The following blog post is not something I usually write, but intended to help my fellow readers and close friends who always ask me how I get everything done and where I find the time to do it all:
I recently spoke with a friend who had been completely stressed with what life had decided to drop on her plate. She began to explain her problems having a full time job, attending school, social life, family, making sure her boyfriend wasn’t neglected in the process, and anything else that had been thrown her way recently. I began to immediately relate and think back about all the times I had exactly the same problem. I began to give her advice about learning how to say “Sorry, I can’t make it” or “No” when it is absolutely necessary. Recently I have found myself falling into the same pattern as I had decided to take on so many tasks and in the end found myself not content with the amount of time I had to myself or what I was prioritizing. So I take a breath and go back to my organizational drawing board.
It becomes hard when you have so many things to do and never enough time to do it. Of course we all want to make every event, because we probably don’t want to miss out on the opportunity or we don’t want to let someone down. Although, when you become tired and you find yourself deciding whether your sleep is less important than the fifth social event you might attend that week, it is time to take a step back. Which is always the worst part for me specifically, because then I have to decide what comes first. Of course I know that school and work should take a priority in almost everything I do, but when it has been a while since you’ve seen your friends and you wouldn’t mind going out to that one networking event, your priorities become an option. Meaning, you start to find out where you are going to squeeze in work and school around the event rather than declining the invitation or leaving early and/or arriving late. This usually means the quality of work you put forth is not as great as you know you could have done and in the end leaves you dissatisfied.
I have worked on this by looking around and seeing what is most important. The key to all of my problems is usually organization. When school is in session it takes more of your time than when you only have to work during the summer. This means you have to make a list and say ok, this is what needs to get done. Then decide where you are going to fit all of the social events in after work and school are accomplished. (Don’t forget the time you need to get ready, eat, and rest. Most people forget these three important details.) After you have laid everything all out on the table and decided what is going to be done at what times, look at your list and see if you can shrink down any of it into a smaller time frame. What about spending more time on homework a specific day so that you don’t have to work on it another day so you give yourself some time to relax. (There should always be at least one day of time to yourself.) Or if you and your significant other usually go out to dinner and a movie, spend some of your time at your/their place and watch a movie and fix dinner there. You can both get some study time done [hopefully 
] and spend time with each other. And if you need to, say no to a few social events each week. You can’t attend them all and no one expects you to be in three places at once. (How you can respond to these in a positive and appreciative manner I will discuss in maybe a future blog post.)
Without making this too long, those are just some of my tips in the whole scheduling and organizing process. Once you find yourself getting on a schedule and making sure you stick to it, the work flow usually comes naturally and you find yourself not as stressed as you first were. You are able to go out without regretting it and making time for yourself.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
that is advice more individuals should apply.
I like to be of assistance in advice giving.