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8 Hours of Work, 8 Hours of Rest... Yeah Right!
As the new semester begins, the onslaught of schoolwork, assignments, exams, and preparation begins anew. Simultaneously, you want to make time for work, parties, and hopefully, some sleep. How can you prepare for this?
Our student union offers 6+1 tips to help you balance the many responsibilities!
1. Make a List of Everything You Need to Do!
Write down everything you need to do on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, as well as one-time tasks that can already be planned. Include your expected exams, assignments, classes (which you really will attend this semester, right?), as well as how much you plan to work, exercise, and meet friends.
2. Assign a Time Slot to Each Task...
…and a deadline or specific time so you can see roughly how long each task will take. Make a preparation plan for your exams and assignments: plan how much time you’ll need for each and don’t forget to include revision time! Also, plan when and how many hours you’ll work. Make sure you leave time for 7-8 hours of sleep each day! 😉
3. Find a Good App for Your Phone!
Download an app that helps you organize, plan, and track your tasks. This could be a simple calendar or any planner app that suits your needs. It’s great if the app has widgets that make it even easier to keep track of your tasks. Enter all your tasks with dates and deadlines, set reminders for necessary tasks, and use the widgets to keep your to-do list always in sight.
4. Be Realistic and Flexible When Planning!
Be prepared for some tasks to take longer than planned and for unexpected events to disrupt your schedule. Allocate enough time for studying – because that is your primary task – but don’t forget about work. Even if your schedule seems chaotic now, you’ll likely find a job that fits your timetable. Click here to check out our current job listings.
5. Assign a Location to Each Activity!
This mainly applies to studying and writing assignments. Think about where you’ve been most productive before, where you’ve made the most progress. Recall whether you worked better alone or in company and what conditions made you least effective. Review your schedule and plan your locations accordingly, eliminating factors that could distract you from your tasks. For example, if you know you’re useless the day after a party, don’t plan to write 10 pages of your thesis then.
6. Don’t Leave Regular Exercise Out of Your Plan!
You don’t have to think about lifting 100 kg weights; it’s enough if you go for a half-hour run, drop by the gym, or even take a long walk every day. It might seem like this takes up space in your schedule, but believe me, it’s not just a cliché – exercise will make you much more efficient in your work and studies. Exercise outdoors helps clear your mind, organize your thoughts, and is perfect for reducing stress before exams. Your brain cells and stats exam will thank you for it, not to mention your calves. 😉
+1. Continuously Update Your Plan!
You’ve made a great plan, but don’t forget to update it daily with new programs or adjust it according to your progress on various projects.
