If you’re like me, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day mess of waking up (late), booking it to class, trudging your way through homework, going to bed (again, late), and then doing it all again the next morning. It can be hard to find time to do things you actually enjoy while school is in session, especially when it gets closer to midterms and finals. Personally, I love my alone-time where I’m either reading, writing, or knitting, but it can be overwhelming to try and find even five minutes to myself during fall or spring. Over the years, I’ve developed a system—a way to get in my favorite pastimes even when everything is hectic. Don’t worry, I’m about to share it with you! Here are my top 3 recommendations for how to make more time for your hobbies.
- Make a schedule
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I know, I know: my Type A personality is showing through here, but hear me out! Hobbies are just like any other activity in your day—they require allotted time and an active effort to get them done. That’s not to say that you should think of your hobby as another task to check off on your to-do list. Instead, block off time in your planner, maybe 20-30 minutes a day, and just label it “Me Time.” During those few minutes, don’t allow yourself to book anything: no meetings, no homework, no job, none of that. That way, you’ll have at least 20-30 minutes dedicated to yourself every day, whether that’s for a hobby, chilling to music, or just taking a quick power nap.
- Use your “in-between” times
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By your “in-betweens,” I mean any time you have when you’re going from class to class and maybe you have an hour break. Or maybe when you’re catching the bus to campus in the morning or on the way home. Or even when you’re waiting for the professor to show up. Any of these could be an “in-between” time when you can scoop up a few minutes of your favorite hobby. For me, I have some time in between my classes, so I like to bring my knitting with me and listen to an audiobook while I’m working on my project. Multitasking—it’s great, right?
- Don’t overbook yourself
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This may be both the easiest and hardest tip on this list, but nevertheless, it is the simplest one. Don’t add too many things to your schedule! I speak from personal experience, running around campus for 17 hours worth of classes only to be at work or a club until 9:00 or 10:00pm every night before being able to even start your homework is nothing short of a nightmare, and you won’t have any time to set aside for yourself, especially if you’re wanting to try and maintain friendships and relationships on top of that. Set a realistic schedule for yourself, and make sure that you’re making time for the things that really matter: your friends, your family, and your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
I hope these tips and tricks help you find some time for yourself this fall, and if you have any hacks of your own, let us know!