Each week brings us a little closer to the end of the semester. The closer we get, the more assignments seem to be given. From my experience with the plethora of work that accompanies this time of year, it’s very easy to get lost.
I’ve found one way to make sure you don’t lose your head this time of year.
1. Make a list of everything that needs to get done
It’s so easy to get stressed or overwhelmed knowing how much work is still left. Sometimes you stress so much over one or two assignments that you completely forget about another.
I’ve learned the best way to combat this overload is by writing every assignment down that’s due. Personally, I have lists everywhere: in my agenda book, in notebooks and a whiteboard in my room. While having a long list of everything that needs to be done may be intimidating, having this list stare you in the face can help keep you motivated to get your work done.
2. Cross out assignments along the way
When you’ve finished an assignment, take the time to cross it off your list. By doing this, you can see how much you’ve gotten done versus how much is still left. Crossing out assignments along the way is a great motivator to keep you going.
As cheesy as it may sound, I find it liberating to cross off an assignment. Some assignments I have spent weeks working on. Being able to cross out that soul-sucking assignment is my way of symbolically leaving that chapter of my life behind me.
3. Schedule your work
Up until a few weeks ago I would work on an assignment until I would get bored with it or completely finish it. This meant I would sometimes spend all day on one assignment and still not get it done.
On a particularly stressful week, I ended up making a list of all the assignments I wanted to get done that day and how much time I would spend on that assignment. Somehow this simple change was able to help me finish all the upcoming assignment in a little over two days. If I hadn’t done that, it would probably have taken a week.
4. Give time for yourself
Last week I wrote about the power of 20 minutes. Spending 20 minutes a day just for yourself can dramatically increase mood, focus and overall wellbeing.
This time of the year, in particular, it is easy to forget about yourself. There’s so much that still needs to be done that you use all your energy on homework.
From my experience, I would burn-out on an assignment after about an hour-and-a-half. Any time spent on the assignment after that would be the equivalent of just reading words on a page and never comprehending any of it.
Taking time between assignments and, either at the beginning or end of the day, doing whatever makes you happy helps keep your mood and energy up during this stressful time of the year. Plus, it gives you something to look forward to when you’re stuck doing a boring assignment.