The life of a university student is incredibly busy. Class schedules are strenuous, you must tackle mountains of homework in order to achieve academic success, and it is important to network with professors and participate in extracurricular activities. Many of you have jobs, as well. It is challenging to create time for yourself, but it is necessary that you do so, and this article will tell you how!
1. Study Efficiently
The first step is to reduce the time you spend studying and completing assignments as much as possible, without compromising the quality of your work. Ask questions in class and utilize professor office hours to avoid falling behind. Course Hero is another great resource. What is Course Hero? It is a crowdsourced online learning platform designed specifically for university students. It offers study resources, 24/7 homework help, and opportunities to network with other students. You can learn time management and organizational skills that you might not have thought of, and then you can feel great about sharing your own tips with others!
2. Do What You Love
There are a lot of tips floating around out there for how best to spend the time you set aside for yourself. The trick is to try a lot of them, and then focus on the ones that you actively enjoy, and that leave you feeling rested, refreshed, and fulfilled! "You Time" is not one size fits all. Do not waste your precious "You Time" doing that feels like one more tedious obligation, even if your friends enjoy it. Not sure what to try first? Click here for a great Pinterest board full of ideas!
3. To Socialize, Or Not To Socialize?
Sometimes, especially if you are more of a social butterfly, the most rewarding "You Time" includes activities that involve others. Seek out friends who enjoy the same types of activities as you do. Seek out friends who will not pressure you to engage in activities that feel unhealthy or unfulfilling to you. Seek out friends who make you laugh, and who you really enjoy your conversations with. Avoid friends who pull you into drama that leaves you feeling exhausted. Other times, "You Time" requires the peace and quiet of solitude. Be firm with your friends when you know this is what you really need. Choose solo activities that are safe for you to do alone, and always make sure someone knows where you are. Choosing your friends and your level of socialization wisely ensures that the little bit of "You Time" you do have goes a long way!
4. Have an Accountability Buddy
Once you have carefully selected your social circle after reading the last section, pick one of those people to be an accountability buddy. Pick someone who has goals similar to your own. Set a rough date and time to check in with him or her weekly, monthly, or whatever works for you both. Use this time to celebrate victories and plan how to make improvements in your time management endeavors.
5. Make To-Do Lists and Keep Current Calendars
Whether you enlist the aide of modern technology, or dig the old school pen and paper, to-do lists and calendars are musts! They help you avoid the hassle of rescheduling when you accidentally overlap appointments. They help you avoid making unnecessary multiple trips because you forgot something, or because you made back-to-back appointments at the opposite ends of campus or town. It gives you the opportunity to actually set times and dates for "You Time" so that you do not neglect it.
Follow these five easy suggestions consistently, and you will find that you have more time for yourself! You will also use that time more wisely, giving you more energy and motivation to succeed in school and other obligations!
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