Midterms, readings, a thousand tiny choices that shape every single day. Moments that exist until they don't, and you're left wondering how on earth we're halfway through the semester when it feels like it's been two weeks, maybe three (yet simultaneously an eternity). Such is the nature of the new year, a breath and then the plunge.
A whirlwind of activity, juggling - and if you drop a ball, you're the one who gets hurt. It's invigorating and legitimately terrifying.
A few weeks ago, it hit me that I'm almost done with my first year of college. Only one quarter of the school year left! Next year I'll be a returning student, and next year has a host of possibilities and responsibilities that will shape the course of my life. There are plans for spring break and the summer to figure out, and job applications to be filled out.
There are so many important things to focus on that it's a daily challenge to prioritize the ones that matter most, and sometimes that changes.
Recently, I've been learning to prioritize rest. As someone who usually fits the stereotype of a busybody, this has been quite a challenge. The spring of my senior year of high school was ridiculously hectic, and I spent the first month of summer vacation recovering from it.
I now know what burnout feels like, and I've learned that it's something I want to avoid. I don't want to live life weekend to weekend, praying for a bit of rest. However, the choice to rest doesn't magically make all your responsibilities go away.
With this in mind, I thought I'd share a tip that's helped me find rest in the chaos of a busy semester.
Use any downtime you have to the fullest. I don't care if that downtime is the five minutes you have to wait before class starts, you can use it. Sit down and breathe, maybe doodle, joke around with your friends - whatever it is, be intentional about it. Set aside your breaks as actual breaks, not just space in between things that is spent worrying about the next activity.
I managed to find some time in my schedule that was basically "procrastination time" - I still procrastinate, only now it's more intentional rest time. I discovered that my procrastination was mostly me wanting to have a little bit of time to myself, not simply not wanting to do homework.
With that in mind, I've changed what that time looks like. Though this won't work for everyone, I've started watching TV in the time that I used to scroll social media and worry about all the homework I wasn't doing. It has a set end time and can be a time when my brain can actually rest.
The key to this method is the self-discipline of only watching one episode at a time, but it's been working quite well for me.
College isn't going to last forever, and it can be a beautiful time in our lives. However, I don't want it to pass me by without getting to stop and take the time to enjoy it - and I hope you feel the same.
