Bruin Family Insights | Time Management & Balancing Competing Priorities

At UCLA, we believe an informed and supportive family plays an integral role in a student’s educational success. To that end, Bruin Family Insights is here to equip families with knowledge to help you get to know UCLA better, and encourage your student to thrive during their time at UCLA and beyond.

For our second topic in the new Bruin Family Insights format, we will be exploring time management and balancing competing priorities! Hear from topic experts, Armine Kulikyan (Assistant Director, Undergraduate Career Education & Development for the UCLA Career Center) and Sami Toussi '11 (Founder & Career Strategist, Toussi International and UCLA Alumni Association Career Coach) below. Learn more about Armine here. And meet Sami Toussi '11: UCLA alum and founder of Toussi International, Sami is a globally recognized career strategist and featured UCLA Alumni Association Career Coach. With over a decade of experience, she’s helped thousands of students and entrepreneurs gain clarity, confidence, and purpose in their careers. Her coaching blends practical tools with organizational psychology —and she’s passionate about helping Bruins thrive.

And don't forget to join us for the live conversation taking place on Tuesday, May 6 at 11 a.m. PT via Zoom!

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What are some of the most common time management challenges college students face?

Armine Kulikyan (AK): College students face many demands and competing priorities, especially regarding academic rigor, extracurricular involvement, personal responsibilities, social experiences, and other tasks that take up time and energy. One of the most common challenges I see, especially among Bruins, is over-commitment. Many students overextend themselves in hopes of enhancing their portfolios and standing out in the job market upon graduation.

Procrastination and distractions are also common time-management challenges for students. While UCLA offers an abundance of organizations, activities, and opportunities—which is a great benefit—it can be challenging to stay focused in such a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Many students feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. Additionally, the constant presence of social media and digital devices makes it even more difficult to stay on task and effectively prioritize responsibilities.

Lastly, ineffective planning is another common challenge. Staying organized and having a system to track priorities is a skill that takes time to develop. Many students struggle to keep up with the smaller, day-to-day tasks associated with the various commitments they take on.

Sami Toussi (ST): Echoing the sentiments above, the following are several challenges I've seen college students experience:

• Procrastination: Putting off tasks until the last minute, leading to stress and lower quality work.
• Over-commitment: Juggling classes, jobs, clubs and social life can overwhelm students.
• Poor planning: Not using calendars or schedules effectively to allocate time.
• Distractions: Social media, phones and social activities can eat up valuable time.
• Lack of prioritization: Difficulty distinguishing between urgent vs. important tasks.

Sami's Strategy: How to Master Time as a Student Leader

• Your energy is your best asset—schedule around when you’re most clear and focused.
• Avoid the trap of multitasking. Time-block 45-minute sprints with 5-minute breaks.
• Weekly “CEO check-ins”: Reflect on what’s working and reset priorities every Sunday night.
• Focus on what builds momentum, not just what feels urgent.

What strategies can students use to effectively manage competing priorities and responsibilities throughout their time at UCLA and beyond?

AK: Time management is really about managing energy and priorities. One way students can balance competing priorities is by adopting a mindset shift. While having a variety of experiences can help build a competitive portfolio, it’s important for students to focus on quality over quantity. I often encourage students to identify opportunities that are most meaningful for their growth and skill development, rather than taking on too many commitments. This can be difficult in today’s comparison-driven culture, where students may feel like they’re falling behind. However, every student’s journey is different, and it’s more beneficial in the long run to pursue fewer experiences with greater intention than to risk burnout from overcommitting.

In addition to adjusting their mindset, students can benefit from learning and practicing time management strategies. Using a calendar or planner—and consistently writing down tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities—helps them stay organized and reduces the mental load of trying to remember everything. The format doesn’t matter as much as the habit: some may prefer a digital tool like Notion or Google Calendar, while others might opt for a physical planner.

Time-blocking is another effective approach, where students carve out specific times in their day for focused work, based on when they are most alert and productive. For example, a student who is a “night owl” may reserve evening hours for writing or studying.

There are also helpful productivity tools that many students find useful, such as the Eisenhower Matrix for task prioritization and the Pomodoro Technique, which promotes focus through 25-minute work intervals followed by short breaks. To reduce distractions, apps like Freedom or Forest can be used to limit access to social media during study sessions.

ST: In addition to the strategies noted above, I would also suggest that students do the following:

• Break tasks into smaller steps and set mini-deadlines to stay on track. Breaking large tasks or projects into smaller steps can help to make things feel more manageable.
• Avoid multitasking, which can reduce productively. Instead, focus on one thing at a time.
• Review and reflect weekly to adjust plans and strategies based on what's working for them.

What about student leaders or entrepreneurs—how should they manage their time?

ST: For students who are leading organizations or building side hustles, time management becomes more about energy management. You’re not just managing deadlines—you’re managing a vision.

I recommend reserving 30–60 minutes of “CEO Time” each week—use it to reflect on what’s working, reset your top three goals, and realign with your long-term vision. Use tools like Notion or Trello to track priorities and build momentum without burning out.

Remember: sustainable action beats scattered effort. Consistency is more powerful than perfection.

How can students maintain a healthy work-life balance while navigating everything they have going on in their lives?

AK: College is a time of big transitions. Students are learning, growing, and stepping out of their comfort zones—academically, socially, and personally. With so much happening all at once, it’s natural for college to feel overwhelming at times. That’s why maintaining a healthy balance is so important. When students take care of their well-being, they’re much more likely to succeed and truly enjoy their college experience.

