Keeping Up With the Rigors of College

We all know that college continuously gets tougher, even though it can have its calm moments. Below are some tips and pointers to help you keep up with the complicated issues and work loads you'll face.

Stay organized:

Staying organized will help you feel less cluttered.

Color coordination is always a great way so visually see your organization. Assign each course a color, and coordinate your notebooks, folders, and other supplies accordingly. When

taking notes, be sure that they are as neat as possible so that they make sense when you return to them at any given time. When it comes to hard copies, only keep what you need. Keep these papers neat and organized as well.

Make a Plan:

Plan out your week on Friday, before your weekend starts, or Sunday when preparing for your work week. While planning

your week, account for work time and extracurricular activities. An easy way to stay on top of your planning is to plan your assignments as you get them. Know when you want to start, what days you will work on them, and what day you would like to finish. It is a good habit to finish assignments two or three days ahead of the due date. This way you can get feedback and make any last minute adjustments without feeling pressured or overwhelmed.

Study:

Know that studying for each class is essential. Set aside double the amount of time you spend in each class for study time.

When studying, it is okay to take breaks; try a 45/15--45 minutes of concentrated studying, with a 15 minute break to stretch, grab a snack, or whatever you have to do. This will give you something to look forward to and allow your brain to have a well-earned break.

Formulate a study group with peers in your class or those in your major that are taking similar courses. Having peer groups allows you to learn differently, pick up on skills from others, and practice what you know by explaining it to others. While working with peers, it also gives you the chance to hold each other accountable for meet-ups, course work, and more. Forming a peer network is also essential to your work outside of the classroom. No matter how big or small, a network is a network.

Rest:

Remember that if you are not well mentally, you will not be well physically. Taking time to rest will allow you to work more diligently and gain knowledge without strain. Set aside this time to do nothing and think about nothing, including your courses and upcoming assignments. If only five minutes a day works for you, be sure to use those five minutes. Here are some ways to help you rest and recharge during these moments:

• Light Candles

• Get a Massage

• Deep Breathing

• Self-Maintenance

• Read a Good Book

• Spend Time in Nature

• Listen to Running Water

• Read Poetry or Inspiring Quotes