In college, it can be easy to get so caught up in juggling classes, clubs, work and a social life, that you forget to take proper care of yourself. When I began my first semester as a freshman, the fact that everything was new and exciting made me love college. It’s the first real freedom we get because we’re now self-reliant and our decisions, and consequences, are all our own. I made the mistake of being too all or nothing, by either spending too much time working or putting a priority on having fun. Once that happens, burn out is almost inevitable. You really can have it all- you just have to be smart about it. Here are seven steps to making the most of your time, while keeping your head above water.
1. Find a routine and stick to it.
Some nights, I had a bad habit of finishing my homework and going to bed with full face makeup on because I was too tired for a nighttime routine. If getting ready for bed a while before actually sleeping works for you, then do that. Make a point to shower, wash your face, brush your teeth and get comfortable, then finish the last of your work. That way you can completely de-stress from your day and have a quicker morning when you wake up.
2. Have a reason to get up in the morning.
Although that sounds slightly sarcastic, waking up at a different time every morning can really mess up your sleep schedule. Keeping the same sleep schedule can help you both mentally and physically, so stop hitting the snooze button. You won’t be sluggish from pulling an all-nighter again, and you’ll avoid freaking out when you wake up ten minutes before class. What worked for me was setting a breakfast time with a few friends, that way we were up and ready at a decent hour. It’s also a nice way to spend some time catching up before a hectic day of flying around campus for the next eight hours. Plus, I was never late for a class by oversleeping!
3. Plan your time wisely.
Planners are probably one of the most useful investments you can make as a college student. Grab a cute one at Target, or you can download the app MyStudyLife, which will keep track of everything you need. It’s like a nagging mom, but much better. Writing down your class times, homework for the next day and any extra-curricular activities will be right at your fingertips. No more jolting awake realizing you forgot to do that French homework! By planning your days hourly, your time management will improve, and it’ll be easier to make time for the fun stuff.
4. Take a break when you need it.
Giving yourself a quick mental break will keep you going in the long run. If you’re going to be studying for a couple hours, try the 50/10 method. Work for 50 minutes and then finish the hour scrolling through your newsfeed, or go grab a coffee. Or, if you’ve spent the day working non-stop and feel like avoiding anything productive for the rest of the night, go ahead. You deserve it. Mindlessly scroll through Tumblr for a while, that’s what I usually do.
5. Balance, balance, balance.
Extremes are easy, balance is hard. It’s not a good idea to spend all your time holed up in the library, but going out every night will quickly catch up with you. Be sure to get your work done, then go have fun. Wouldn’t you rather not stress over that thesis paper due on Monday when you’re with your friends?
6. Do something you love.
When I was cramming for exams, I felt like I was forcing myself to sit at my desk staring at a textbook. It was probably a time I was the most creative since I had my mind so rigidly focused on studying, I needed an outlet to let my brain do something else. Within that week, I had bulked up a new art portfolio, written ideas for a short story and planned projects I wanted to start. Whatever talent it is you have, whether it’s drawing, writing, photography or baking, dive into it. Focusing on something creative will relax your mind and your life will seem less centered around school.
7. Find the right people.
Regardless of knowing almost everyone on campus, if you don’t have the right connection it’s easy to feel lonely. Keep in mind: quality over quantity. The type of people you should make friends with are those who will support you, help you grow and have enough in common that it feels natural. Forced friendship is never fun, but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid the non-ideal friendships. According to a recent article in "Time", having three close friends is the best for our health. Strong connections give a sense of belonging and will make your time spent at school more enjoyable, while you’re away from your family and comfort zone.
Self-care is largely a mental thing because most of it revolves around stress. By getting around it, you can avoid that feeling of “I can’t do this right now.” Trust me, we all feel it sometimes, but it shouldn’t be a permanent state of mind.
