As Fall swings in and classes start up, college students are often pushed down a rabbit hole of homework, homework, and more homework. We're usually treated like robots who can and will accomplish anything thrown at them. You need a ten page paper on the ancient Greeks by next Tuesday? No problem!
It's in the name of procrastination that I decided to formulate this list as a resource for students like myself who suffer nightly drowning in assignments due the next day. While we always pull through, it feels as though we barely made it out alive.
So, I've built a survival guide to make things a little easier on those of us dreading another year of no sleep and lots of homework.
1. Set aside one hour of downtime every day.
Unbeknownst to the committed student, downtime is something everybody needs! If you can take just 60 minutes out of your day to spend some time on a hobby, be it in the morning, evening, or somewhere in between, you'll be happier, healthier, and far less frantic. Maybe you want to spend this hour reading a book, watching tv, playing an instrument, or taking a walk. The possibilities are limitless. Take advantage of that!
2. Keep a journal.
There's no better way to vent than to write everything down. Keeping a journal can help you keep your head on straight and get all frustrations out from the week. The journal doesn't have to be for writing about the events in your day. It could be for drawing, making lists, or writing down random thoughts that run through your head. Either way, make it a priority to spend some time organizing your own thoughts onto paper.
3. Take a nap.
As dangerous as this one can be, sometimes naps are needed. Try and limit yourself to 20-30 minute naps if you can. It's really all your body needs to rejuvenate and get on with the day. Taking naps that are a couple of hours long can mess up your sleeping patterns and confuse your body.
4. Team up.
Get a group of friends together and knock out your homework! It's not only more fun this way, but can help spread ideas around the room so no one ends up with a bad case of writer's block in the middle of a research paper. This idea is especially helpful around exam time. Form a study group and get studying!
5. Eat a snack...or a lot of snacks!
Newsflash: Food is one of the basic things that humans need to survive. However, college students often don't make time to eat three square meals a day. As a solution, keep a couple granola bars in your backpack and stock up the mini fridge in your dorm! Snacking shouldn't replace meals, but will help in case you skip one.
6. Make a schedule and stick to it.
Time management is key. Fitting so many events in your day is far easier said than done and usually pretty demanding. Write out a schedule, color code it if you have to, and put it somewhere you'll see it every day. Be sure to make time for not only homework, but also a nap, a snack, and one hour of downtime. Keeping yourself happy and healthy starts with sorting out all 24 hours of the day into something you're ready to conquer.
