With the fall semester in full swing, it's easy to get lost in the madness of tests, quizzes, papers, projects, and homework...not to mention any extra things such as organization involvement, jobs, meetings, social time, and time to simply relax. Sometimes, the worst could happen...multiple things will occur on the same day. What to do, what to do? How in the world are you to get everything done without begging for extensions or calling in sick or some other excuse that is just going to get old and unbelievable as time goes on?
For starters, I feel your pain. This semester is---by far---the worst I've ever had, having three upper-level lab sciences along with a course for my second major and a history while maintaining a decent work schedule and writing at least one article weekly on top of that, is literally hell on earth. Don't get me wrong, I love all that I do (minus the schoolwork, of course) and wouldn't trade it for the world, but, well, it gets pretty insane sometimes. Depending on the day (particularly lab days...) food isn't an option until dinnertime and sleep is extremely minimal. Not fun. But, trust me, getting everything done on time is possible. Here are some tips on how to manage that busy schedule:
1) Keep a planner.
Keeping a daily planner (digital or a tangible notebook planner) is a fantastic way to stay organized and remember all that is due each day. Need to figure out if you're able to go out with the girls next Tuesday at 6 p.m.? Consult the planner. It holds the answers to everything. Believe me, mine has saved me from over-scheduling quite a few times.
2) Prioritize.
Have two tests on the same day? Figure out which one comes first or which one you know the least. That is what you should study for first. Same thing with homework. If you only have time that night to do one assignment and you know you have breaks in between classes the next day, do the assignment due first and do the rest in between those breaks. Prioritizing is key.
3) Make time for relaxing and necessities.
I know it's hard sometimes, but it is definitely best if you make time for relaxing: a quick nap, 4-5 hours of nightly sleep, regular snacking/meals, hydration... These are the things you absolutely need to make time for otherwise your day is not going to be bearable.
4) It's okay to say NO.
Sometimes there are times where you have to step back and simply say 'no.' With an already busy schedule, sometimes more things will be asked of you to do and, if it's not schoolwork or job-related, it's okay to say that you cannot do whatever it is. The person will understand. Again, beware of over-scheduling.
5) Set alarms.
Being late isn't great, setting alarms helps make sure you're punctual and are on time.
6) Try not to stress.
It's easier said than done, but if you believe that all is well and is possible, it makes your tasks that much easier.
All in all, a busy lifestyle isn't always a bad thing. In fact, busy schedules make a person more efficient in some cases. If you can do it, by all means go for it. Just be sure not to overload yourself to the maximum capacity, save some time for yourself and your friends and family. Don't forget to eat and don't forget to sleep. Your body will thank you later.
