This semester felt like a mix of busy weeks, colorful planners, early mornings, and a lot of learning who I am under pressure. I had to build routines that made me feel grounded because juggling classes, Her Campus, the Writing Center, friendships, and a long-distance relationship meant that the only way to stay sane was to stay organized. These are the things that genuinely helped me, the things that didn’t, and the shifts I’m making next year.
The Routine I Refused to Break
Before the semester got chaotic, I made rules for myself that I actually committed to.
Going to bed at 10:30 p.m every week night, even if I still had a chapter to read. Waking up at 7:05 a.m every morning, even when I wanted to snooze my alarm. Putting myself first, even when my instinct is to people-please.
Those habits made everything else easier. Sleeping early meant my brain worked better. Waking up at the same time every day made my morning routines feel steady. And constantly reminding myself to prioritize me kept me from falling into burnout the way I usually do around midterms.
My System for Surviving Assignments, Exams, and Everything in Between
Classes were probably the biggest part of my schedule, so I needed a system that would help me keep up without losing my mind.
The first thing I did was connect Canvas to my regular calendar so every single assignment, quiz, and exam automatically showed up. No surprises. No missing deadlines. When I planned my schedule last spring and registered for classes, I also made sure my Fridays were completely free. I wanted one day where I could breathe, reset, or literally do nothing without feeling guilty. Having Fridays open gave me space to catch up, rest, or simply exist after long weeks. I color-coded everything by class because it helped me see at a glance what kind of week I was walking into.
This semester, I also built a Notion setup that became my academic lifeline. I created a full page dedicated to each class with weekly readings, upcoming assignments, exam dates, and a master to-do list. I even added a weekly goals section so I could focus on the top three tasks that mattered most.
And my favorite trick was pretending assignments were due two days early. If something was due Sunday at 11:59 p.m, it was due Friday in my brain. That saved me dozens of Sunday meltdowns. It also made my weekends feel like actual weekends instead of crunch time.
Study spaces mattered too. When I needed silence, I went to the fourth floor of Alkek. When I needed noise, I grabbed a drink at Jo’s Coffee and worked there. Weekly resets became part of my Sunday night routine. I cleaned my backpack, refreshed my calendar, laid out my outfits for the week, and made a little to-do list for Monday so I wasn’t starting the week already stressed.
Balancing Her Campus, the Writing Center, and My Sanity
Balancing multiple orgs meant I had to be really intentional with my time. Her Campus alone was a whole universe of editing, meetings, writing deadlines, and Slack pings. The Writing Center had its own responsibilities and shifts. And then I still had to show up as a student.
Because of that, I expanded my Notion so it included a Her Campus hub. I tracked publish dates, which writers I was editing, which stories needed revisions, and what still needed to be approved. Keeping HC and academics in the same workspace helped me see everything in one place.
Time blocking saved my life, too. I started scheduling everything an hour before I had to be somewhere so I could prep, read notes, or simply not rush. I showed up every time because consistency builds trust. And the more leadership roles I took on, the more I realized how important boundaries are.
Staying Connected Even When Life Got Busy
Something I promised myself this year was to stay connected to my friends even when life felt overwhelming. Not every hangout needed to be a big thing. Sometimes it looked like inviting a friend to study at the library with me when we were all drowning in assignments. Sometimes it was a Dutch Bros run before class or a walk across campus together. Texting routines helped too. Even a “how’s your day going” or “thinking of you” made me feel close to them. Protecting my energy also mattered. I learned not to feel guilty on days when I just needed rest. My friendships became healthier when I stopped forcing myself to be everywhere all the time.
How We Stayed Close From Far Away
Long distance made some parts easier and some parts harder, but it taught me a lot about communication. We stayed connected through tiny routines that made our days feel intertwined. Things like texting “in class, love you” or “starting a writing session love you” helped us stay updated without needing deep conversations at the worst times.
We called during the day, usually when I was walking home from class or when he was driving back from work. We gave each other space when life felt overwhelming. And we gave each other grace when we were tired or stretched thin.
This semester showed me that healthy relationships don’t need constant attention. They need kindness, updates, softness, and effort. Long distance is easier when both people care enough to try.
How I’m Planning Smarter for Spring
This semester worked for me, but it was not perfect. So here is what I’m changing.
I am not overbooking myself. I am not saying yes just because I feel like I should. I want to plan ahead earlier, protect my mornings, and give myself more time to breathe. I want stronger boundaries with my time and my energy.
I also want self-care to be something I practice daily, not something I only turn to when I feel drained. Drinking more water, taking myself on walks, picking one day a week to reset, and giving myself downtime before bed.
Next year, I want more balance and less burnout. More gentleness with myself. More routines that actually support me. And yes, maybe a few more color-coded calendar squares, because those always make my brain happy.