Written by Jenna McConnell

Thumbnail and Banner Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Do you feel so busy on a daily basis that you can’t prioritize your personal needs? Take a deep breath, grab a cup of tea or coffee, and let’s dive into ways to prioritize yourself. It is true that during the academic year, students can find themselves swamped. Many are enrolled in a full course load and working part-time or full-time jobs to pay for tuition and other expenses. Some may even live in residence or their own apartment and may require multiple jobs to make ends meet. Others may be mature students who have families to take care of on top of schoolwork. All of this leaves very little time to relax and recharge and can make for a very stressful state of living. There are things that students can do to combat this feeling. Below are a few suggestions that students can try to stay sane when it feels like all there is time for is work.

Write Breaks Into Your Daily Schedule

Sometimes, implementing time for breaks throughout the day into your schedule is the way to go. Whether it be a short break to watch an episode of your favourite show or a longer one to go on a walk or see a friend, it will create a sense of productivity even during your personal time. Blocking off an hour or two throughout the day to do something you enjoy will be beneficial in the long run, helping prevent burnout and letting students accomplish more during the time they devote to studying! Giving yourself time to recharge and absorb the information you learned or to decompress after a long, hard shift will make the return to productivity easier. Also, consider giving these breaks a set time limit to avoid distraction and falling behind. Doing things with a set end point, such as watching a movie or reading a chapter or two of a novel, will help you know when it is time to stop. You will return to studying or other tasks better instead of getting trapped in the inevitable social media scroll and procrastinating.

Take An Occasional Day Off

Occasionally, taking an entire day to yourself is another great way to rest and recharge during the busy school year. Do what you like, whether painting, hitting the gym, or spending time with friends or family. Spending one day doing what you choose will immensely improve your mood. While this may not frequently be possible with deadlines and work schedules, finding a day every one or two weeks to do something fun will help students enjoy themselves and come back to their schoolwork energized and ready to do their best.

Start Studying Earlier In The Day

Students who are juggling school, work, and other commitments are no strangers to long and late nights spent at their desks or in the libraries studying. These times are never fun and can lead to very little sleep and a whole lot of stress. It does help keep on top of assignments and is sometimes inevitable due to late working hours. However, the toll it takes on mental health is problematic. As mentioned in my last article, sleep deprivation causes many psychological and physical symptoms that prevent students from doing their best. Taking the time to get everything done earlier in the day can prevent this from occurring. Starting with studies in the morning will help students complete everything they need that day before nightfall, allowing them to take advantage of their biological prime-time where they are most alert. This will also allow them to get the adequate sleep required to thrive. Who knows, this could potentially even free up evenings to spend with family and do fun activities instead!

Try A New Hobby

Students may find trying something new to fill their free time a fun way to take their minds off their busy schedules. Whether it be learning to play a new instrument, reading a new book, or trying out a new workout at the gym, picking up a new hobby is always fun. It’s a great way to make friends, learn a new skill, and have fun while doing it! While this may seem like just another chore to add to the list of things to go to throughout the week, it is definitely worth it if you enjoy it.

Join A Society

Joining one of Saint Mary’s multitude of societies is another fantastic way to get out and have fun. It is usually very low commitment, meeting only a few times a week. You can meet like-minded people of similar age and potentially make some lifelong friends! There are societies for every kind of student imaginable, so it will not be hard to find the perfect one to fit your schedule and personality. It is very convenient for those who are living in residence and may not have many opportunities to get out otherwise.

Prioritize Yourself

When you have a seemingly endless to-do list, you may feel pressure to get everything done as soon as possible. While this does sound nice, it is not feasible. Knowing yourself and your own limitations is vital to staying mentally strong when the going gets tough. It’s okay to say no sometimes, whether that be to a party or an extra shift at work. Making your own needs a priority and taking those breaks when you feel you need them is never selfish. It will help you give more energy and time to your projects and commitments when you are ready to return to them.

The school year is a hectic time for us all. Everyone has their own unique schedule, and it isn’t uncommon to find very little time to relax between it all. However, if we put these practices in place early on, we can create good habits and facilitate a healthy balance between work and personal life. Students will be much happier, which will be reflected in their academic and career performance. Overall, making time for fun, while tricky at times, is very valuable and beneficial for everyone. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Finding “Me time” is like milk in a coffee, even a little changes a lot, and time for yourself is precious.

Finding Time for You: A Guide to “Me Time”