I think we have all struggled from time to time to complete an assignment because you just have so many to do. Now combine your coursework with extracurriculars, jobs, social life, family life, financial responsibility, sleeping, eating and taking care of yourself. After a while, it begins to feel as though 24 just isn’t enough hours in the day.

This is my final semester, it feels like the to-do just keeps growing. I spent my first three years at Elizabethtown working myself to death. I didn’t know how to manage my time, or my stress, and began to burnout and lose my motivation. 

I am by no means an expert, I still have a lot to learn about time and stress management. However, it may be helpful for newer students to learn from my mistakes. 

I always felt like I just had so much to do, I never knew where to start. I was able to create an allocation system which worked for me. I lay out all my tasks for the week in front of me, starting with what is due first, I then decide what is most important or easy to get out of the way. 

For example, if I have a take-home quiz due on Sunday and a three-page paper due on Friday, I will complete the quiz first. This will allow me to get it out of the way and not have to worry about additional tasks while writing my paper. Not only will it give me more room to focus without stress, it will allow me the opportunity to relax over the weekend, rather than work on a quiz. 

Sometimes this doesn’t work, especially if I’m lacking the motivation to do it. In moments like this I find myself getting distracted very easily. Whether it be going on my phone, moving onto a different task, picking up a book, singing along to the music, doodling in my notebook, calling my mom or honestly, just staring off into space, I get lost quickly. I have found that taking small breaks and a self-enforced rewards system helps me.

I like the Pomodoro Technique: work for 25 minutes, take a five minute break. I don’t personally use those exact intervals. Typically, I will set a timer for 30 minutes, then take a five minute break. Sometimes I’ll work for an hour with a ten minute break depending on the task. 

I will “reward” myself with longer breaks, typically untimed after X amount of time or X amount of tasks completed. Those breaks will usually consist of a few chapters of my current read, watching an episode of a television show or a video on YouTube, preparing and eating a meal or snack. I’ve also taken this time to change scenery. If I have spent most of the day working in my dorm, I will move to the Blue Bean and reward myself with a drink. Anything to prevent mental exhaustion. 

I have found that working too long on one task or subject in the same location makes things worse. It gets to the point where it feels like I might lose it if I read one more word about landmark supreme court cases or rewrite my thesis one more time. 

Breaks are not only helpful, but necessary. Without them, you will burn out before you even get started. I know a lot of people struggle with the mindset that time not spent being productive is a waste, but it’s not true. Rest is productive, it took me a little too long to come to terms with that.

Now rest can be taken a little too far. It can move away from fun, downtime, mental stimulation, and move into plain procrastination. Procrastination is such a common problem, putting off tasks until the last minute. You may think that is okay because you “work well/better under pressure,” but doing this will make your tasks rushed and prevent you from doing your best work. It is not just about the grade. It is about taking pride in your work, turning in your assignments happy with the final product. 

The phrase “C’s get degrees” has been around for a while. It is often used as justification for coasting. It is true: a 2.0 GPA is all that is required of most U.S. colleges and universities in order to receive a bachelor’s degree. However, take this phrase with a grain of salt. Take it to mean “do your best.” You can always improve, but if you gave an assignment, or an entire class,  all and ended with a C, don’t beat yourself up. 

Do what you can. Check in with your priorities and reallocate. If you are overwhelmed, or finding yourself being more stressed than productive, take a step back. College can be stressful, life is stressful, but it shouldn’t overtake your life.