As a Howard University student, you will quickly discover that there are a plethora of things happening on or around campus. Whether it’s a protest happening at the National Mall or a celebrity sighting on the Yard, every day will keep you on your toes.
Howard’s homecoming, one of the most anticipated events of the year, is a week-long event where alumni, friends, and family from across the country come to experience all of what The Mecca has to offer. With everything going on around you, staying on top of assignments and extracurriculars can become even more difficult. Here are some tips on managing your social and school life to avoid burnout:
Plan It Out
Buy. A. Planner. I cannot stress how much investing in a planner will help you accomplish so much. Some think that they don’t need one because they could rely on their memory, which may work occasionally, but it is still possible to forget important tasks.You can maximize your productivity by investing in a planner or journal that you can conveniently carry around and constantly update. Some of the most successful people in the world write down what they want to achieve, from long-term goals to daily agendas, so put your pride aside and get a planner. Take the time to organize your schedule by writing everything down from homework and study times to weekend plans and exercise.
Prioritize
In addition to keeping a planner, you should also make time to set your priorities. Think about which tasks and activities need immediate attention and what you can take care of later. For example, you know you have a paper due on the same day as your French test. Both are very important but you know you may need to invest more time each day in your paper than you will for your French test or vice versa. Always complete the pressing tasks first. The same applies to social events and extracurriculars. Your home girl wants you to go to a darty with her but you know you have to go to an important charity event that you’ve committed to so you put the darty on pause and go another time. Sometimes you will also have to turn down requests and opportunities due to a prior commitment and the other party will just have to understand that it is never anything personal, you just have your priorities in order.
Keep Time in Mind
As stated in the previous paragraph, some things have more priority over others, but tasks with less priority still need to be taken care of. Give yourself time to complete each task and stick to it. For example, it is Monday and you have a paper due on Friday along with a French test on that same day. Give yourself two or three hours each day to work on your paper and an hour or two to study French. Of course, give yourself some time for a break between studying for each discipline, but don’t get distracted for an over-extended period of time.
Make Time For What Really Matters
School work is very important during this stage of your life but you also know that there is more to your life as a young adult than school. You have friends, relationships, and yourself to tend to so make time to do so! If you workout, set aside a specific time that you will exercise each week, make time to hang out with your friends, get dressed and go on a date with your boo, and if you like cooking take some time to indulge yourself in the kitchen. You’ve been burying yourself in your books all week…take some time to reward yourself by doing something that you like. You deserve it!
BREATHE
Many college students do not take the time out of their demanding schedules to relax which often results in anxiety or burnout. At Howard especially, it can be difficult to find time to relax because being here makes you feel like there is always something that needs to be done or that you do not deserve to relax. This type of thinking causes people to bite off more than they can chew or participate in frivolous affairs for the sake of being busy. It is very unrealistic to think you can function properly without taking some time out to take a breather and people who don’t often suffer physically and mentally do to stress. Stop listening to those voices in your head that tell you that you do not deserve and break. Take some time to yourself, turn off your phone, skip that party…..take a break from the world and unwind! Your body and brain will thank you and you will be well equipped to take on life’s tasks.