4 TIPS TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH YOUR PLANNING

This article was written by a student writer from the Her Campus department at UC Berkeley.

For a student living away from their parents for the first time, college is truly the oyster to explore. From part-time jobs to make ends meet, choosing a major or minor, and getting involved in student life, there are so many ways to spend your time in college. It is very easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available for students to participate in. While it is normal for students to feel overwhelmed and stressed, not addressing this can lead to both mental and physical problems in the long term. I’ve heard several stories of students ending up in the hospital because they went too far during my time at UC Berkeley. To help you take charge of your college life, here are some things I’ve learned that help me stay organized.

1. Make a to-do list

While it may be considered one of the most commonly given pieces of advice, there is a reason for it. It works! Making a list of your daily tasks can help you remember what you need to do. I’ve invested in several organizational tools, and I’ve found lists to be the most efficient. That’s why I always fall back on making lists. As someone with ADHD, I’ve noticed that when I make a list, I end up finishing everything I need to do without even realizing it. It can also be useful to purchase a whiteboard so that you have a permanent place to refer to your list.

2. Take advantage of G Suite

Many people are unaware of the benefits that Google products offer. In addition to having your email and documents accessible from the same account, G-Suite has products such as Google Calendar which will help you plan your day and organize what you need to do. Not only can you plan your day with Google Calendar, but you can also add other people to calendar events you create, add a location or Zoom room, set up recurring events, and even color-code your events! Another useful tool that Gmail offers is labels. You can create as many as you want and label as many emails as you want. Plus, Google Drive folders can help you organize your documents, and you can share them with other people! Take advantage of G-Suite and discover what it has to offer. It can really help you save time and help you organize your online workspace.

3. Plan leisure activities and exercise!

It is important to organize your day and plan what you need to do. While organization can help you get a head start on what you need to do, maintaining a busy schedule can become repetitive and old quickly, especially if you don’t factor in time for relaxation and doing things you enjoy. want to to do. Your brain will quickly get tired of just prioritizing work-related activities and can cause you to be delayed at work due to burnout. So instead of planning everything you need to do, make time for the things you want to do enjoy do to be able to do the things you do need to do. Scheduling some relaxing time is crucial for your mental well-being, but it’s also important to enjoy what you’re doing, which leads to my final point.

4. Don’t continue with activities you don’t enjoy

Graduating with a degree is the number one reason students go to college. Therefore, students are told to prioritize their grades over everything else. Doing something you don’t enjoy will not only negatively impact your mental health, but it can also cause you to fall behind on assignments and be unable to concentrate during lectures because your energy is likely being spent on something that you’re not passionate about. Saying no is hard, especially for students who want to make the most of their short time, but saying no or recognizing when it’s time to take a step back is not only important for yourself, but it also helps build character to build.

With the short time you have to be a student, it is important to use your time and energy to take advantage of opportunities that can lead to a successful career or a good education. But it’s easier said than done. It’s important to stay organized, keep yourself motivated by taking breaks and recognizing when it’s time to take a step back so you can complete what you set out to do and not get caught in a vicious cycle that leads to you not getting anything done or constantly falling behind. .