Struggling to adjust to life as a college freshman, Sarah Plutnicki, a nursing major, appreciates all the help she can get.

“I have problems managing my time,” Plutnicki said. “I see an academic coach every week to help me with studying skills and setting schedules. It’s hard, because when I sit down to study, I find myself reaching for Facebook or my iPod.”

Students like her who have trouble managing their time are invited to a 30-minute presentation on effective planning methods at 4 p.m. today in the Effingham Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The event, hosted by the Student Success Center, is marked on Plutnicki’s calendar.

Her neighbor in Lawson Hall, Serine Jones, a freshman undecided major, also plans to attend to help with the transition from high school to college, as well as learn to use her time wisely.

“I’m terrible with time,” Jones said. “My mind is spinning with all the things I have to do right this very moment. I make time for sleeping and socializing, and all the procrastinating is starting to catch up.”

Between heading to classes, hunting for jobs and hanging out with friends, as well as immersing herself in the Black Student Union, Jones finds little time for homework.

“I need to prioritize. Sometimes I don’t even get around to feeding the fish. I could use a few tips,” Jones said.

Taisha Mikell, student success specialist, said that with a multitude of organizations recruiting in full swing and numerous research opportunities to get involved in, planning is critical for college students juggling schoolwork and socialization.

“It’s easy to get off-track and led astray,” Mikell said. “It’s especially difficult for first-year students who move from a structured day where they get up and go to school and finish around 3 p.m. to Eastern, where they only have 15 hours of structured time a week. The rest is on them to manage their time. Many are able to do it, but many don’t and make no conscious effort to do so.”

Mikell nevertheless urges all students to take charge of their schedules, as well as advantage of the valuable tips and tricks toward becoming a more organized individual.

“We want to give students time management tools and techniques that they can use to be successful,” she said. “The workshop will focus on how to get all the things done that you want to get done.”

The program is part of a series of presentations that the Student Success Center is offering throughout the semester.

Mikell encouraged all to come, whether grappling with a full schedule on top of extracurricular activities or simply at odds with accomplishing everything needed for a particular class.

“We see students who are more involved with activities like Student Government and Greek Life, and resident assistants who typically have a lot more things going on,” Mikell said. “However, the program is open to the entire campus, including those who want to learn how to better manage their time around classes.”

Erica Whelan can be reached at 581-7942 or elwhelan@eiu.edu.