With only a few weeks left of the semester, things can start to feel very overwhelming. You might be wondering how you can maximize your time and how to make the most out of your days. One of the things that have really helped me stay productive is going to bed earlier. Last year, I would stay up until 1 or 2 in the morning, and then I would feel exhausted and groggy the next day. Now, I go to bed around 10:30 to 11 PM each night and it has really made a difference!
After I have gotten a good night’s sleep, I wake up feeling well-rested and more energized to start the day. Because I am an English and Creative Writing student, I like to take the mornings to do my writing as well as read any books for class. For me, mornings are the times I am most productive and most motivated to get things done. I like to get my school work done during the day so I can relax in the evening. However, during exam periods and busier school times, I do find I am still doing work throughout the night.
What I like to do to make the more stressful and busier days feel less overwhelming is break up my day. I always make sure I have written out a to-do list for the week so I know what I have to accomplish each day. This helps me stay organized and breaks up my workload. As I said, I start my mornings by getting my reading and writing done. Next, I make sure to sit and have some breakfast. This is the time when I scroll through my phone and check my messages. I don’t like to go on my phone when I first wake up because I find I stay in bed longer and feel more tired. Then I will get started on whatever homework I need to get done for the day and work for a couple of hours. After this, I take a break to do a home workout or go for a run. Staying active throughout this pandemic has really helped me. It gives me a mental escape as well as a way to energize my body! After this, I break for lunch and give myself a little task to do around my house. This also helps to break up my day so I don’t feel like I am just sitting down and not moving my body. Once I feel ready to start my work again I do, and I work until I feel tired. I always listen to my body and try not to force myself to stay awake.
Ultimately you have to do what works for YOU! As long as you establish the times in the day when you are the most productive and take advantage of those times you will get your work done. Giving yourself mental breaks to stretch, eat, move your body, or watch a show is so important! If you don’t do this you will probably burn out and feel drained. Try to break up your day as much as possible with your school work but also the things that you love!