Let’s be honest—you’ve done it, I’ve done it, we’ve all done it: procrastinate. In continuation of my previous post Sleep is Cool, I’m going to share some tips that helped me stay motivated and manage my time better last semester. Hopefully you’ll find them useful too.
Take care of yourself
I think it’s crucial to learn how to balance your life—this means getting your priorities straight while taking care of yourself mentally and physically. This will be different for everyone, but it all starts with being honest with yourself. For instance, are you overcommitted? There may be many clubs that you want to be part of, but it’s important to make time for yourself too. Be focused when you’re studying but relax when you’re not. Go for a walk. Sleep well. Treat yourself with ice cream.
In my last post I mentioned how procrastination is linked to the fear of rejection; it takes time to build confidence. Everyone has their own insecurities. Whenever I catch myself worrying, I remind myself to be patient. Remember, you cannot win every time, but you can learn from every attempt. Try your best, and have no regrets.
Check in on each other
Don’t be afraid to let your friends know that you’re concerned about them or that you’re stressed; they’ll really appreciate it. A genuine 5 to 10-minute heart-to-heart conversation about even really simple things can boost your morale and refresh your mind.
Stick to a routine
This is probably the most important life lesson I’ve learned since I started university. By the time my first mid-terms rolled around, my daily routine went out the window. I started eating meals at random times and sleeping at unruly hours. Coincidentally, I also became less motivated. Then one night as I munched on my fifth granola bar (instead of a real dinner), I realized that I needed to get my act together. It was as if someone flipped a switch in my head.
For finals season, I made sure to eat breakfast every morning and a proper dinner every night. I stuck to a studying schedule. I actually made a conscious effort to sleep at least 7 hours every night. High-school-me would’ve been horrified—how dare you sleep—but I know better now. In fact, for my finals, I did better and I felt better. Sticking to a routine won’t create miracles, but it will sure help a ton.
Don’t always talk about academics or grades
School should be a priority, but it doesn’t mean that it should dominate your conversations 24/7. Give yourself the freedom to have genuine conversations about your interests and emotions with the people around you. Whether it’s about sports, that awesome movie, that restaurant that you really want to go to, or your current hardships, I urge you to talk about it.
By transforming the culture around sleep, we can give students the incentive to prioritize it. Stop glamourizing unhealthy behaviours. It’s not impressive. You know what is impressive? Someone who gets decent grades, hangs out with their friends, participates in extracurricular activities, has a great attitude, and still finds the time to get a solid amount of sleep every night. Now that’s cool.
