By: Alyssa Uribe, SDSU Chapter Member
At this point in the semester, our days, weeks and months are a never-ending blur. We are desperately trying to get through each day and hope we are ready for the next. It is a never-ending cycle that bulldozes over us every week if we are not well-prepared. Anyone with a hectic schedule can relate to this. We are constantly caught up in our busy schedules and never set aside enough time to pause, reassess, and reorganize. Here are a few tips to help break the cycle.
Make a to-do list
To-do lists are key! We never realize how much we have to get done until we write it out on paper. I first suggest making a general list of what needs to be completed that week. This gives you an idea of
what to expect and how to prepare. Depending on what you prefer, you can make a list of tasks for each day or make an hourly schedule in your planner. Personally, I prefer to place boxes next to each task. It’s funny how simply checking off a box can give you a sense of accomplishment. The most important part about to-do lists is following through and completing them. There is no point in making them if we stray from our plan or choose to ignore it. In a sense, our list holds us accountable for our responsibilities. It’s okay to change your list if necessary, but try your best to stick to the plan. As you make to-do lists a weekly practice it becomes easier to implement and follow.
Organize As a new week begins we want to give ourselves a clean slate, literally and figuratively. As much as some may hate to clean, it is extremely important to your success. You can’t drag last weeks mess into a new week. Organizing can be a form of therapy; everything that occurred in the previous week is cleaned and left in the past. Clear your coffee mugs, sticky notes, highlighters, textbooks and tissues from your desk. Clean out your backpack, do your laundry, make your bed, dust your furniture, fix the shoes you threw in your closet. Organizing your room is the best start to organizing your life!
Meal prep During the week it is hard to eat well and make meals. When we are pressed for time, we go for fast food or an overpriced meal at school. An easy solution is meal prepping! Even if you're not much of a chef, you can always make something you are familiar with or look up some easy and exciting recipes. Think of this as a treat to yourself. We all love food and this is an opportunity to give yourself a little piece of happiness. It’s an amazing motivator to get through the day when you know you have a delicious lunch or dinner waiting for you. This method also allows you to save money! Instead of paying for unfulfilling fast food or snacks, you can save your cash. So, when you get an A on an exam or get through a tough week you can treat yourself to an acai bowl or fun lunch with friends.
Use your time wisely
Be proactive. One of the best ways to prepare for the coming week is getting ahead. If you find that you have an hour or two to spare, try reading a chapter in your textbook, getting ahead on online homework or taking notes on posted lecture slides. Being proactive with your studies is worth it when you aren’t stressed about the massive amounts of work you have to complete later in the week. If you are in need of a break from school, do something that feeds your soul. Allotting time to yourself can clear your mind and give you a positive attitude heading into a new week.We complain that we are always busy, but when we finally get time to ourselves we waste it. Instead of watching Netflix in bed, read a self-help book. Don’t use social media as a timewaster; instead, go for a run or do yoga. Find something that benefits you and makes you happy. Give purpose to everything you do.
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