Freshman year is a roller coaster ride of twists, turns and turbulence. As you navigate this new chapter in your life, it is important to implement some habits and structures to help you succeed in the world of college. Here are five life mottos that I live by to help me stay focused and on track throughout this crazy trip.
1. A consistent routine creates balance
I found that the easiest chain of command for structuring a routine is: lectures, deadlines, meetings, goals.
In terms of priority, attendance is mandatory for lectures, and your lectures create the framework for how much time outside of class should be allotted for each course. Then, it is important to finish your coursework within a reasonable time in regard to your deadlines. Even keeping up just one day ahead of when your coursework is due is a strong idea.
Your meetings for different organizations and offices on campus should be scheduled during convenient hours that are before or after classes. These are implemented much later in the chain of command because meeting times are usually more flexible and negotiable than lecture times and coursework deadlines.
Lastly, your weekly goals are targets and priorities that can be completed throughout the week. Once you know how much of your time to contribute to lectures, deadlines and meetings, you will then be able to prioritize the time spent striving toward other personal goals.
I have found that this chain of command has helped me sort out my priorities and has kept me in charge of what is going on in my life. Knowing exactly what you will be doing each and every day mitigates the hustle and bustle of college life.
2. You can’t be surprised if you know what’s coming
No more surprises! Effective planning manifests in stability and leads to more clear expectations for your day. If you hate planners like I do, buy sticky notes in your favorite color and place little reminders on your mirror.
My favorite apps for planning are Notion and Structured. Notion allows you to categorize events and deadlines by priority, which is my favorite quirk about Notion. Structured uses a color-coding system for your agenda, which helps me visually imagine my expectations for the day.
I have found that setting up a weekly plan each Sunday outlining due dates, meetings and work schedule relieves some of the anxiety I experience at the beginning of the week. Another key to planning for homework or large projects is to complete one part, one question or one activity the day you receive the assignment. This will help you measure how long it will actually take to complete the assignment and relieve some of the procrastination stressors you will start to experience as deadlines approach.
3. A clean space reflects a clear mind
The first few months in a new place without your parents may sound like a dream come true. It will be nice to finally make your own decisions and see the world for yourself, but there was one thing that your parents were always right about: Keep your space clean, especially if you live with a roommate.
You should do your laundry, sweep the floors, organize your belongings and clean your bathroom once a week. Also, remember to wash your bed sheets every one or two weeks depending on your daily habits. I have found that it is easier to do laundry in on-campus housing on weekend nights or anytime the city of Oxford is busy.
Sundays are a good day to rejuvenate, reflect and declutter your room. Amazon and Walmart have storage bins, storage trays and many other tools that help organize your space. Utilize these tools to compartmentalize your belongings as you transition into your home away from home.
4. We are miraculous, but sometimes we cannot do it all
Among these tips, I feel that this realization is the most simple idea, yet it is the hardest strategy to implement. You have to learn how and when to say no.
At times, the best way to keep yourself organized is to avoid overwhelming yourself with last-minute plans or meetings. At the moment, committing to last-minute plans may seem expedient.
However, this commitment, more often than not, will cost you the opportunity to remain on schedule and often will bleed into other commitments for which you already are prepared.
Saying no in these instances is all about respecting your time and goals.
5. Free time isn’t always free
The most uncomfortable transition from high school to college is changing from an eight-hours-per-day schedule to a self-made schedule with embedded breaks. On that note, it is so tempting to fall into the trap of overly embracing your times of leisure.
Rest and leisure are vital aspects of a healthy college experience. However, it is imperative to understand how to utilize your free time correctly to stay on top of your schedule. No matter how you spend your free time, always ensure that there is not a demand for coursework or other priorities.
