Pressed For Time

Since when did being in college mean that you had no time for anything – not even homework.

Let’s face it, we’re in college and the struggle with trying to maintain homework, weekend assignments due at 11:55 p.m., your job (or two), being involved in an academic club or extracurricular, all while maintaining a social life has basically invited the grim reaper to put a stop to any time that you might have thought to be considered as ‘spare.’

So which priority should get the axe first, or even get the axe at all?

As a student, I’m going to tell you that indecisiveness is a virus that spreads from student to student and especially for someone like myself, who has so many things going on in life at once, I never really am sure which to make priority.  

Countless deadlines leave me wondering what happened to those nights where I’d stay up ‘til two a.m. just writing – for fun. Let’s face it, school can make life seem mundane or stressful, but I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be like that – not one bit.

Change your attitude, evolve your time.

One of the best things about life is that you have the power to change controllable factors, like attitude. First thing’s first, the way you perceive situations can alter the outcome. Don’t worry about the things that you can’t change like deadlines, due dates, and exams, instead, focus on your attitude toward them and think about just how much potential you have to completely knock it out of the park!

Allocate your time

Once you’re on the path to evolving, the next step is allocating. Get yourself a planner that not only breaks up the things you need to do by priority, but by 30 minute intervals. Delegate every 30 minutes throughout your day to something; don’t forget to include the times that you need a break, a breather, and some food. My life was in shambles for the first four weeks of the term, until I wrote things down. True story.

Choose a productive environment

If you’re anything like me, there are some places that I can just not be productive. Pick your top three most productive spots and utilize them; rotate through them so that you’re not constantly stuck in the same state of mind and place.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

One of the best remedies for relieving stress when you’re overwhelmed is to talk to someone. Trust me when I say that you are not alone in feeling pressured, overwhelmed, and even stressed. Take a break and talk to a peer, an advisor, or even someone in the wellness center. If you think that you may be struggling in a class, talk to a mentor in the learning center or library that can help you sort out the kinks, you got this!

Stretch your limbs

With finals just around the corner, you’ve made it this far through the term, so you deserve to take a little break. In between studying, take 5-10 minutes to regroup yourself; get up and stretch or go for a short walk to give your body and mind the break they deserve.

You may feel pressed for time when it comes to getting through your daily priorities, remember, you are not alone, it’s all going to be okay. You’re going to get through this even stronger than you started; when in doubt just breath. Remember, we’re all given the same 24 hours, how will you choose to utilize yours?

Story by Samantha Guy