*Note: my classes may be different from yours, but take my advice as best you can*
Your advisor or your friends may say you’re crazy for taking 18 credits, but it really isn’t all that bad. There can even be benefits in the future. For me, I am studying abroad next fall. Because I’m taking 18 credits now, I won’t have a crazy semester when I return for my last semester of college. Here are my six tips on how I handle 18 credits:
1. Organize your schedule the way you want
Figure out what time of day you best focus, and schedule your classes for that time. I have three classes in the morning, an hour break for lunch, and two classes in the early afternoon (MWF). Having classes back to back is easier, for me, because it gets them over with quicker. Then, I have work in the mornings, an hour break for lunch, and one class in the afternoon (T, R).
2. Find time for yourself in even the shortest of breaks
During the week, I have an hour break for lunch. I go right to my apartment, grab what I want to eat, go to my room and turn on the TV. While I sit on my bed I may do some work, but the important part is that I have this time to relax, eat some good food, and watch something I love (currently: “Avatar the Last Airbender”).
3. Buy snacks you love
Buy bulk foods that you can enjoy for a while. I buy snack sized bags of Skinny Pop, SunChips, Grapes, peach cups, yogurt and rice. For some reason my latest obsession has been Toasted Almond Rice Pilaf. It takes 20 minutes to make with minimal effort required. Eat foods you love while doing work or doing a favorite activity and you’ll feel happy!
4. Try something you’ve always wanted
I recently went to a yoga class in the gym. I’ve been meaning to try yoga for a while, and in the gym I found a printed schedule of a variety of classes (ex: Yoga, Body Pump, Zumba, and Cycling). I found a time that worked for me, and the instructor was very welcoming, and I even found someone to accompany me each week!
5. Keep an agenda
Buy one, and ACTUALLY USE IT! I don’t know if you’re like me, but in the past I’ve bought an agenda, thinking I would be organized, but I never wrote in it! With 18 credits, I know how important it is to keep track of assignments. I write down everything that’s due for each class, and I put checkboxes next to them so I can check them off as I complete them. It really helps me stay on track!
6. Plan an everyday fun activity
Yoga is only once a week, so I wanted to find another activity to do every other day. Pretty much every day now, a few of my friends and I watch “Lost” around 10 p.m. We’ve already finished the show, but we all thought it was so good that we wanted to watch it again, together. I make sure to complete my assignments beforehand.
Even though there’s a lot going on in my life this semester, part of it includes fun activities! The weeks have been going by fast, too, which means the weekend is always right around the corner! Good luck this semester, I know you’ll do great.