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Health & Fitness

Students: How to Manage an Overloaded Schedule

When faced with a large workload, we can easily feel overwhelmed. With the nicer weather, spring sports, and end-of-year-tests, projects, and finals looming, many students feel overloaded with all that’s on their plates. This doesn’t have to be the case. Managing time, energy, and resources are essential components of learning, and are eventually the key to managing one’s life effectively.  

Each week, make a list of all of your activities and must-do tasks. What is most important to you? What deadlines are on the horizon that absolutely, positively must get done? While that extracurricular activity may be at the top of your list of favorite things to do, is it what’s holding you back academically? Assess your long-term goals—do you really need to participate in several activities? Focusing on what’s most important is the key to living a balanced life. Try to keep to about two extracurriculars that you really love.

Keep a planner close at hand, and use it. If you aren’t accustomed to using a planner, make it a point to use one now through the end of the school year. Training yourself to use a planner now will be a valuable skill that you will use throughout your life. Further, it’s a fact that all successful people use some sort of calendar or planner. Once you organize and plan your days and tasks, electronically or on paper, you will find ample time to fit in any extra activities you might have.  

Get in the habit of noticing how you spend your time—and then take control of it. Determine your goals and vow to participate in only those activities that move you towards the finish line. Plan and schedule activities and tasks, and stay committed to the course. When you find yourself overwhelmed, revisit your planner and readjust as needed. Don’t fall into the trap of scheduling too much into a day or week. And don’t beat yourself up if you have to adjust your schedule. Just roll with the changes and refocus your energy.  

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