The spring semester has started and, as always, the spring semester brings with it feelings of “aren’t we done yet”. Such feelings can lead to getting behind and becoming overwhelmed. To help avoid this here are five tips to start the semester out right:
1. Make a Calendar
I’m not talking about an agenda here. I’m talking about a real monthly calendar. It can be a calendar app on your phone/computer or one that hangs on the wall or a desktop calendar; but it will help you tremendously. What you put on the calendar is the most important: exam dates and paper dates. An agenda is for weekly and daily assignments, the calendar you are making is for the long term ones. These long term assignments have a way of sneaking up on us, so writing them down in one place that’s easy to look at is one of the best ways to stay on top of your work.
2. Establish a Homework Routine
This is very important for later in the semester, especially for assigned readings. I know many of you, like me, have a habit of doing less and less of the readings as the semester progresses. Establishing a routine early on can help prevent or delay the decline of reading completion. For instance, if you have an hour free between two classes, find a spot and do some homework. It will help free up your evening and perhaps reduce some stress levels to always know a certain amount of work will always get done. I, for one, like to find a seat in the library and work on my Greek translations between classes.
3. Establish a Sleep Schedule
I cannot emphasize this one enough. If you can establish a regular sleep routine your body will thank you. Everybody needs a different amount of sleep. Knowing what this amount is and trying to get this amount between the same two times every day will help stabilize your hormones and result in a happier, healthier you. I always try to sleep from midnight to seven am. I am not always successful, and I sleep later when I can. But the closer I stick to that schedule, the better I feel.
4. Eat Regular Meals
The number of people I run into in college who haven’t eaten that day or have eaten very poorly that day is astounding. I recognize that everybody has different metabolisms, but eating regular (healthy) meals, no matter the size is very important. It keeps you going and helps your body maintain its internal clock. (Just like sleeping regularly.) Now, obviously the best thing to do is eat all three meals, but two can work as well if that’s the kind of person you are. I eat three meals personally, but breakfast is usually very small like a mini muffin, a waffle, a single piece of toast, or even just a yogurt. Whatever your style is, eat at least twice and try to do it at the same times.
5. Spend Time With Friends
Work is hard. That’s why it’s called work. And while it needs to get done, never underestimate the value of taking some time off to relax your brain. Just like most of us cannot exercise for six hours straight, the brain has its limits too. Find the ratio of work to break that works best for you so that you are fresh and ready for every project, but not behind on your work. Get dinner with friends, make plans on the weekend, have movie nights and relax. There is one day of the week where I always get dinner out with my friends, no matter what. It’s an established part of the schedule that I do not change.
Following these five simple steps has allowed me to survive my often overloaded schedule and I hope they can help you out too.
