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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Alberta chapter.

There are 24 hours, 1440 minutes, or 86 400 seconds in a day. I have decided to take half an hour, 30 minutes or 1800 seconds of that time to do things I don’t want to do. I set a timer and complete my list of tasks for a half hour straight, then I’m done and don’t have to worry about it again until the next day. For me, this half hour consists of various things:

  • Emails

  • Calling places to book appointments

  • Stretching

  • Cleaning

  • Putting away laundry

If you’re anything like me, these and many other tasks are probably the last thing you want to do. Thinking about them gives you a sense of dread as well as the urge to do anything else but accomplish those tasks. Your half hour can include anything from the list above or other things that either need to get done (emails, appointments, errands) or you feel you should or want to do in order to improve your sense-of-self and your environment (stretching, light cardio, tidying up your workspace).

 

You may be thinking right now: if I usually procrastinate these tasks then who’s to say that I won’t procrastinate the half hour? I try to reason with myself and say that if I can binge-watch a whole season of a show on Netflix in a day or two, then I can take the equivalent of one episode to get things done and feel like an accomplished adult. The great thing about this rule is that once you get started, sometimes the half hour becomes even longer without you realizing it.

 

This rule, though, doesn’t really apply to academic tasks. Instead, it applies to everyday things that we may feel too tired for after already completing homework or during study breaks. I can truthfully say that since implementing this rule in my life, I feel less stressed about non-academic factors and I feel like I have a better handle on my life.

 

Also, this method might not work for everyone. Some may prefer to complete one task from their list at a time in between study sessions or TV episodes. However, if you are like me and have a difficult time doing anything that makes you the slightest bit uncomfortable, or that requires more emotional effort than you think you can give, then this rule may help you in accomplishing daily tasks that would otherwise go untouched.

Maia de Borja

U Alberta '21

Maia (my-uh) is in her fourth year at the University of Alberta. She is working towards a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a major in English and minor in ESL. In her spare time you can find Maia studying with a chai latte close by, at the gym, at one of her three part time jobs,volunteering or exploring town with her boyfriend and friends (usually in the pursuit of good food!) You can follow her on Instagram at @maiadeborja
Robin is a senior student at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta. She is getting a Science Degree, with a Psychology major and a double minor in Sociology & Biology. Part-time jobs, full-time classes, various student groups and volunteering fill most of her time. Robin is the 2020/2021 President of Her Campus at UAlberta and served as the social media director for the 2018/2019 year!