It’s that time of the year again; where did the summer go? Here’s how to kick ass this semester and always!
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1) Do homework ahead of time
Life is a lot more enjoyable when you’re not drowning in homework and responsibilities. I recommend devoting at least one day a week to just doing homework with limited distractions. Read ahead in your syllabus and get done as much as you can; it sucks when you’re doing it but afterward, you’ll have a whole week to yourself!Â
2) Lay out your clothes the night before
No one likes rushing first thing in the morning; save yourself some time and lay out your clothes and everything else you need for the next day to make your morning easier, even if it’s just a little bit.
3) Have a written planner
College can get crazy busy, and without you even realizing it! Keep a written planner with all of your assignments and commitments so you know what you have coming up; doing this makes it so much easier to prioritize.
4) Disconnect to connectÂ
Take some time off of your phone. It’s okay to admit it, we’re addicted to our phones.   Recently, I’ve decided to turn off my phone completely and put it aside for at least an hour as well as keeping it put away while doing work. I’ve noticed that this helps me clear my head and allows me to engage in the present moment.
5) Get a group of friends for studying
Studying is so much fun with friends (okay… maybe not fun, but at least manageable). Get some friends together at least once a week to make the workload feel like less.
6) Eat healthy! My diet is the first thing to slip when I get stressed. That said, I make sure I eat three structured meals a day with healthy snacks in between. Even if I’m having a rough day, I know that I’m at least making an effort to take care of my body.
7) Relax
So many of us claim that we don’t have time to relax, but this is a huge sign that you NEED some free time. It’s important for your mental health to have a least an hour of free time a day. You will actually work more efficiently if you’ve had some time to relax. That being said, take at least an hour a day just for yourself!
8) Have a schedule (and stick to it) I know that I function best with structure. If you’re one of those people, make a consistent schedule for yourself that you know you can stick to; it’ll make you feel more organized and put together and will allow you to get into a routine.Â
9) Join extracurriculars (but don’t over do it)
I personally like to stay busy, so I’m very involved at my college. I love getting involved because I feel like it allows me to grow as a person and get to know the people I surround myself with.
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10) Take mini-breaks throughout the day
This goes along with making some free time for yourself. If you find yourself overwhelmed, just take a quick break… even if it’s just a quick walk around campus in between doing homework.
So here’s to a bomb ass semester! Â