Life in general is crazy.
I don't know about you, but that statement is very true. And even crazy is putting it mildly. Life is more than craziness. It is overwhelming, stressful, fun, adventurous, altering, you name it, that's what it is. The one thing that makes life such is time. Time is either in our benefit or it's against us. It is either too much time or too little time. When it comes to school schedules and work schedules, making time, even five minutes, becomes a difficult task to accomplish.
When we organize our time, we will find space in our hectic schedules to have time to ourselves. This idea did not just come from me. My English professor asks us after every weekend, "Did you at least have an hour to yourself?" More often than not, some students will shake their heads and others will give a so-so motion, while very few actually nod yes.
To elaborate more on this issue, here are five ways I have found (and maybe you have as well) on how to have an hour of personal time:
1. Organize your schedule--classes, club meetings, work, homework/studying time and what time do you generally want to eat around--and see what spaces of time you have left.
When I started doing this regularly this year, it helped me to see not only how busy I was, but when I could sacrifice even a little time to myself. If you don't pay any attention to yourself and your well-being, it will start to effect you physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and academically.
2. Have breaks during homework that may take you a few hours or more.
I found this helpful when I am typing a paper. Type a little, take a break, type a little more, take a break, and so on. If I do this, I'm not staring at the computer and getting overwhelmed. This works for other homework as well. Anytime you have multiple assignments, start with one, take a break, then move onto the next. You will feel more confident in that you can still get it done in a timely manner.
3. Write it down so you have a constant reminder.
I'm like many of those people that if I don't write something down, I will forget. Notebook, assignment book, post-it notes, hand, mirror, calendar, cell phone alarm--whatever will help you to remember to pause and take time for you.
4. If a club meeting or any other meeting is cancelled, make that time for you.
Things happen and it's out of our control. If and when it does, use that time for you. Gives you a chance to breathe and organize yourself before going on with the rest of your day. It's also time that you made not have had before.
5. Find what you can do in that hour that you enjoy.
Whether it is taking a walk in the park, reading, writing, listening to music, watching Netflix with friends, talking on the phone-- do what you want. Do what makes you happy to lower your stress or anxiety levels.
All of these things are helpful ways in which you can finally have that peace of mind, wherever and whenever that may be. Never forget that you, as an individual, matter and want to be your very best.
