Whether you take extra classes and work two jobs or just have one class this semester, it can be easy to get overwhelmed as things start piling up. If you’re starting to find that you don’t have enough time for yourself, here are some tips to free up a couple of minutes here and there.
Whether it’s 5 minutes or 55, you can take this time to multitask and get some work done. An easy way to do this is by listening to any readings you need to get done. If you have access to an audiobook version of a reading, you can use that, or you can try a text-to-speech converter for any other readings.
2. Plan when you’ll get things done ahead of time
Laying out your week before it starts is a great way to ensure you don’t get stuck with a bunch of assignments on a day you don’t have time to do them. Looking at your schedule ahead of time makes it easy to figure out when you should do your work based on when you have the free time to do it.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Remember, no matter how important your work seems, you are more important. If you’re really struggling to get things done and there’s no way to decrease your workload, reach out for help. Your professors may be able to give you an extension on that big assignment, or you may even be able to take a day off if necessary. If you’re not doing well, your quality of work will suffer too.
4. Build breaks into your schedule
When looking at a busy day, it can be easy to treat it like a puzzle, fitting little assignments in here and there. However, it’s important to make sure you take time for yourself. Don’t forget to do the basic things, like eating and sleeping. If you’re super busy, it can be helpful to actually put these sorts of things into your schedule so you don’t mistake the open slot for free time and schedule a meeting then.
5. Keep pending tasks where you can see them
It can be easy to forget about projects that are up in the air if they’re not always in your face. Pick a place, whether it be in your planner, or a wall of sticky notes, and write down everything that comes your way that doesn’t have a set due date yet, or even if it does but you’re waiting on someone else to do their part first. If you receive an email or text that requires you to do something at a later date, mark the email as unread or pin the text thread so that it’s always there when you’re on your phone or computer as a helpful reminder.
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Everyone has their limits; if you need to step back from some things, that’s okay! Otherwise, keep on pushing forward. You got this!