Surviving college is tough. There is a constant struggle of balancing everything you have to get done on a daily basis, eating healthy, working out, club meetings, completing assignments and being social. That is why I am so glad I have someone to share this experience with, my bestfriend, my planner.
Here are some things that I have learned throughout my first year of college and how a planner made everything so much easier:
1.WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN!
This is number one for a reason. Yes you are smart and have an amazing brain, but it is impossible to remember everything. Something so simple like when you need to do laundry, what time the football game is this weekend,or if you need to run out and grab something from the store, should all be written in your planner. Even the smallest things can help you to make sure your week runs smoother and you can get everything done on time.
2. Cross things off when you complete them
It is a huge stress relief. After spending an hour struggling through reading your boring history textbook, crossing that off in your planner will give you that little boost to get through the next assignment. Plus, you will feel and will be super accomplished when everything is completed.
3. Fill in important dates as soon as you get them
Syllabus day might be a shortened day of class but as soon as you get back to your dorm write down all the important due dates so you are not shocked when they creep up. Professors have a tendency not to repeat things that are listed in the syllabus. Club meetings always have to work their way into your day so write them down! Also, my athletes, as soon as you have practice and game schedules write them in. You know times are subject to change constantly but having everything that you know down as a baseline is key. You have even more responsibilities so do your best to help yourselves out!
4. Write things down in colored pens
Opening up your book to tons and tons of assignments written in black pen will make you want to close it right back up and take a nap, but we can’t have that! Get some fun pens and highlighters, anything to spice it up and keep you motivated. If you want to you can even write yourself motivational quotes in the margins.
5. See the end goal
You don’t want to be stuck staying in on a Friday night writing an essay because you let it go until the last minute. Set yourself deadlines and stick to them.Hold yourself accountable to get the most out of your college experience. Spend your free time how you want to spend it, not cramming in assignments!
6. It lays out your whole day
Don’t get it twisted, this is not a bad thing. You will know if you have a paper due Thursday morning if you work things out accordingly. You will have plenty of time to write the paper and stay up late hanging out with your friends Wednesday night instead of cramming the night before and missing out on social time.
Side note:
One thing I have realized is get your work done during the day. Weather things are planned or not, something fun always comes up at night and you don’t want to miss out on it. The day is just meant to be productive and the night is your free time to spend it how you want to.
7. Everything is in one place
I always carry my planner with me pretty much everywhere I go. Need to know if you can go on a girls trip next month? Check it out and write it down. Appointments, meetings, assignments, practices, all your activities are all in one place at your fingertips .
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So go to the store and buy yourself a cute planner and get writing!
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