Between classes, work, extracurriculars, and everything else that comes with college life at Butler University, I’ve come to find that managing my time well is an essential component of keeping up with my commitments. Over the last semester of my Marketing & Communications internship here at RGI, I’ve been lucky enough to gain some professional experience and realized quickly that good time management is a skill that extends far beyond the classroom.
Working in an association management environment has given me a much greater appreciation for just how much planning and coordination goes into keeping an organization running smoothly. From helping prepare for events and managing day-to-day tasks for a number of different organizations, there are a lot of moving parts that require attention. Although I’m still developing my timekeeping acumen, I’ve found some helpful tips for keeping myself and my work on track.
Staying Organized
There are only so many hours in a day, and one of the biggest hurdles to effective time management is deciding where to start. Whether it be assignments, projects, or on-site shoot days, it can be hard to figure out what to tackle first.
Keeping track of all of my responsibilities in one shared space has been essential in managing my schedule. I personally use Google Calendar to keep track of pretty much everything I’m involved in, whether it be work, classes, or other personal appointments. Getting a visual, color-coded outline of my day helps keep me honest and helps me maximize my time in whatever I’m involved in.
As for work-related tasks, Asana is a wonderful resource. As an intern, anytime I’m tasked with a project, it goes straight into Asana, where I can organize it alongside any other things I’m working on at the moment. As somebody who juggles a wide variety of projects for RGI’s various partner organizations, this really helps me keep everything in check.
Staying Flexible
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a college student, is that it’s easy to underestimate how quickly your schedule can fill up. In tandem with Google Calendar and Asana, I also try my best to plan what I can ahead of time. Every Sunday, I compile a list of what I need to get done in any given week. This helps me keep track of big tasks and effectively compartmentalize my time in other ways.
But of course, things don’t always go as planned. Short-notice meetings, out-of-the-blue tasks from clients, and shifts in priority can definitely keep you on your toes. Being able to roll with the punches is just as valuable as outlining your time. A way I’ve found to mitigate these thrown wrenches is to leave yourself some time between commitments, or to get a head start on bigger projects. Personally, I like to leave myself some extra time on Friday afternoons to act as a cushion, or as a chance to get ahead on next week’s tasks.
I’ve also come to realize that being productive doesn’t mean that every moment of your day needs to be occupied. Taking breaks and allowing yourself some time to recharge is just as important as getting things done.
Takeaways
Unsurprisingly, time management is something I know I’ll continue working on throughout my professional career. While balancing different responsibilities may be challenging, developing strong organizational habits like these can make a huge difference when it comes to productivity and overall well-being.
Ultimately, I’ve learned that successfully managing your time isn’t about having a perfectly blocked-out schedule every moment of every day. It’s about being intentional with your time and finding a balance that helps you do your best work!
Jackson Cornett
Jackson joined the RGI team in Summer 2026 as a Marketing & Communications Intern. He brings his expertise in Strategic Communications and Creative Media and Entertainment, both of which he’s majoring in at Butler University. Through this role, he works to expand his skillset in marketing and digital advertising, supporting RGI clients across countless projects. Outside of work, you can find him travelling, golfing, at a concert, or leading audio on film projects.