With the start of a new semester, it can become very easy to lose track of time. When we are unable to manage our time correctly, this can lead to unnecessary stress as well as academic decline and a time of spiritual dryness. How then in this hectic time of the semester can we get engulfed in school and hyperfocus on academic achievements, remain steadfast in our spirituality, focus on our jobs and careers, as well as have time for family and relaxation? How are we able to make time for everything when it seems like we don't have a free second within our day?

The first step of reclaiming your time is taking accountability for how your time is used and how much time we truly waste per day?

How much time do we waste on our phones?
How much time do we devote to things that are not necessary? How much time do we waste in between tasks per day?

While all these things in their essence seem meaningless. 5 minutes wasted there, 5 minutes wasted here, everything at the end of the day adds up. What started as a 5-minute break, at the end of the day ends up being 2-3 hours wasted, then the day ends and we say that we did not have enough time for prayer, reading the Bible, talking to God, or even important tasks such as studying or service in the church.

The second step to fixing this after acknowledging the issue is to eliminate sources of wasted time in your life. There are many ways to do this:

1. Set a schedule: Schedules can be set on a weekly or daily basis. By knowing your tasks for every day, you can stay focused which does not leave room for wasted time
   

2. Eliminate time wasters: set time limits on devices if you see yourself spending too much time on them
   

3. Organize your environment: If you know that in a certain environment, you tend to waste time, then do not put yourself in those environments. If you want to study and you are unable to focus at home - go to school.
   

4. Learn to say no: College is a very fun time to interact and meet new people as well as enjoy your time and figure out your interest. That being said, college is also critical since for many it is a gateway to graduate schools and careers which makes staying on top of your work critical. By assigning priorities in your life, you can know when you are able to go out and have fun and when you need to study and get your work done. You do not need to be at every single hangout if it will intervene with your grades and priorities. Be able to distinguish between when you are able to relax and enjoy your time and when it is time to work towards your goals.
   

5. Prioritize: Every day there are a ton of things you have to do and there are lots of things you can do. Be able to prioritize your life in ways of attending to things that have the most importance to you.

The third step and the most important one to remember is to always keep God at the forefront of your life and in everything you do.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:33-34).

God is telling us....

●  Have faith in me: put God first and then victory will happen; God’s way

●  Seek God first and foremost. Make time for Him and trust in Him.

●  “The kingdom of God is the enjoyment of all that is good. This comes through

righteousness. To him who seeks after spiritual things God in His generosity adds that which is needed for physical life”

“What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

●  We can plan every single day, but we never know what tomorrow holds. Let us not be lazy and waste our time but use it wisely to do the Lord's will.

●  Laziness weakens a man's spiritual immunity and leaves him in a state of spiritual dryness. We can use our time to be nourished by the Word of God and become strengthened.

●  “Grace gives us many remedies that strengthen us through prayers and church sacraments. These remedies such as praise, psalms, hymns, and sermons with fervent prayers encourage even those who are complacent and lead them to be fervently involved in worship”

As this new semester starts, make sure to put an active effort towards preserving your time and making use of it. Be wise in your decisions and give ample time to God so that he may bless your life and work.