Reality:
You're most likely already in college, or you're about to start. You're enrolled in at least 12 hours this semester, you work a job (or two), you play a team sport, you're involved in clubs and you're trying to incorporate some type of social life in the midst of it all. Not to mention you're still trying to get this "adulting" thing down, right? What? You mean milk and eggs don't always magically reappear in the cabinets every week? It all seemed like a great plan at first, but now it all is extremely overwhelming! Don't worry, I've been there, too! After almost three semesters of college, I almost have this "adulting" thing down (again, I said almost).
What not to do:
1. Don't skip class
The class may be boring, tedious and prolonging, but trust me, you will miss something important! This isn't high school!
2. Don't stress out
Everyone stresses out at one point, but remember that it will only worsen your situation.
3. Don't put off studying the night before
Chances are, you're not just putting off one class, but probably all of them. When this happens, you'll tend to stay up way too late and wake up late the next morning—missing some time to take your exam the next day! Yikes!
Personal Experience:
As a freshman, there were many milestones I had to cross before figuring everything out. I started out with 16 credit hours for my first semester, I had my own apartment, I just started working a job, I was running cross country and was on the dance team. At first, attending class was a breeze, but as I started staying up super late at night during the week trying to fit everything in, some classes began to not become a priority. I quit showing up to some—only checking the homework that the professors posted online, and I started to only show up for exams near the end of the semester. I printed off the lectures online, did my homework and occasionally read the textbooks, but I failed to realize the details and relevance the lectures brought. I didn't fail these classes, but imagine what I could have done by showing up more often! Fridays were the worst. I had three or four classes, practice, work, study time and maybe an hour in-between one class to keep up with cleaning. I realized that because I had so much going on, that I wasn't doing everything to it's full potential. The list of my stressors could have went on and on, but writing a novel would not be necessary, nor entertaining. Here are some tips on how to be organized, stay calm and enjoy your new life chapter:
1. Cut it out
Quality is always better than quantity. You may have a wide spectrum of interests, but the more you do, the less time you will have to spend doing your best on. Take a few less credit hours, if you're in two sports, cut it down to one, cut out some social time to once a week.
2. You, you, you
You need down time! I know college is busy, and you want to feel productive, but you must take time out just to cool it! Start a new netflix series or something. Take naps. Eat ice-cream—lots of it.
3. Get a wall calendar or a planner
Write out everything that you have going on for that week. It will bring you clarity and peace of mind.
4. Lists
Write a list for everything. Have a list for a list, I don't care. Seriously.
5. Don't cram
Test next week? Start studying today.
Need to train for the next meet? Schedule a times/days in the morning to do it.
Laundry day? Set a day each week.
Stop overloading yourself with everything in one day, you stress machine!
In conclusion, adulting isn't so hard. I understand wanting to feel productive and busy, but at times, you can overload yourself to the point where you feel as if you are going nowhere anymore. Take a chill pill, organize your weekly priorities and stay confident, you adult, you!
