How to be busy in collegeâŠand survive
 Iâve always thrived by being a part of lots of different activities, and while college is no exception, balancing everything can definitely be a challenge sometimes! Hereâs some tips Iâve picked up while trying to make it work with school, multiple jobs, student government, and a long distance relationship.
Google calendar is your best friend.
Iâve tried all sorts of methods of organizing, but Google calendar is definitely my favorite. Itâs free to use and you can share your calendar with friends and co-workers so they can see when youâre free. You can even synch it up to the calendar app on your phone so youâll get reminders before events! As someone who usually never has the same daily or weekly schedule twice, this feature has seriously SAVED MY LIFE (or at least kept me from missing important meetings!)
Find a way of organizing and stick to it.
In addition to Google calendar, I also bullet journal and use the âremindersâ app on my phone. Whenever I get an assignment, I write down the due date on my calendar and journal and set a to-do item on the reminder app so I can start later that day. This system works best for me, but you should take time to figure out what works for you, whether it be bullet journaling, reminders on post-it notes, or a pre-made planner.
Aesthetics arenât everything
I know, I knowâŠas members of the Studyblr community, we are constantly surrounded by perfectly copied notes and meticulous mind maps. But sometimes you just donât have time to make everything look as pretty as it should. Sometimes I struggle with perfectionism and obsess over making things look aesthetically perfect, but I always have to remind myself that some things arenât worth stressing over. There is usually a point where I feel confident in my knowledge of the material without making flash cards for every term or revising my essay for a third time. The key here is to not sacrifice time for aesthetics once youâve reached that point.
Figure out what kind of schedule works for you!
At my university, there are classes that meet twice a week for 1.5 hours each and those that meet three times for an hour. I generally function best when I can really dive into material, so I try to take the longer classes whenever possible. Then I schedule work and meetings on campus throughout those days, which generally leaves me with 1-2 free or lowkey days every week. Because I know this kind of schedule doesnât fit everyoneâs lifestyle, figure out if you function best in the mornings or at night, with shorter or longer lecture times, or with a schedule that will have you going hard twice a week like me or has everything spaced out throughout. That said...
Bring your stuff with you!
This sounds like a no-brainer, but seriouslyâŠif there is any chance you will have some free time in between classes or activities, pack something to do. I normally bring my notebook and laptop with readings on it wherever I go so I can read a few pages when I have a chance. The more you get done during the day, the less youâll have to do when you get home. This is especially important if you live off campus and wonât necessarily have a chance to go home throughout the day.
If you travel, try to simplify your schedule (and take time for yourself!)
Because of student government and my relationship, I end up traveling quite a bit, which can unfortunately really mess up my routine sometimes. Be sure to get plenty of rest the week leading up to your trip (as well as while youâre there). I also try to finish as much homework as possible before I go, so I just have easy assignments to do (like reading) while Iâm there. If youâre really exhausted afterwards (and your schedule allows it), try to take a mental health day as soon as you get back. (This also works if you have an all day event or other really intense activity going on over the weekend so you can reclaim the rest youâd normally be able to get for the upcoming week)
Above all remember self-care
Take time for yourself. Seriously. Even if you have a million things going on at once, be sure to take a few minutes every day to clear your mind and practice self-care by taking a nap, watching Netflix, exercising, or hanging out with friends. Remember that everyoneâs ideal schedule is different, and donât force yourself to take on more than you can or want to. Believe me, saying no is HARD, but sometimes totally worth it for an extra few hours of sleep or a night out with friends. Remember that YOU are amazing, no matter what your life looks like! <3