Time is an American cultural value. From being on time to using one's time efficiently, time tends to be an ingredient in how successful we will be in college. Time has become a measuring stick of our worth or an end in itself. Efficiency in our culture is inseparable from time. Planning ahead and determining time constraints in completing assignments successfully is important in a highly technical culture. "Getting my work in on time" has a direct bearing on grades and graduation. Lewin (1936) found time and success were complimentary qualities between person and environment.

Astin (1984) even goes further when he states, "Most precious institutional resource may be student time," and further he points out "Success on course work is a function of time." Schmelzer & Schmelzer (1987) further demonstrated this relationship between time management and course success.