We’ve all said things like “I’ll get to it later,” or “Just five more minutes,” or told ourselves a quick scroll won’t hurt. It always feels like there’s more time to study, to start that project, to prepare for the exams, to reply to that message, to figure things out. But the truth is, time isn’t unlimited. And most of us are using it like it is.
One of the Stoic philosophers Seneca wrote in his book “On the Shortness of Life” that we are misers about money and property but often so careless with the one thing that we cannot get back: time. We let people steal it from us as if we have unlimited supply! Time is you most precious and irreplaceable asset. Strive to waste as little as possible.
The thing is, at this stage of your life — college or university, whatever you’re doing — it’s not just a phase. It’s the foundation for what’s coming next. The way you spend your time now is shaping the person you’re becoming. It’s building your habits, your mindset, your work ethic and doing things that matter to you the most. And if you keep giving away your time carelessly, you’ll look back and wish you didn’t.
But the answer isn’t to become some hyper-productive robot. It’s about being intentional. Start by being honest with yourself. Take just one day to notice where your time actually goes. Not where you wish it went — where it really goes. You’ll probably be surprised.
It’s also okay to say no. By saying no, you are saying yes to things that matter most to you. Not every request deserves your time. Not every message needs an instant reply. Not every plan is worth losing sleep over. Protecting your time is not being rude — it’s being smart and preparing yourself for the type of person you want to become.
Try creating little windows in your day where you shut off distractions and just focus. You’d be shocked at how much you can get done when you’re not half-scrolling, half-working. And when you rest, make it real rest. Don’t confuse mindless scrolling with recharging them. They’re not the same. Hold your actions for review at the end of the day. Accountability creates responsibility, which brings in lasting progress that we all aspire to.
The most important thing is to stop thinking of time as something you’ll always have more of. Because one day, you won’t. And the scariest part? You won’t even notice where it all went — unless you start paying attention now.
So, here’s the challenge: stop giving your time away for free. Use it on things that make you the person you want to be. Spend it on things that matter to you. Protecting it like your future depends on it — because it does.