One of the best ways to maintain that balance is through regular self-care. This doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be as simple as getting enough sleep, moving their body, spending time outside, eating well, and taking breaks when needed. It also means knowing when to slow down or say “no” to extra commitments. Having a full schedule doesn’t always mean a fulfilling one. Sometimes, doing less allows students to go deeper and get more out of the experiences they do choose to engage in.

Rest, fun, and social time are just as important as classes and internships. These aren’t distractions—they’re part of the full college journey. Students who make space for joy and connection tend to do better in the long run, not just in school, but in life. College is about more than grades; it’s about becoming a well-rounded, resilient individual.

Another helpful strategy is learning to work with their natural energy. If your student is a morning person, they might do their best studying early in the day. If they’re more focused at night, they can structure their schedule accordingly. Tuning into what works best for them—and building a routine around it—can make a big difference in how they manage their time and energy.

Staying connected is also key. Encourage your student to talk to their peers, professors, mentors, or campus counselors when things feel stressful. Knowing they have a support system can help them feel less alone and more capable of handling challenges.

ST: Similarly, I would suggest the following strategies to maintain a healthy work-life balance:

• Set boundaries for study time and personal time to avoid burnout.
• Schedule in breaks and downtime just like you would for classes or meetings.
• Prioritize sleep, nourish your body with healthy food, and stay active—just 30 minutes of daily physical activity can reduce risk of depression by up to 30%.
• Connect with others for support and fun.
• Practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques to manage stress.

What resources exist at UCLA and beyond that can help support effective time management?

AK: UCLA offers a wide range of resources to help students develop strong time management skills. The UCLA Career Center supports students in managing their time around career-related responsibilities such as internships, job applications, and professional development. Career counselors can help students create realistic weekly schedules that include time for resume writing, interview preparation, and networking. These one-on-one conversations also often touch on how to balance priorities, manage stress, and set achievable goals.

Academic planning support is also available through College Academic Counseling (CAC), where students can receive guidance on course load, unit planning, and how to manage their time across quarters. For mental health and stress management—which are closely connected to time management— the RISE Center and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provide counseling sessions and workshops focused on coping strategies and building healthy routines.

Students looking for peer support can turn to resources like the Academic Advancement Program (AAP), the Undergraduate Writing Center, and the Bruin Resource Center, which offer tutoring, workshops, and tools to help students stay on track and accountable.

Another incredibly valuable time management and academic success strategy is attending professors’ office hours. These are dedicated times when students can ask questions, seek clarification, and get personalized support outside of class time. Building relationships with professors not only helps students stay on top of coursework but also opens the door to mentorship, recommendation letters, and deeper engagement in their academic journey.

Outside of campus, there are helpful digital tools students can use to stay organized. Apps like Trello, Notion, and Pomofocus (a Pomodoro timer) are great for breaking down tasks, managing deadlines, and improving focus. There are also many time management and productivity podcasts, which can offer practical tools and strategies for students to implement.

How can parents and family members of undergraduates support their student in managing their time while encouraging them to have a healthy work-life balance?

AK: As a parent or family member, one of the most meaningful ways you can support your student is by reminding them that their well-being matters just as much as their achievements. Encouraging them to take breaks, seek help when needed, and listen to their own needs reinforces that success isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing what’s purposeful and sustainable. Developing a sense of balance takes time, but it’s one of the most valuable life skills they’ll carry with them beyond college.

You can also support your student by encouraging them to try out different time management strategies until they discover what fits their style and needs. This process often involves trial and error, and that’s okay—it’s all part of learning how to manage responsibilities more effectively.

Encouraging your student to tap into campus and community resources can also make a big difference. Whether it’s working with a counselor, attending a time management workshop, or simply finding a quiet study space, these small steps can have a big impact on how they navigate college life.

Above all, students need to feel seen and supported. As a career counselor, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when families create space for open and honest conversations. Recognizing signs of stress or burnout and checking in with compassion can make all the difference. Remind your student that it’s okay to pause, regroup, and take care of themselves—those moments are not setbacks, but essential parts of their growth. 

ST: Parents and family members of college students can support their students in the following ways:

• Encourage independence by letting students take responsibility for their own schedules. According to the American College Health Association, 48% of students report that time management is a major challenge. With that in mind, building independence early helps students develop critical self-regulation skills.
• Be a sounding board: Listen and ask reflective questions rather than solving problems. Research shows that students with supportive, non-controlling parents report lower stress and better academic outcomes (Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2019).
• Support balance by checking in on well-being, not just academics. In a national survey, 73% of college students reported feeling overwhelmed, and 41% experienced depression that impacted their ability to navigate their day to day (ACHA-NCHA, 2023). Checking in regularly with your student and their emotional well-being can make a real difference.
• Celebrate small wins to keep morale high and show appreciation for effort. Positive reinforcement boosts motivation and performance. Students who feel appreciated are 2x more likely to stay engaged with their goals (Gallup, 2022).
• Share tips but avoid micromanaging. Respect their growth and learning process. Students with autonomy-supportive families show greater resilience and life satisfaction (Journal of Educational Psychology, 2020).

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Don't forget to join us on Tuesday, May 6 at 11 a.m. PT via Zoom for a live conversation with Armine and Sami to answer any questions you may have and further discuss time management and balancing competing priorities.

Want more from Sami? Visit www.samitoussi.com or follow her on Instagram @samitoussi for tools on productivity, mindset and purpose-driven career growth.