For a student living away from their parents for the first time, university is truly their oyster to explore. From part-time jobs to make ends meet, picking a major(s) or minor, and getting involved in student life, there are so many ways to spend your time in college. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed with the vast number of options available for college students to partake in. While it’s normal for college students to feel overwhelmed and stressed, not addressing it can lead to both mental and physical problems down the road. I’ve heard of several stories of students ending up in the hospital from pushing themselves too far during my time at UC Berkeley. To help stay on-top of your college life, here are some things I’ve learned that help me stay organized.
1. Make a To-Do List
While it could be considered one of the most over-given pieces of advice, there is a reason for it. It works! Making a list of your daily to-do’s will help you remember what you need to do. I’ve invested in several organization tools, and I’ve found lists to be the most efficient which is why I always fall back on making lists. As someone with ADHD, I’ve noticed that anytime I make a list, I end up finishing everything I need to do without realizing it. It can also be helpful to get a whiteboard, so you have a permanent place to refer to your list.
2. Take Advantage of G-Suite
Many people don’t know about the advantages Google products offer. In addition to having your email and documents accessible on the same account, G-Suite has products like Google Calendar that can help you schedule your day and organize what you need to do. Not only can you schedule your day with Google Calendar, but you can also add other people to calendar events you create, add a location or Zoom room, set up recurring events, and even color code your events! Another useful tool Gmail offers is labels. You can create as many as you want and label as many emails as you want. Additionally, Google Drive folders can help you organize your documents, and you can share them with other people! Take advantage of G-Suite and explore what it has to offer. It can really help you save time and help you organize your online workspace.
3. Schedule in Leisure Activities and Exercise!
Organizing your day and planning out what you need to do is important. While organization can help you get a head start on what you need to do, keeping up with a busy schedule can get repetitive and old fast, especially if you don’t factor in time for relaxation and to do things you want to do. Your brain will quickly get tired of solely prioritizing work-related activities and could lead to you falling behind on work due to burnout. So instead of planning out everything that you need to do, you should also block out time for things that you enjoy doing to be able to do the things you need to do. Planning for chill time is crucial to your mental wellbeing, but it’s also important to enjoy what you’re doing, which leads to my last point.
4. Don’t Continue Activities You Don’t Enjoy Doing
Graduating with a degree is the main reason students go to college, which is why college students are told to prioritize their grades over anything else. Doing something you don’t like will not only negatively impact your mental health, but it can also cause you to fall behind on assignments and unable to focus during lectures as your energy will likely be spent on doing something you’re not passionate about. Saying no is hard, especially for college students aiming to make the most of their short time, but saying no or recognizing when it’s time to step back is not only important for yourself, but it also helps to build character.
With the short amount of time you have to be a college student, it’s important to utilize your time and energy in taking advantage of opportunities that can lead to a successful career or a good grad school. But it’s easier said than done. It’s important to stay organized, keep yourself motivated by taking breaks, and acknowledging when it’s time to take a step back so you can complete what you set out to do and not fall into a vicious cycle that leads to getting nothing done or constantly falling behind.