Jordan Hearring, Life Editor

With midterms approaching, it can be stressful to manage one’s time efficiently while maintaining self care. You might step back finding yourself with five tests to study for and three papers to write, and you’re already on your third cup of coffee lacking the motivation to continue. Burnout is real and it comes on quickly. Here are some ways you can manage your time and take care of yourself when things start to get hectic. 

Take a break. It seems obvious to say, but taking one 15 minute break every hour can help your brain reset and relax in the midst of intense work and studying. Get up, take a walk, close your eyes and breathe or just put everything away for a few minutes. It leads to more efficient studying and your brain will appreciate you for it. 

Put away any distractions. You might catch yourself glancing at your phone in the middle of writing a sentence or trying to retain information, but this can actually be a setback. Turn off your phone or any electronics you aren’t using and find a quiet place to work in to allow your full attention to be on what you need to get done. 

Utilize a planner. This cannot be stressed enough. Using a planner, especially when you find yourself busier than normal, can help you feel more organized and less stressed out. Everything you need to do is all in one place, and you can find some free time in between studying and class to take care of yourself.

Sleep at least six to eight hours a night. Every person is different as far as requirements for sleep, but most people get six to eight hours to have a productive and energized day. Don’t let your sleep schedule go out of balance for a few extra hours of studying, and studying tired is unproductive and can be harmful to your well being. Take a nap, if you must! 

Do not multitask. If you can help it, avoid multitasking at all costs. This can throw your brain into overdrive and you will tire much faster than if you had just focused on one particular task. Focus on one thing at a time and you will get everything done much faster this way. 

Say ‘no’ if needed. If you know you have a big test to study for or a massive paper to write, going out with friends will just lead to more stress and a smaller increment of time to prepare yourself and get it done. You can always find another time to spend going out, but be sure that you are prioritizing your work to avoid potential all-nighters and throwing yourself off of your routine. 

Prioritize properly. If you have a huge test to take on Wednesday and a paper due on Sunday, you should probably study for the test. During your breaks, you could do some research for the paper or review the rubric or outline, but be sure you are prioritizing your tasks accordingly. Failing to do so may lead to additional unnecessary stress. 

Take some time for self care. Managing your time and being productive goes in conjunction with taking care of yourself; taking a warm bath or a nap, meditating, going for a drive or doing something that can ease your brain and make you feel good about yourself so you can be productive and energized for your work and study. It’s hard to be productive when you’re falling asleep at your workstation.

College students already have a lot on their plates without the stress of midterms and massive assignments, especially when a routine and good time management is not in place. With these tips, maintaining a good mindset and healthy work habits won’t be so much of a challenge and after a while may become second nature.

Categories: Life