As classes begin, we make new friends, join new clubs, take on the workforce and begin to realize that we may have taken on a little more than we can handle. Trust me, I'm there all the time. Although it may feel like sometimes I'm stumbling through life with no idea what is going on, that is far from the truth.
I came into college with a few goals in mind: get good grades, have a social life, do not gain the freshman fifteen, have a job, receive internships and manage not to have a mental break-down each week.
At the beginning of my first college semester a couple of fall semesters ago, I figured out how to accomplish these goals and with a little guidance, so can you.
1. Always make a list.
Have set tasks, goals and accomplishments listed. Knowing what you have done, have yet to do and have already completed will give you a look at the larger picture. At first it may seem like you haven't done anything but being able to see everything in a broader perspective will make you realize that you're closer than you think to finishing what you have to do.
2. Put it in the planner.
Write it all out when you have things going on. Being able to physically see all the things you have to do at specific times will, in turn, make you realize what time you have free to do other tasks.
3. Make the "adult" decision.
Would it be fun to go out every weekend? Of course it would be. Isn't it easier to binge a series on Netflix than to finish your essay? Of course it is. However, if you have a test to study for, study. Have laundry, do it. Have an exam early the next morning, look over your notes and get a good night's worth of sleep. Realize the choice you make affects your future and make the responsible one. It may not be fun but it will help you in the long run.
4. Be mindful of your future.
Remember that what you do today, tomorrow and even a week from now will define who you become. If you want to be successful, you have to earn it, and what better time to start than now?
5. Work off the stress.
If you're someone like me, you hate the gym. If you're even more like me, you're afraid of the gym. You may also be a little clueless of what you should be doing to get the best progress for your efforts. This is where you open your calendar, look at your schedule and see what classes are available at the times you are free. Try them, if you don't like the class see if you can get a personal trainer or a friend that is knowledgable to help you. If all else fails wing it and just go. You may not feel it at first but a half hour at the gym can help with your health and even help to bring down your stress levels.
6. Try the healthier options.
You do not have to have the kale smoothies, though they are delicious. Get the grilled version, maybe try skim instead of cream, try not to get the value fries every time you go to a fast food place, eat your veggies. Taking small steps towards eating healthy will help you feel better overall. You can indulge, just maybe not the whole container of ice-cream.
7. Find your caffeine of choice.
Personally, I'm not the same person before and after my first cup of coffee each morning. I'm drinking my usual, (medium with skim and caramel, no sugar) right now. If you're in college or the workforce of any kind and don't drink it, you are not a sane person in my eyes. To those of you who drink it, may your coffee, or caffeinated beverage of choice, be hot or iced, and your Mondays be short.
8. Sleeping is not for the weak.
It may make you feel better to study until the late hours of the night, or early of the morning but studies have shown that you will actually retain less information if you pull an all-nighter before the test. This will also make the rest of your week more difficult to pull through because you will be more tired. Sleep every night and you'll feel better and will be able to achieve more during the day time.
9. Let loose every once in a while.
Don't be afraid to let things go for a little while. Key word: little. Spend a night with a good book, go out with your friends, grab take out with the person you're seeing. Have fun, relax, make time for your friends, do not go crazy. A small break every once in a while will go a long way.
10. Go after your goals.
You are in charge of your life. Find out what you want and go for it. My heroine of spring semester 2016 is Blair Waldorf, I binged Netflix over break, don't judge me. But she is busting her butt, sometimes not in the nicest of ways, to get what, and who, she wants. She is independent and goes after what she wants. So strive to be the Queen B herself.
These steps have been helping me for quite a few years and I hope they help you too. Maybe with these and a little help from our friends, we'll all get by. Good luck this semester.
