Life is a never-ending balancing act, but college life often feels like a whole new level of Cirque Du Soleil. In the midst of being young, wild and free, we are also expected to forge a path to a successful future. Not to mention that we also are supposed to discover ourselves, find meaningful relationships, take care of our bodies, impact the world around us and make it look ridiculously effortless all at the same time. The good news? We are capable of so much more than we think. Just like acrobats, we can achieve anything and everything we desire with a little bit of time, dedication and effort.
With that being said, here are five tips to help you master the art of multitasking, and get you on your way to living the life you’ve been dreaming of.
1. Set your space up for success
The environment around you plays a large part in your daily habits and your personality overall. Make sure the space you call home sets a peaceful tone, so no matter how hectic your schedule becomes, you always have a safe place to return to that is tidy and ready for you to get things done. Fill your walls with empowering words and art that inspires you so you have constant little reminders to stay uplifted even when you are feeling low.
2. Self-reflect frequently
Take a moment to compare and evaluate your current daily habits and your current daily responsibilities. Try writing them down in two columns side-by-side. Ask yourself, “Are these habits benefiting my daily responsibilities or making my responsibilities more stressful?” If you find that you are making choices that do not align with your long-term goals, adjust your schedule and perspective accordingly.
3. When in doubt, planner it out
Ah, the power to “pencil it in.” Using a physical calendar to stay on track with school assignments, involvement meetings, and work shifts is a major key to making use of every ounce of time you have. Invest in a calendar that you actually want to write in. Get creative with color-coding, stickers and highlighters! All of your busy due dates deserve to be celebrated because they are all opportunities to grow.
4. Be your own manager… (Time-manager, that is.)
Whenever you feel overwhelmed, don’t sit in terror and complain about impending doom. Remind yourself how strong you are, and sit down to create a game-plan. Schedule your day hour-by-hour, taking it one prioritizing step at a time. You may find that you need to cut out excess stressors that are unnecessary, or that you have a little extra time to chase a new dream, grab coffee with a friend or start a new project.
Oh, and don’t be afraid to carve out some time for leisure and relaxation on your own and with people you love because those are just as essential as your study sessions for your overall well-being!
5. Fuel yourself right to fulfill your purpose
Your sleeping patterns, dietary needs, hydration habits and physical activities are all connected to your energy levels, self-confidence and overall health. For the most part, you cannot lack in these areas and expect to excel in another.
Whether you are working for straight A’s this semester or striving to accomplish another goal, what you eat and how you exercise are crucial to a long and healthy life. Thus, next time you pull out a plate, choose to fill it with foods that will energize you for your 3 hour Chem lab. And when you step inside the gym next, remind yourself that exercise does more than make you “slim” or “toned”; you will sleep better, feel stronger, smile more and even possibly retain more information in your classes!
*Bonus tip: Prepare for imperfection
We are human. We are beautifully flawed. We set goals for ourselves and sometimes obstacles take us by surprise. Guess what? That is perfectly okay! If you try out any of these tips and something does not go as planned, just embrace your “mistake” and try your best to learn from it. As long as you are doing what you can do to become who you want to be, then there is nothing to worry about. The only person you have to answer to is the person looking back at you in the mirror, and it is up to you what you will see in the reflection. Take some time to appreciate who you are and remember to show yourself some love by making mindful choices and intentional actions.
In the Cirque Du Soleil of college life, the spotlight is on and the tight-rope of your remaining years in college lies ahead of you. The best part is that you are prepared to be the star of the show simply because you are you. You have the tips and the training to juggle it all, you just have to believe and take the first step. Have a great week, Collegiettes!