centro Counseling Center: ECCStudentCounseling@dcccd.edu
Mountain View Counseling Center: jgonzalez@dcccd.edu
North Lake Counseling Center: nlccounseling@dcccd.edu
Richland Counseling Center: Counseling-RLC@dcccd.edu
Dallas College believes it’s okay to say you’re not okay. As we begin a new semester, we’re raising our voices to recognize that Sept. 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. In hopes of bringing more awareness to a difficult topic, we’re hosting an AS+K Suicide Gatekeeper Training via Webex on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 2-3 p.m. Please review our event information and register for this free event by visiting the Counseling Workshops and Events page.
Please note: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency room rather than requesting an online counseling session.
Community Mental Health Resources Available in Our Area
- North Texas Behavioral Health Authority can help pay for community psychiatric, mental health and substance abuse services — please call 214-366-9407.
- Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas — please call 214-828-1000.
- National Veterans Crisis Line — please call 800-273-8255 and press 1.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline —please call 800-799-7233.
- National Sexual Assault Hotline — please call 800-656-4673.
- Message 741741 from anywhere in the United States to text with a trained crisis counselor. Heads up — standard messaging rates may apply.
It’s okay to say. If you see something that could be helpful to someone else, spread the word and share this information. Even if you’re not dealing with a specific mental health issue, chances are someone you know is.