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Welcome to a kicked-off semester, everybody! I hope everyone has had a great first few weeks of school, work, and daily responsibilities. Currently, I’m at the UT Turtle Pond lawn feeling contemplative; about the school year, how it’s been shaping up for me, and the changes I’ve made. Let me fill you in.
We are all familiar with that New Year Motivation (NYM) that kicks in after every winter break. With a fresh schedule, new supplies, and an abundance of New Year’s resolutions, the start of the semester feels like a fresh start every time. However, many of us also know the feeling of that NYM slowly fading as the months pass, filled with monotony and early mornings. Before you know it, you’re surrounded by laundry loads and missing assignments. It happens to the best of us, and it is definitely trying to creep up on me.
But, as I mentioned, things are looking different for me this year. Despite last semester being a rough ride (that’s a whole different story), I’ve been implementing a few key strategies into my routine that have been helping me stay on top of things. And not only that, but they’ve also kept me motivated to stay there. Let’s dive into these eight tactics that have helped me stay motivated and on track as I navigate the busy college life.
- calling my grandma
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I have been focusing on the habit of calling and texting my grandma for little life updates. It’s a way for me to stay connected to the people who support me and who have always wanted to see me succeed in life. I like to send her pictures of what I’m up to and update her on the things that bring me joy while I’m away for college. She has expressed that it makes her really happy to hear from her grandchildren, and although those conversations usually last around 2 minutes, it has been bringing me joy too. I love hearing about what she’s been up to, and sharing these glimpses of my life with her makes me excited to see her again. I find great value in the fact that we can stay connected as we both continue to live, change, and grow.
- Saturday – not Sunday – resets
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“Sunday Resets” are such a common and beloved concept. And with good reason! I, too, watch the ASMR Clean Toks and have memories of my old roommates, family, and mothers everywhere getting down to business on Sundays, taking care of laundry, vacuuming, changing the sheets – the whole shebang. Hear me out, though. There is something truly special about hitting that sweet spot right before the weekend actually starts transitioning into a new week.
I had the idea when I did it randomly on a free Saturday afternoon. I was just bored, but I have not been able to replicate the feeling since. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t exactly nailed down the consistency, but still, you cannot change my mind about how a Saturday Reset feels. Waking up on Sunday morning, realizing that I have a full day to myself and no dread of having to start chores, other taking care of whatever it is I wore to 6th the night before; That feeling of procrastination and the rush to get everything done before Monday morning? Yeah, I don’t know her anymore. Saturday resets are where it’s at.
- Using a physical calendar *and* to-do list
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First up, I’ve got my trusty physical planner, which is like my lifeline. It helps me establish my tasks for the day, keeps my to-do list in check, and has its own calendar. There’s more, though. I also got a whiteboard calendar that came with extra goodies, like a list section and a blank board for notes. I write all my events, meetings, deadlines, and appointments on the calendar, which I keep over my desk beside my bed. Then, I use the list section for my immediate to-do’s. And finally, the blank section holds grocery and household needs, simple reminders, and whatnot.
Having these two things simultaneously keeps all my responsibilities right in front of me, whether I’m hustling at school or taking care of stuff at home. And the beauty of it is that I can switch between them seamlessly. When it comes to immediate tasks that I can take care of when I’m home, like folding laundry or sending specific emails, I turn to my whiteboard to-do list. When my tasks and activities are scattered and I’m on the go, my planner takes the crown. It’s all about breaking things down and having it all written out, making it easier to tackle tasks one by one.
- making things enjoyable
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I might have just found the perfect formula to enjoy “doing things.” I always start with my favorite setup: a good playlist and relaxing lighting. Personally, I’m a big fan of warm-colored lamps and Christmas lights. You know, for ambiance. Then, while the music is playing and the lighting is pretty, I organize my to-do list on that good ole’ whiteboard. I like to start the list with the easier and immediate tasks on top, working my way down to the more complicated or lengthy ones. Crossing off the first items impulses momentum, and by then, the satisfaction starts feeling like a little game of achievements. Taking the time to be with myself and my thoughts, while I’m in the right headspace, is like my little ritual that helps me focus and enjoy the moment without distractions. Not only do I feel good about myself throughout this, but the time spent doing it goes by quickly, trust.
- making the bed
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Simple, sometimes even jarring, but wildly satisfying. This is another one of those habits that I honestly never cared that much about. But lately, I’ve been realizing how such a small task like making the bed in the morning can set the tone for an entire day. There’s something about smoothing out the sheets and fluffing the pillows that just feels right. Plus, I can attest that it does somehow boost productivity and sets a positive mindset for the day. At least that’s what I’ve read about and experienced. So, why not start my day on what seems like the right foot? Sometimes little things like that make a big difference. Which, leads me to my next point.
- stopping the rush
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Apparently, waking up early in the morning, not just 30 minutes before class starts, can actually make your day enjoyable. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the best at this — I absolutely love sleeping and being cozy in bed. However, I can confidently say that the times I’ve managed to wake up early, it’s made a world of a difference. And funnily enough, I don’t feel the urge to crawl back into bed in the middle of my afternoon. I feel energized and ready to keep tackling the day. Who knew that a good night’s sleep can provide the time and energy to actually get up, make breakfast, shower, and start living life? The key is simple: getting up, embracing the morning, and taking time to enjoy whatever I enjoy without feeling rushed or pressured to jump into tasks the second I wake up.
P.S. Y’all can thank my coffee-loving, persuasive, early-riser of a boyfriend for that one.
- PhYSICAL organization
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Let me tell you about this absolute game-changer. Not that it’s any controversy, but it’s all about having a designated spot for everything in your life. I used to brush this off as an irrelevant, repetitive, and senseless mundane rule. But boy, is it a rule for a reason. I learned to care about it the hard way. I’ll even go ahead and confess that having a wallet at all is a new thing for me.
From organizing my bedroom to throwing away semihoardings and decluttering, to ensuring my new wallet and keys have a home, I’ve come to realize the importance of it all. I even dedicated a couple of days to organizing the folders on my laptop’s desktop and Google Drive. When I say physical and digital organization is a game changer, it’s because I actually feel a sense of control over my academic and personal life now. In essence, I’ve learned that having a place for everything isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about efficiency, peace of mind, and setting yourself up for success in every aspect of life. And even though this isn’t a polished habit for me yet, having started and appreciating it has motivated me to perfect it.
- phone reminders
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Now this one I owe to my mom. I am prone to easily getting distracted and overwhelmed by life, so setting reminders on my phone has been a lifesaver. Appointments, meetings, meal times, medication reminders, everything. This keeps me responsible when it comes to my commitments, other people’s time, and even my own body.
So there you have it! These are some of the changes that have helped in my journey to getting back on track and staying there. Now, I’m not gonna sit here and tell you that I have mastered all of these tasks and somehow became a guru for getting my life back together. But, I’m sure as hell still motivated to do so, and I can feel myself getting there. NYM style.