I don’t know how y’all feel out there but who knew how quickly midterms pop up or how much time extracurriculars take up in college? Sure surprised me. And as I’m sure that you are doing exactly what I am as I am writing this (which is avoiding writing my philosophy paper), I will keep this short.
As this busy time befalls us all, it’s important now more than ever that we stay organized and keep our lives in order. There are a few simple steps to have a healthier and organized life.
1. Use your planner
I’m sure you all have one somewhere, hiding on your bookshelf or underneath the stack of textbooks you haven’t cracked open yet. This can be an absolute lifesaver. I personally love my Lilly Pulitzer planner for having all my ducks in a row. I color code what I write by academic assignments, social events, extracurriculars and examinations. I also try to give a rough outline of each day and what I hope to accomplish in my “down” time between classes.
2. Take some time to relax
Studies are important and so are all the extra activities and organizations you are involved in on campus, but there is nothing better than scheduling in an hour to lie in bed, watch Netflix, and enjoy a cup of tea. By giving yourself time to really relax and reflect over your day, you will be better prepared to move ahead as you’ve allowed your brain to rest and de-stress. Stress is a killer and it has so many physical effects that can mess with your life. Learning to be a well-rounded, intelligent, and accomplished person will mean nothing if you cannot deal with the personal aspects of your life.
3. Develop healthy relationships
This goes hand in hand with my last topic. College, especially Duke, is even more than just learning from books and assignments. There is so much to learn from one another. Duke Admissions works so that we are surrounded by an amazing group of diverse people. Last week, I had a conversation about the recent events in Syria with someone on the bus whose family was exiled from Syria after their last revolution. The fact that this is possible here at Duke is amazing and you should take full advantage of it! Also, work on your relationship with your roommate(s). They are the people you will live with until May, and if you don’t have a good thing going with them, your life can be unnecessarily difficult. My roommates and I make a point to have a weekly movie night so that no matter how busy we get, we always have time blocked out for each other each week. By developing great relationships with your peers, you will be able to enjoy your time here a lot more.
4. Stay ahead of your schoolwork
Keeping up with your work is great but getting ahead of it is even better. Living day to day can make you even more stressed knowing as soon as you finish what’s due tomorrow you have the next day to worry about. Try plotting out a little time over the weekend to complete assignments due early in the week so that you can get a jump on what’s due even later.
5. Don’t be afraid to get help
If you’re struggling, go to your professor, your TA, or even the girl that sits next to you in class. We’ve all been and will be in that same predicament and letting a course swallow you whole won’t help keep the rest of your life in check. Do your best and when that’s not enough, reach out and find how to make your best even better. Your pride might sting a little, but you’ll be a better person for it in the end.
I hope these few tips have helped in some way, but now it’s time for me to get to back to my paper and you to whatever assignment you were avoiding too!
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