With the fall semester ending and the spring semester presenting a fresh start, you may be looking to change a few things. Whether that's focusing on school more, venturing out of your comfort zone a bit or even focusing on yourself more; the spring semester is a perfect time to do so. It's immediately following the beginning of a new year and with a new schedule with new classes, it's a great way to start fresh.
Personally, I have a hard time in saying "no" to things and making sure I manage my time in a sufficient manner. So at the beginning of 2016, I tried to implement better time management for the year so, to help you out this semester here are some things that worked and some things that didn't.
DO: Establish priorities
For me, this referred to my daily schedules, especially homework. Most of my classes were not every single day, so this was easy to prioritize the work I needed to get done. Depending on what was due would determine when I would actually complete something. Though I did try to get everything done the day it was assigned because it just made everything easier for the following days.
Also, establish your priorities in the sense your values. This is a big one that is usually saved for the later years of college, but it's good to kind of get an idea of this beforehand. But by this I don't mean family, friends or finding someone to marry, but I mean your classes, your friends, your clubs and the activities you involve yourself in.
DON'T: Procrastinate
This was definitely the hardest thing that I had to overcome because when it comes to procrastinating and watching Netflix, I am a master.
To combat this and overcome the temptation, make a to-do this and maybe include specific times that you want certain things to be done. Or set a time for breaks as an incentive so that you can continue getting things done but rewarding yourself periodically.
DO: Relax and stay healthy
Take time for breaks, sleeping and taking care of yourself. Set aside a day or two out of the week, or just a specific time during the day to let yourself take a breather and relax. Yes you are at school to get a degree and further your careers, but your health both mentally and physically should come above all else.
I know there were times, especially close to Dead Week and Finals when I had work and studied so hard and so long that it was hard to continue unless I had tons of caffeine running through my veins and in no way was that healthy.
DON'T: Let the little things add up
Throughout the day, especially if it is a particularly busy one, make sure you can get the little things out of the way. Whether it's quickly proofreading a paper or sending some emails, make sure that whenever you have time to do them, do them. It'll make the night a lot less stressful when your list isn't so long.
DO: Know yourself
Know your limits. Know when to say no to things. Yes, being super involved looks great on your resume and to future employers, but not when it's at the cost of your well-being. Know when too much is too much, because there are only so many hours in the day. Again yes, doing a lot and getting various forms of experience is good, but you're at college to enjoy yourself so pace things and don't try to do everything in one semester. If it can wait for the next, then let it wait for the next. Or simply just follow an academic 4-year plan, don't try to fast-forward your progress.
I had a good friend that I thought loved being involved in various clubs and activities. But when it came down to it and it became too much, everything they were doing was stressing them out way more than any college student or any individual this age should be. But in the end, they learned their limits and how much they could handle.
And no, I'm not suggesting that this is the way to do it, but it is good to know yourself and your limit.
If you don't have time to add something else to your plate then don't do it. There shouldn't be any hard feelings and there most likely is another person willing to do what you don't have time for.
