So much is going on in the world all. the. time. We can’t do it all, so here are some tips for prioritizing, and accomplishing it all without losing your mind.

Make a list of your priorities in order of importance

This could change on a daily basis. Some days your top priority will be cramming for that exam in complete silence, other days it will be meeting as many different people as possible. Figure out what will benefit you most at any given time, and put the most important assignments/activities at the top, and work your way down.

Plan personal time

Personal, in this case, means alone. Everyone should have time to spend in their own minds reflecting, learning, pursuing personal interests, relaxing, etc. Whether personal time is an intense workout or a lazy reading day, it is so incredibly good for your mental health.

Plan social time

Too much alone time can be bad for you! It’s all about finding a balance. If someone is stuck in their own head, they can think themselves into boredom, or in some cases, dark caverns (the deep scary parts of people’s brains where the negative thoughts live). People are social creatures, and often times they are the best solution/rescue from your own thoughts.

Wake up at the same time every day

Yeah, this can be impossible. We as college students pull all-nighters, we go out, we stay up late talking about our hopes and dreams, and alarm clocks are our worst enemies. That being said, if this is something that interests you, it can be extremely beneficial for regulating your sleeping habits, establishing routine, and getting a jump-start on productivity for the day. Maybe you wake up and work out first thing every day. This is a great way of multi-tasking.

Find sneaky ways to multi-task

By waking up early and working out, you are establishing routine AND getting some personal time in AND making gainz (oh my!). Another way to do this: if your top priority is homework, then do your homework in a quiet place. But if your homework isn’t due for another couple days and you want to bond with friends, study with friends. That way you are socializing and still getting a little work done.

Sprinkle work with fun activities

If multitasking is impossible because you just need to hit the grind and focus, then plan freaking amazing breaks. If you have three classes back to back and a whole night of homework ahead, plan to go out for dinner and froyo with some friends. If you need a power nap, a change of scenery, a pedicure, do it. That way you can crank out the hard work with the anticipation of a fun activity, and then you’ll feel good going back to work after because you’ll have had some personal time.

There are plenty other ways to reduce stress and organize your life, and these are just some options, but it can’t hurt to try something new in those times when you feel like you are literally dying. Good luck to all of us.