The stress of finishing everything in before spring break can be overwhelming. Midterms, projects, and packing for break are all looming in the upcoming week. If you’re feeling pressed for time, check out our tips to save a few minutes!
1) Pack everything you need for one day when you leave your room.
Unless you live in North and all your classes are in the Science Center, chances are you’re going to walk Martin’s Way multiple times a day. Instead of spending time dashing back to your room to grab your books or gym stuff, pack it all with you when you leave in the morning (or even better- get it ready at night!). Planning out what you need the night before and packing all your books and gym clothes can help you be on time in the morning to provide extra time during the day to study or grab a quick lunch.
2) Use your phone’s calendar program.
If you have a smartphone, you have a built in calendar attached to you at all times. Even if you’re someone who needs to write everything down to visualize what you need to do, putting meeting reminders and alerts about exams and papers in your phone will only help you stay more on top of your work. You can set the alarm to go off 10 or 15 minutes before a meeting and pretty much get anywhere on campus! Most phones also have a program so you can sync the calendar on your phone with your computer calendar.
3) If you know you are going to snooze your alarm, set it 5 minutes earlier.
It might sound silly, but even 5 extra minutes will make sure you’re not the one awkwardly walking into class when the lecture already started. It might even give you enough time to grab Opus!  You can still press the snooze button once, but you won’t need to sprint across campus. Plus, when you leave your room feeling less rushed in the morning, chances are you will feel calmer all day.
4) Use your computer only when you need it.
This is probably the hardest one, but there’s really no need to have Facebook open when you’re reading a novel. Programs such as Self Control seem to be running on everyone’s laptop during finals week, but try using them during your study hours too! If it’s really an emergency you can always use your phone or ask a friend to check. Along with that, if you need to write a paper and keep getting distracted on your laptop, try working on a school computer. There are plenty in KJ, the Library, SCCT, and CJ. You won’t feel as distracted by what’s going on around you or on the screen.
5) Be realistic about the work you can get done over the weekend.
Truth is, if you don’t have a ton of stuff due towards the end of the week, using that time to finish an assignment due Monday will make you happier over the weekend. If you know that you are going to go out Friday and your hangover won’t even go away until 3pm, don’t plan on writing an entire essay Saturday afternoon. Start your work earlier and actually get some sleep before a new stressful week begins!Â
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