In college, the same as life, some weeks are harder than others. If you're anything like me, these weeks seem to come more often than not. Between presentations, studying, homework, and sorority events, it's hard to eat and sleep, much less have a social life. It can often feel like everything has to be done at once, and those are hard weeks to get through. I've been there plenty of times, so here are some of my tips to being successful even when life gets hard!
1. Plan Ahead
I'm such a huge believer in a good planner. I wrote out when I have class, what assignments are due and when, and at least try to keep up with my social life. But if paper planners aren't your thing, most smartphones have the ability to write things into your built-in calendar. Though this won't necessarily help you get through the week, if you see you have a lot of assignments dcue at once, you can get them done early and alleviate any potential stress.
2. Cut Out Wasted Time
If you usually spend your lunchtime on social media, maybe take a 15 minute break to look over your notes or read a chapter in a book. I'm personally so bad about wasting time scrolling through various social media sites, but it's always best to be proactive now instead of rushing yourself later.
3. Say No
If someone asks you to hang out, you can say no, Yes, it sucks to miss out of time with your friends, but you have four (five if you're like me) years in college to make memories. Your grades always come first, even if the FOMO is hard to deal with.
4. Take Care of Yourself
Sometimes when you're stressed and have a million things going on, it's hard to take a break to eat, sleep, or even take a shower. Believe it or not, you preform best when you take care of yourself, so even when you're stressed, be sure to avoid junky foods with complex carbs and sugars. When I'm really stressed and in a hurry, I like to eat protein bars and drink a few bottles of water. While no one can survive on this alone, it's better than eating a bag of Cheetos and Diet Coke. Trust me, your body (and brain) will thank you.
5. Make Lists
I am a master of to-do lists. They take over my desk and overflow from my trashcan. I love them. A long time ago, a teacher told me to take the tasks I need to complete, break them down into conceivable chunks, prioritize, and start working. Staring at a list with three papers and a project can seem daunting, but when broken up into smaller, more doable chunks, it's easier to divide and conquer.
6. Do Not Skip Class
It may seem like a good idea to skip class to do homework for another class, but don't. It's not a good idea. It never is and never will be. You end up finishing your homework, but behind in another class, adding on more stress to your already stressful week. Just don't do it.
7. Remember You Can Do This!
I've had my fair share of rough weeks in college. If I can make it through, so can you! Don't give up on yourself. Remember what you're working towards. It's a bad week- not a bad life! You're not alone and you CAN do this!
