It’s no secret that college can be stressful. From endless assignments, to ever-present tests, to trying to figure out how to be your own person, college has a host of daunting demands. In the midst of all of this, it can feel incredibly difficult to ground oneself, to feel like you have any control over everything piling up all around you. However, there are a few key things you can do to help you feel more organized, rested and on top of things. These are all true tips from my own personal experience — as a chronic perfectionist these tips have been crucial to my success in college. 

Make an assignment tracker at the beginning of the semester. 

This has saved my academic life more times than I can count. At the start of each semester during syllabus week, I put all of my assignments for every class into a spreadsheet. I color-code the assignments by class and then sort them by date. This allows me to keep track of all of my assignments in order of due date. Also, by doing it in a spreadsheet, I’m able to easily update it when there’s any changes in due dates or readings or anything of the sort. Not only does this help me stay organized, but it also helps ease the anxiety of feeling like I’m forgetting an assignment or overlooking a deadline. 

Do as much work as you can during the week. 

This isn’t something I started until last year, but it totally shifted my academic outlook and expanded my time for rest. Each week, I try to get as much of my homework done during the weekdays as I can so I have more time to do fun things on the weekend. I also frequently do more of my household chores on the weekend too, like grocery shopping, cleaning and doing my laundry. A few things about this tip, though — it’s not always possible. Some weeks there’s just too much work, and this plan goes totally out the window. However, even in those weeks I still try to get as much as possible done during the week so when I do work on the weekend it’s slightly less. 

Look for a campus job that allows you to do work.

Having a campus job at the Frick Fine Arts Library allows me to do my school work while also on the clock. Having a job that is more desk-based doesn’t mean you don’t have to work — I still shelve books, pull holds and help with projects, but this doesn’t take up the entirety of my shifts. All the extra space in my shifts can then be used to work on my homework, effectively killing two birds with one stone. Additionally, even if you need to work an off-campus job, it may be worth taking a campus job alongside another job, so you’re able to make the money you need and still reserve a slice of that time for doing your work on the job. 

Clean your space weekly.

This may sound super tedious, but hear me out on this one — the more often you clean your space the less work you have to do when you clean. Personally, I would rather spend 20 minutes cleaning my room each week than an hour and a half one day each month. Additionally, having a cleaner space helps me feel more organized and overall just puts me in a better headspace. 

Make time for independent activities.

Find time to do something you love, all by yourself, each week! College can be noisy — you’re often surrounded by people and demands, and finding space to do something you love all alone can be very recentering. This can be something as simple as watching your favorite show, journaling or even working out. It can also be taking yourself to a coffee shop for a solo study date, ordering your favorite coffee and listening to your favorite music. The options truly are endless, and spending even just 10 minutes of intentional solo time each week can be so helpful. 

A sweet treat at least once a week is a must.

As someone who worked at an ice cream shop for most of high school, I know the importance of a sweet treat. College is a lot of hard work and you more than deserve a little reward — whether it’s a latte in the morning or an ice cream in the evening, there’s always room to treat yourself. 

Have a nighttime — or morning — routine that you stick to.

Having a routine that you stick to right before bed, or right after you wake up — or both — can be a great way to ground yourself for each day and get yourself in the right head space. Personally, I’m more of a nighttime-routine girl. It helps me relax from an exhausting day and leaves me more prepared for the next. 

Make time for your friends — even if it’s just studying together.

College can be isolating — a lot of your work needs to be done solo, and sometimes you need a space to lock in to study. But making time for your people is so important. Finding your community is a huge part of college life, and spending time in that community is so fulfilling. Sometimes, it may feel like you have no time to do anything but work, and in those situations a study date with your friends can be just what you need. 

Find a way to move your body daily.

Finding time to exercise daily — or almost daily — can feel daunting, but it’s also rewarding. Exercising can help you feel happier and more centered and can even be something as simple as just taking a walk!

If you’re falling asleep doing work, it’s OK to take a nap.

This is honestly one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in college — sometimes you simply need to stop. There are times when you will be too tired to do work, and sometimes, instead of trying to push through it’s better to take a short break. This won’t always be an option, but it’s often more efficient to rest than to try to keep pushing through. Take a break, and come back refreshed and ready to try again.

Ultimately, these are the things that work best for me in establishing my own routines and making time for rest. They might not all work well for you, but I hope somewhere in here you found a piece of good advice that helps you have the best semester possible!

Lauren is a senior studying English literature, communications, and film. You can connect with her at [email protected].