The average college student has 4 to 6 classes a day. Unlike your high school days, those classes aren't scheduled back to back. They might be on different sides of the campus or just a building over. Some might be in the morning and others at night.  

In a perfect world, you could easily stroll from one class to the next and then back to your dorm when the final bell rang for the day.

In reality, that's not how college works. There's often a lot of downtime spent waiting for class to start. Not enough time to grab lunch or run errands, and not enough time to go home and make it back on time, so instead, you sit outside class, waiting for your class to begin. Sometimes, you might spend that time studying, but more often than not, you're scrolling through social media or chatting with friends. It's only twenty minutes until class starts, right? 

Well, twenty minutes add up! Twenty minutes, three times daily, five days weekly, adds up to 300 minutes weekly. That's five hours of sitting around and not doing anything other than waiting, scrolling, and chatting.

What if you used that time productively and got sh*t done! Think of what you could accomplish if you had an extra 300 minutes every week. I am here to tell you that you do have that time. You will if you proactively carve out that time to accomplish something you've wanted to get done. So what can you do during that time? Well, study, yes, but there are times to study later in the library or your dorm. I'm talking about stuff that keeps you up at night or that you've wanted to do but haven't. Here is my list of 9 ways to kill time between classes while being super productive:   

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1. Make Lists

Twenty minutes is the perfect amount of time to make a list. Keep a notepad in your bag, or use an app on your phone. Grocery lists, weekend plans, people to call, holiday shopping, or your to-do list for the week. I am ALL about making lists! When it's on paper (or on my phone), it's out of my brain, and I can breathe. There is something about making a list that unclutters your mind and rids your body of some stress. Get it all out, so you know what you need to do and won't forget something later. Making a list helps you prepare and be more productive when you're ready to fulfill said list. 20 minutes might not be enough time to accomplish things on your list, but it's just the right amount of time to make a plan

2. Listen to a Podcast

If I had a dollar for every time people recommended an excellent podcast, I'd have enough to help pay down my college tuition. Unfortunately, I am way too busy for podcasts! Aren't I?

Twenty minutes is the perfect amount of time to listen to part of a podcast. And if I hit play every time I was sitting around waiting for class to start, I could probably listen to an entire podcast by the end of the week. True crime, self-help, inspirational, a good Ted Talk, or whatever your interests are– download a podcast ahead of time, grab some headphones and sit back until your professor arrives.  

3. Read a Book

Nothing kills time quite like reading a book. Consider this your chance to forget the academic texts and dive into something you enjoy for no reason! Romance fanatic? Mystery thrill seeker? History buff? Grab a good old-fashioned paperback or download an eBook to your phone. There are tons of ways to score free or discounted eBooks. You just need to look. Usually, a student ID can get you loads of free eBooks if you ask! Check your campus library first. Subscribe to any of these free eBook websites to get free eBooks daily.

4. Clean Your Purse/Wallet/Device

One thing that never fails to add to my anxiety is a cluttered bag, wallet, or phone. Crumbled up receipts, gym socks, gum wrappers, loose change, disorganized credit cards… I'm getting anxious just thinking about it. Organizing your personal items between classes can be super productive. A little organization can help clear your space and your mind at the same time. I like to keep a neat and tidy book bag or wallet, but that doesn't always happen when I'm rushing to class or the dining hall or to grab lunch. A short break between classes is the perfect time to get organized,  

Go a step further and organize your electronics! Save photos to an app, clean up contacts, and make room on your device by deleting unnecessary apps, photos, videos, texts, etc. Then set your devices to silent because the class is about to begin!

5. Call Grandma

There's not much to be said here. Call your Grandma (or your Grandpa, your mom or dad, an aunt--any family member who may appreciate hearing from you). Having a set time each week to call your loved ones will help you remember to do just that. It's way too easy when you're in college to go weeks or even months without calling your grandma. Also, she's more likely to answer if she is expecting your call, and she will no doubt appreciate that you are calling her rather than vice versa. Twenty minutes is perfect for catching up, telling her about college, and saying your goodbyes. It also puts a time limit on your call since you'll need to hang up before class starts.

6. Catch up on the News

Whether the local, national, or world news is your preference, be in the know by scanning the daily headlines. If you're constantly feeling left out when it comes to political chat with your pals, catch up on the latest, and you can join the conversation at dinner. Download a news app and set your preferences. Do you enjoy lifestyle news, sports, or entertainment? Whatever you choose, do yourself a favor and choose a reputable and not too right or left-leaning source. Try BBC News, Google News, Apple News, or AP News. These are the least biased news sources you are likely to find.  

Does the news make you sad or upset? Try The Good News Network App for your fill of daily positive news. 

7. Play a Brain Game

Playing mindless games on your phone can waste time (and cell battery). It's easy to download nonsense, get carried away for much longer than you intended, and even miss your class. But find the right game, according to one study. You may actually "help improve attention levels, memory, response time, logic skills, and other measures of cognitive function if played over a long time span."

It sounds like a great reason to start downloading and use that 20 minutes productively! One of our favorite brain games is the classic number puzzle, Soduko (start on easy if you're new to Sudoku and work your way up!). 

A newer favorite is Wordle which has exploded in popularity in recent years. Users guess a 6-letter word each day using clues. It's a quick but challenging daily exercise for your brain.  Lumosity also made our list of great games to download on your phone because of the ability to improve memory, mental speed, flexibility, and problem-solving.

8. Start a Blog

Use your downtime to get your thoughts out to the world! Blogging is a great way to voice your opinion, share your knowledge, or even just share an experience. Are you passionate about something? Perhaps you're a vegan and want to share your views about animal consumption as you trudge through daily college life. Or maybe you're becoming an expert on dorm hacks and want to share your expertise with the world. Perhaps you have superb storytelling ability and a sense of humor and want to document college life for no reason other than for others to relate. 

Whatever your reason may be, do it! It can be fun and may lead to nothing but a boredom killer. If you're good, you can incorporate affiliate links and advertising and turn it into a side hustle! 

‍9. Plan Your Next Trip or Move Home

OK, maybe it's only September, but you probably have a trip planned to go home sometime soon. Thanksgiving break? Family event? Christmas break? Waiting until the last minute is never a good idea. Flights get booked or increase in price. You forgot to take the days off of work. There are many variables to consider, so it's good to prepare. Use your downtime to make a plan. Book your flight. Email your boss or make a reminder to get time off work (a last-minute request is never a good idea!). Figure out where you will stay and ensure they know the plan too. Then mark it on your calendar, including confirmation and phone numbers.

If college move-out is happening soon or a semester of studying abroad is sneaking up on you, don't wait to make your plans for moving and storage. A few months in advance is not too early to rent a U-Haul or put a deposit down on a storage unit. Those kinds of services fill up fast in college towns. You will also need to order your boxes, bubble wrap, and tape ahead of time.

Better yet, scrap all of that. Save yourself time and money using a reputable company to do this instead. Call around (ask your college first for recommendations that other students have used) and check websites to get quotes and ask questions. A company like Storage Scholars makes it incredibly easy to set up an account online in minutes. You can surely find something else on this list to do with your time instead.  

Final Thoughts

The time between classes can be an excellent excuse to turn off your brain and zone out for 20 minutes. But it doesn't have to be. It can be a piece of your day set aside to be productive. Combined, it can make up 5 hours of your week. Whether you use it to sharpen your mind, accomplish a task, or learn something new, take advantage of your precious downtime and be productive!

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