1. Time Management
Now, do not mistake me. I do not mean that I struggle with managing my time (thanks, Passion Planner!) but rather I have trouble making time for everything that needs to be done. Take, for example, the dreaded exam week. My Monday will look like this: wake up at 4 in a haze, work until 10, homework or study until 3, go to class and take exams until 9:30, hopefully go to bed by 11. Then rinse and repeat until the blessed break from class begins. This leaves little time for anything else, mainly the essentials like eating and sleeping. Which brings me to my next point...
According to my schedule above, which is unfortunately pretty typical, you will see that I have only approximately 5 hours of snooze time. Given that the average adult needs anywhere from 6 to 9 hours of sleep to function normally, this is not anywhere near enough. Without fail, I wake up groggy and desperate for more z's. My poor snooze button is so abused. What is a girl to do? Glad you asked!
3. Caffeine Consumption
Supplement with caffeine, of course! Usually this consists of coffee but on some days (read: most), a strong cup of Joe just will not do the trick and only leaves me wanting more. Enter: Monster. One tall can of the good ole' Cancer Juice and I am well on my way to writing a fully-fledged thesis before 3 am! Heart pumping, hands shaking, eyes unable to close -- that's exactly how I love to start my days. Nothing better than feeling like a heart attack is imminent! So when it turns into eyelids so heavy they feel like lead, what the heck do you do?
4. Power Naps
Arguably the biggest struggle of all. You look over at your bed, the pillows so fluffy they could be marshmallows, the sheets so fresh and cool, the blanket so inviting. That's when your brain starts to turn against you. Just ten minutes, it says. You will wake up on time. No need to set an alarm. You are strong and capable. Of course your brain is a dirty, filthy liar and you wake up three hours late before grabbing your things in a daze and launching yourself headfirst out the door. This happens more than I like to admit.
5. All the Money You Save From Not Going Out....Ever
This isn't really a struggle so much as a perk. I have got absolutely zero, count 'em, zero friends and I have no idea what the inside of a club looks like. My wine bottles are dusty from lack of use, my Netflix account is overused, and the UberEats guy and I are on a first-name basis. At least I have all my Benny Franks to keep me warm...until rent is due.