Ahh, yes. Just by reading the title I’m sure you already feel the stress of the upcoming semester. Whether you’re in college or high school, the thought of having to begin another school year can be overwhelming.
Never to fear: I’m here to provide you guys with some tips & tricks to manage your time & anxiety better without too much stress.
Since -at least in the U.S.A.- most classes are being offered virtually, I’ve discovered that trying to remember homeworks and projects that you might have pending can be more difficult. We’re at our homes & can get easily distracted which -in turn- makes us fall behind in school/college.
Using an agenda to jot down all the things I have to do has helped me organize myself better in so many aspects of my life. I know, an agenda is so basic that it shouldn’t even be mentioned. Believe it or not, a lot of people tend to rely on their memory which, more often than not, can fail them.
Physically writing things down helps a lot of people remember what they need to do. It’s important to not underestimate how every day life can take up a lot of space in our mind.
Because of the whole covid-19 pandemic, not being in an actual school/college can make us easily lose track of time. I mean, just the other day I woke up at 7:50 a.m. for my 7:00 a.m. class. Alarms are useful tools that can remind us when we have to run errands, as well as take classes.
I suggest setting at least two alarms before each class:
1.) 10 minutes prior
2.) 5 minutes prior
By setting two alarms, you enable yourself the amount of time to clear your surroundings, set up your laptop, phone, paper & pencil just in time for whatever course you’re going to be taking at the moment.
If you have a class early in the morning, waking up on time is really important. When you’re late for a class, the adrenaline can put you on edge & put you in a stressful state of mind for the rest of the day. This is especially important for classes that are given at an ungodly hour: around 7 a.m.
To avoid having a frantic morning, make sure to go to bed no later than 9:30 p.m. to ensure you get plenty of rest so you can have enough energy to start the day off on the right foot.
TAKE BREAKS. Walking outside for a couple of minutes, going to the bathroom, watch an episode of your favorite show, etc… All of these things help you reset your mind and replenish your energies before moving on to your next task.
We depend on our electronic devices now more than ever which means our eyes & minds are going to become exhausted a lot quicker. Taking a breather & reading a book, cooking or even just spending time with family (in a responsible way) can really give you that extra push to keep on getting shit done.
Of course, this can become difficult if you’re a chronic procrastinator like me, which means you might have to time yourself and control how long your breaks are. Sometimes extensive breaks can be detrimental to productivity since there’s a thin line between these breathers & laziness.
As tempting as it may be, it’s crucial to avoid using electronic devices while you’re taking class. I’ve been there: it’s not easy to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons or Luigi’s Mansion while you’re listening to your professor talk about the syllabus for the semester lol.
Just because we’re taking class at home doesn’t mean that we should distract ourselves with things unrelated to class. Whenever I entertain myself while on a Zoom meeting, I end up missing vital information & end up feeling lost for the rest of the class. Not a good feeling.
To maintain your Zen during these stressful video calls, try lighting a candle and clearing your work space. A clean work space provides a clear area to think freely and aromatherapy is extremely comforting.
Also, always make sure your electronic devices have enough battery before your class lol.
As soon as your teachers/professors give you an assignment, try to do it immediately, starting with the easiest things leading up to the most difficult. By doing the less complicated projects first, you give yourself a sense of motivation since you will have a lot less on your plate and can focus on the more tedious tasks. Reading whatever lectures you have pending can take up a lot of time, so go at a pace you’re most comfortable with.
Although your education is important, remember to continue working on extra curricular activities that bring you joy and peace. Taking up hobbies that help you release stress and strengthen your talents or passions makes up an essential part of taking care of your mental health.
Take at least an hour a day to do things that make you happy. To be an accomplished professional doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be stressed 24/7.
I hope some of these simple tips help you enjoy this school year a lot more. Although the circumstances aren’t ideal, we can still make the best of life by living in the moment.
Stay safe, take care & wear a mask!
Good luck,
J xx
Drops of Honey 