There’s a reason they call it the best 4 years of your life. I mean, college is an exciting time! You’ve got a new home, new faces, and plenty to do.
That being said, it can sometimes be a struggle deciding how to manage your time to make the most of the time you do have. I’ve got some tips you all can use that helped me to make the most of my college experience.
Tip #1: Plan it out.
A big change from high school (that becomes apparent wayyyy too soon) is the academic responsibility. Gone are the days of daily reminders from teachers to work on that project due in 3 weeks.
Got a big test coming up? You probably won’t hear about it until the day before. How about that paper that was due at midnight? Your professor’s assuming you’ve already uploaded it to Turnitin. In college, it can be all too easy to miss deadlines or be surprised by quizzes that were only mentioned in tiny print somewhere on the syllabus handed out at the start of the semester.
The best way to keep track of it all? Make a planner! Whether it’s an app on your phone or a basic notebook, find a method that works best for you to help you stay on top of what’s going on in class. At the end of the day, we’re all here paying thousands of dollars to learn the material that will drive our future success– be sure to do it right!
Tip #2: Establish a routine.
So you’ve finally escaped from the clutches of curfew and parental control.
However, as tempting as it may be to just be like “LOL f**k it YOLO,” you may want to consider establishing some form of routine for yourself (at least for the weekdays). Otherwise, you may find your GPA paying the price later on. Set aside some time for working out and studying- perhaps you can pencil it in in your brand new planner 😉
Tip #3: Take a break.
You’ve been studying for hours. Your eyes drift aimlessly across the same sentence again and again, the pounding headache preventing you from absorbing a single word more.
One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given in regards to studying was to pace myself. Whether it’s last minute cramming for an exam or trying to dig through a mountain of work, taking a break can be the last thing you’d feel like doing. However, allowing yourself to step away from working can go a long way in keeping your mind sharp, even if just for a few minutes.
Think about it as if you were doing a workout. Yes, you could try and force yourself to power through exercise after exercise with no rest whatsoever, but do you really think you’ll still be performing at your best after the third or fourth exercise? Next time you find yourself needing to buckle down, force yourself to take that break every so often, even if you feel like you don’t need it; your brain will thank you!
Tip #4: Find your passion.
College is truly a special time; after all, when else will you be surrounded by so many resources and opportunities to express your interests or discover new ones? From clubs to local events in the surrounding area, there’s a lot of different ways to both participate in the things you enjoy and meet others who share that passion. Yes, academics are definitely important. However, it shouldn’t be the entire focus of your college experience; it’s a time to grow as a person, a process that includes exploring what makes you happy and finding healthy outlets to destress.
Want more college survival tips? Check out these articles below:
- What You Need To Know Before Starting College
- 8 Important Lessons on Wellness from My Freshman Year
- 10 Tips to Maintaining Your Sanity During Finals
- 13 Easy Tips To Stay Fit In College