Every semester starts the same, with so much hope and high expectations. You want to have all of your work done days before the deadline all while getting plenty of sleep and maintaining a decent social life. All seems like a fantasy, right? Becuase by the end of the semester, you are overworked, running on little to no sleep, broke, and doing anything but thriving. There are little tips and tricks that can help you master your semester flow that won't be crazy or impossible, here are a few.
1. Get and use a planner.
Try multiple planners before you found the right one for you. But something as simple as a desk calendar can help you stay more organized and know when assignments are due or when you have an appointment. Scour Pinterest or ask friends what they use and then go from there. Once you've found the right method keep perfecting it and trying new things.
2. Plan your day the night before.
Right before you go to bed, lay out your outfit, and go over what you have going on the next day. Make a small manageable to do list, and pack your bag. That way when you wake up you won't be stressing about what you're wearing or what you have going on.
3. Take some "you" time.
Being productive is a great thing but overworking yourself is not. Know when you need a break and take time to yourself. Self-care doesn't always mean bubble baths and face masks, sometimes it means a power nap during a long day or ten minutes away from your computer. Just remember you are your greatest love, so treat yourself as such.
4. Ask for help when you need it.
Life gets overwhelming and the more you let yourself drown without a lifeboat the worse picking up the pieces will be. Your friends, family, and professor want you to succeed lean on them when necessary. Asking for help only shows that you care.
5. Learn to say no.
It's easy to say yes to everything with good intentions but too much on your plate can cause you to get stressed and not accomplish anything. Learn to say no when you're getting overwhelmed. You do not owe everyone every little piece of you. Your time is valuable.
6. Make time for things you love.
Find a new hobby or make time for an old one. Either way don't get too busy to enjoy life. You are working so you can enjoy this world. be sure to actually make time to do so.
7. Start study groups.
Going back to tip number 4, ask people in your class to study with you if you're stressed about an exam. Your fellow students are probably just as stressed as you are anyway. The extra help will get you to where you need and you might make a friend or even just a connection for the future.
8. Exercise.
The freshman fifteen is real and scary, but it's not the end of the world. However, it can cause unnecessary stress. So getting to the gym a few times a week and trying to eat as healthy as possible. College is hard and stressful don't add extra problems to your list.
9. Check in with yourself.
Listen to your body. When you start to feel ill, get rest and take care of yourself. You cannot always run on empty life will eventually catch up to you. When you know you need to take care of yourself do something. It can be as easy as drinking water or taking a break but figure out what your body needs and do it.
10. Learn and try different stress management techniques.
The more you learn about handling and managing your stress the better. You can talk to a doctor or read books learning how to best handle your stress levels is key to being successful in college and beyond. It can be anything from yoga to reading, or just enjoying some fresh air. Don't get discouraged if the first method you try doesn't work. Keep trying till you find whats best for you. Stress can kill and it will if you let it, learning to manage it now will help you in the future.
The care and keeping of your sanity is really the only way to make it through college. Pretending everything is okay or just tweeting about your unhappiness won't make it any better. So smile, take a deep breath and take on the world.
