We are experiencing unprecedented times as college students in 2020. Whether your classes are all online, hybrid, or still in-person, there are some major changes happening all around us.
It is important to learn how to pivot with the times and keep ourselves on track. How can we do that? How can we manage all of these changes we are facing and still keep up a solid GPA?
These are questions we are all asking ourselves. Remember that you are NOT alone in this. We will get through it! We will have a great year! We will stay happy and healthy! Speak it into existence my friends, but also listen to this advice that I have for you. From one college student to another.
Now more than ever it is vital to feel a sense of community. Keep in touch with friends and family that support you. There are people out there who want to see you succeed! Keep those people close. Also, connect with your professors and peers! These people are in the exact same boat as you. As our favorite childhood movie “High School Musical” once said, we’re all in this together.
Make your planner your best friend. It is hard to juggle all the assignments we are given. Trying to keep it all in our brains can have its faults. You may forget about that discussion post you were supposed to do because you spent the last hour on TikTok. It’s okay, we’ve all been there. If your school offers CircleIn, the workflow feature is A-MA-ZING to keep all of your assignments in one place.
By “find your groove” I mean set up a schedule! Get some consistency in your life. That could be waking up and going to sleep at a certain time, planning your meals, allocating time for exercise, or setting some time aside to chill. It is easy to spend all day at the computer working on assignments or just surfing the web. Taking some time to go outside or relax on the couch is good for the soul, and for your groove.
Have you ever heard that it takes about 21 days to make a habit? I’m not sure who said that first, probably Abraham Lincoln or something, but he was right. Making good habits is a great way to make the most out of your day. Find what study habits work best for you, keep your room tidy, call your Grandma (she misses you), take care of yourself! Developing all of these good habits over time will help you to have less couch potato days and more Abe Lincoln days. (More details on this subject are in our “10 Habits of a Successful College Student” post).
It may sound cliché but taking time for yourself is just as important as getting all your work done. As the title of this post suggests, life is all about balance. We can get so burnt out spending all our time on schoolwork. Rest, recovery, and reflection are essential parts of the progress towards a successful and happy life. This can come in many forms. It could be a whole day spent doing the things you love, outside of work, or even the little moments in between the chaos. Don’t forget to take care of yourself first because when the workday is done, if you’re not happy, what was it all for?
Being in college and working towards a degree is already a challenge in itself, but in the middle of a pandemic? Come on man! Can we catch a break?
Balance is key. Use these tactics to find a balance in your life. I may only have two cents to my name, but these tips have worked for me and I hope they work for you. If you get connected, get organized, find your groove, develop good habits, and take time for yourself, you can make it through!