I have compiled a list of my most useful tips and tricks as a college student, on how to feel that you are using your time and life to the best of your ability and happiness. Here are some tips to help even the most exhausted soul, feel accomplished and successful in everything from day-to-day, to the big picture.
1. Make a list or keep an organizer around.
https://marshallwritingcenter.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/gif2.gif
This may seem obvious, but having a solid, physical list of what you need to do, as well as what you have gotten done, is a good way to see your accomplishments, however small. Finding an organizer or planner that you like, as well as one that is small, will make it easier and more convenient for you to carry it around and actually use it. Whether it is a catalog of social outings, a grocery list or homework tasks, this will help you organize and visualize your need-to-dos and have-dones.
2. Cook yourself a meal.
http://scstylecaster.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/22_juliashimmy.gif?w=500&h=344
Now while it might seem random, I find that cooking myself an actual meal, and not just mac and cheese, helps me feel like I have accomplished something. Everyone needs to eat and the dining hall can feel monotonous and robotic, so I like to create my own meals on occasion and see the work that I was able to make. Even in dorms you can create some sort of meal, all it takes is thoughtfulness. Cooking is also just a great stress-reliever and it makes the steps in the recipe feel like accomplishments as well.
3. Use one platform to take notes with.
http://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/wp-content/uploads/sites/29639/2015/09/the-office-ryan-notes-gif-1427208419.gif
In the past, I have rotated between taking notes on my laptop and taking notes by hand. This can make your life feel unnecessarily cluttered. Having to dig through files and notes instead of having them in order for you to sift through makes your life much more difficult, and therefore you are less willing to do the work.
4. Work from most time-consuming to least.
https://media.giphy.com/media/XIqCQx02E1U9W/giphy.gif
Obviously do what works best for you, and if you have a paper due the next day you haven't started obviously it's going to be a long night. But I tend to find that if I get my long and time-consuming assignments done earlier in the day, I feel more accomplished later when my assignments seem to be flying by before bed. It also allows you to have time to scramble for the small assignments instead of not turning anything in for the larger ones.
5. Try to plan your weeks ahead of time.
https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/981/405/5fe.gif
Or at least try to get a sense of what is going to take up your time and then plan accordingly. As you get assignments and know what is going to be due, you feel a little less overwhelmed and can set doable goals that don't make you feel more overwhelmed.
6. Have a solid resume and cover letter.
https://unigocms.blob.core.windows.net/media/2685/how-to-write-a-resume.gif?width=500&height=399
Literally the whole point of a resume is to show off your accomplishments. If you have a well-put together resume, you will feel much more accomplished than not. If you have an old one, update it. You can take the time to make it really shine and this in itself will help you reach for your goals and show of what you have done.
7. On that note, set reasonable goals.
https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*HowpJ8qGN8-V1CqBT2iCxg.gif
If you know you have an 8 page paper due in less than 48 hours, I would say that the best course at that point is to do a little bit each hour. Set time limits of working on certain assignments and they will become more manageable. Know when to put away a frustrating assignment and work on another to get more done and to progress more evenly.
8. Do something that you enjoy after completing a task.
https://alexissturgess.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/treat2.gif
Whether it's rewarding yourself with a snack, or going to take a walk, doing this can help get you through those days that feel like they will never end. I find that on the really tiring, gloomy days, being able to reward myself or get to a stopping point, feels like a huge victory. One recommendation for this is to set a list of things you want to get done before you have to leave for something like dinner, and then work and try to get those things done. This can work as a good mental motivator.
9. Don't let yourself get too stressed.
http://astonlife.astonwordpress.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2018/05/giphy-1.gif
If you start meditating on all of the things you have to get done, then more than likely you are going to stress yourself out more than you need to, and end up getting less done. If you spend more time worrying about what you have to do then actually doing it, it makes starting the actual work that much harder.
10. Listen to music without lyrics.
https://i.imgur.com/ugWb6BU.gif
Often lyrics can be distracting because you want to sing along and focus on them more than the work. If you listen to music that doesn't have lyrics, this can help you feel like you are powering through everything you need to do. It can also just act as a stress-reliever while you are working and is a reminder to again, don't let yourself overwhelmed.
All in all, I hope that as we hedge towards the middle of the semester, these tips and tricks have helped me to manage my time and make me feel successful, even at the little things and I hope that they will do the same for you.
StableDiffusion
StableDiffusion
StableDiffusion
StableDiffusion
StableDiffusion
StableDiffusion
StableDiffusion
StableDiffusion
File:Blake ancient of days.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
woman in white shirt leaning on yellow wall
Photo by 
pancakes with syrup
Photo by 
person in brown knit sweater
Photo by 
a person sitting on a couch with a laptop
Photo by 
woman in black and white floral dress sitting on red car hood during daytime
Photo by 
a person holding a cell phone in their hand
Photo by 
high angle photo of cityscape
Photo by 
woman covering eyes with hand
Photo by 
smiling woman wrapped with white headscarf
Photo by 
Good hair | Jamie | Flickr
mmm coffee | We found a good coffee place on the island. Act… | Flickr
man jumping on the middle of the street during daytime
Photo by 
person jumping on big rock under gray and white sky during daytime
Photo by 
a bowl of guacamole next to a bowl of tortilla chips
Photo by 
two women sitting on a couch in a living room
Photo by 
cooked food on black bowl
Photo by 
men's arm tattoo
Photo by 
a group of trees with orange leaves
Photo by 
The butterflies in the stomach... | Check out my blog! www.p… | Flickr
two bread with sauce in box
Photo by 
a couple of young girls standing next to a tent
Photo by 
