As a chronic overachiever, I have a tendency to fill my schedule to the brim. Since I’ve started college, I have repeatedly overestimated the number of commitments I can handle. This semester, I am taking well over the recommended amount of credit hours, and I’ve had to get pretty creative in my pursuits of taming my wild schedule. This crazy and stressful schedule has helped me develop some tips and tricks for managing it, while still finding time for other aspects of my life. Here are four of my tips for making the most of your schedule this semester!
- Use a calendar!
-
While I would like to think I have a pretty good memory, it is far from perfect. Some things will inevitably slip through the cracks. To help with this, I use Google Calendar to manage all of my due dates. As soon as I get a syllabus, I input every assignment for my classes, and it helps me decide what I need to prioritize.Â
Google Calendar is even great for blocking off study hours throughout your day. I like to fill in a few dedicated hours each day, so I know exactly when I’ll have time to get my homework done.
- Get work done early in the day
-
This may be a controversial opinion, but by the time the evening comes around, I am so done with the day. The last thing I want to do when I get home from club meetings at 9 P.M. is read a scholarly article. To avoid this, I schedule all of my study time in the mornings before class and earlier in the day around my work schedule. This really helps me emphasize that school-life balance by keeping my evenings free for organization meetings and my friends.
- Separate the rest space
-
I personally cannot get any work done in my bedroom, especially when I’m lying down in bed. There are way too many distractions. I also believe that keeping those stressful studying vibes out of your safe space is so important. I think it’s so important for focus and mental wellness to keep the studying sessions out of your room. My work also gets done way faster when I have the space to focus while staying away from my apartment’s many distractions.
I usually try to stay on campus until my schoolwork is done. There are plenty of study spots for silent studiers and those who can’t stand the silence. I feel most productive when I find a place with plenty of natural light and a few outlets for my chargers! When I can’t stay on campus, I love to find a cute coffee shop or sit outside at a park (when it’s not too hot, of course). Just anything to stay out of my bedroom!
- Protect your mental and physical wellness
-
I think the most important way to manage a crazy schedule is to understand your limits and protect yourself from pushing too far. Mental and physical wellness are so important in college, so I am always sure to drink enough water and get enough rest. I always feel like doing these things helps me feel like I am fully capable of everything I need to get done. There is no point in trying to get work done when you’re physically and mentally exhausted, so I am always careful to take breaks as I need them. That includes giving myself full rest days when I am sick, and going and grabbing a little treat when I feel like I need them.Â
Protecting your mental and physical wellness also means protecting your peace. Too much stress and anxiety can be such an inhibitor for my success in my classes, so I always try to remember that my worth is not dependent on my academic success. However you choose to protect your peace is perfect!
College can get a bit hectic at times, but learning how to manage my schedule has made a huge difference in how that affects me. I love having a good balance between class work and a social life, and these tips have helped me achieve that. At the end of the day, no schedule is ever going to be perfect, but building habits that make life feel a little less overwhelming is what really counts. Even small things, like planning ahead, protecting your peace, or simply giving yourself grace can make even the busiest semester feel a little more manageable.