Go to college they say. It's the best time of your life they say.
I don't know about you, but college really has been the best time of my life. I've seen new places, made life-long friends and done things I never thought I would. Like climb a mountain and run a marathon! But honestly, it can be exhausting.
No, I'm not a mom with kids to take care of (I don't even want to think about that level of exhaustion yet) but I sometimes feel like I'm running on fumes.
This weekend I took a four day vacation from school and work because I knew I really needed it. And yes, it's only September. Endurance is the key for finishing college. With nearly 30% of students dropping out after their freshman year, it's so important to take things in stride and to take care of yourself.
So when you’re exhausted and can’t seem to catch your breath, remember a few things!
1. Resting isn’t lazy.
You may feel like a bum taking a nap in the middle of the day, but if you're struggling to stay awake, do yourself a favor and rest for a bit.
2. Your work is important but so is your health.
Your work has to get done, yes, but if you consistently pull all-nighters, chug coffee and neglect your health, you'll eventually burn out. There's no benefit to sprinting the race if you're just gonna cramp up.
3. Be kind to yourself, stop expecting perfection.
Somedays you just won't be able to do everything like you want to. If that's the case, maybe you should count your loss and realize it's just not your day and try again tomorrow. Don't be too hard on yourself.
The CEO of a major company once said her dad used to encourage failure everyday, because it said she was trying things.
4. Sleep is more important than Netflix or social media.
Go to bed! Set a realistic time you want to go to bed and stick with it. Put down the phone and turn off Netflix.
5. Remember why you’re doing what you are.
Seeing purpose in what you do changes everything. The minute you start losing motivation to go to class, finish an assignment or do the reading for the week, remember the career that you've been working towards, and the life you want to have.
6. Make memories and do what you love.
Take a break and do something that energizes and relaxes you. Paint, draw, read a book, take a bike ride, do what makes you happy.
7. Make a realistic to-do list everyday
Make it as soon as you start the day and then plan everything around it. It'll give you focus and drive but also a finish line for the day.
8. Use a planner to keep yourself organized
If you go through your week unorganized, you're bound to walk around like a chicken with it's head cut off; you waste time on things you don't really care about and have to scramble to do the things you do care about. Start the week with intentionality.
9. Call your mom
She'll know how to encourage or comfort you and if not your mom, talk with someone who knows you best and knows what you need to hear.
It’s easy to get caught in the busyness of life, but don’t just let it fly by. Hang out with friends, read a book, take pictures for the sake of memories and not for a like on Facebook, dance around your kitchen while doing the dishes, pick up a carton of Ben and Jerry’s on the way home. Make great memories.
I hope when you’re at your lowest point you’ll remember above everything that God doesn’t want you to walk alone. He wants to give you strength, refreshment and so much joy. There is something so strangely sweet about going through a day knowing that Jesus was the only reason you got through.
Also, give yourself a Michael Scott pep-talk everynow and then.
