If you’re a student, you probably know how tough November is. During the fall semester of university, November is the month that doesn’t have any breaks from school, such as reading week or Thanksgiving. Many assignments and projects are due during this month, which can cause stress to start building up. On top of all the assignments you have to complete, it is also the month where you may start studying for exams. You may feel overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done during this stressful month, but eventually, it will pass. Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate your way through “No-Break November.”
Manage Your Time Effectively Using Time Management Resources
One of the easiest ways to start figuring out how you’re going to manage November as a student is by managing your time. You can use tools such as calendars and sticky notes to start tracking when your important assignments are due. This way you will be aware of the assignment ahead of time and feel confident in the amount of time that you have to complete it. You can also use the “reminders” app on your phone if you have one. Start to add your assignments to the app and make sure that when you’re getting close to the due date it reminds you frequently. This ensures that you won’t forget your task even though you may have 20 other things going on. In terms of starting to study for exams, you can make schedules for your day and slot in the time you want to dedicate to studying. It’s always a great idea to get a head start on studying for your exams, and by doing this, you’ll know that you had some valuable time to begin preparing.
Make To-Do Lists
To-do lists have always been an effective method to help sort out your tasks. You can use a piece of paper, a whiteboard or sticky notes to write out your to-do list. I prefer to use a small whiteboard to make my to-do lists because you can easily erase and rewrite your tasks. I make a section for each of my classes, then write down one or two things to do for that class per day. After they’re done I check off the task or erase it. This method helps to sort out your tasks and prioritize what is most important or what needs to be done first. Using coloured markers or pens can also help to colour-coordinate your tasks by class or priority and make your to-do list neat! This can motivate you to get more done.
Maintain Good Physical Health
It is always important, even during the other eleven months of the year, to maintain good physical health. In November, this can seem tough, but some of the easiest ways to do this are quite simple. First, it’s always important to make sure you’re getting a consistent amount of sleep. This can help decrease your stress levels and will also make sure that you don’t wake up feeling tired and unmotivated. Getting consistent sleep will help you battle through the stress and keep you going. It’s also important for you to watch what you’re eating and fuel yourself with healthy foods. Good food keeps your energy levels up and allows you to be more alert. Lastly, making sure that you’re getting exercise is always great as it helps you take your mind off of your schoolwork for a little while. Maybe you go to the gym and get a workout in or just go for a walk. Either is fine!
If you combine all these habits, you’ll be able to get through the stress of November. November is tough, every student knows it, but all the assignments and studying will be behind you before you know it. It’s a stressful month, but by managing your time and scheduling your days, as well as making sure that your mind and body are both healthy, these tips will make November feel like a walk in the park. Once you get through November and all of your exams, the holidays and New Years will wipe all the stress away. All you have to do is keep going. You got this!