Time blocking is a common practice that divides your day into blocks where you focus on one task for a specific block of time (e.g., one or two hours). Creating time blocks helps manage your time and spread the workload into more manageable sprints throughout the day or week.
Planning your week can help you understand your upcoming deadlines and other obligations and appointments you have in your personal and work lives. Start by blocking out the time for activities that can't be moved, such as work or appointments, and add all your deadlines for the week. Planning ahead helps you prioritize your time better, increasing your productivity.
Create micro goals for each task focusing on what you need to do now to achieve the short goal. For example, complete the reading for your class in the next hour or finish the outline for the final paper today. It is easy to feel overwhelmed when you have a lot going on, but by creating micro goals, it's easier to stay focused on the task at hand.
It is easy to keep putting things off because we are busy or don't want to deal with them at the moment. But getting into the habit of getting things done and not procrastinating is key to managing a busy workload. Procrastination only delays the inevitable and adds more unnecessary stress to your life.
Always make sure to schedule some downtime for yourself! Whether using the time to meditate, exercise, socialize, or take a hot bath, we must prioritize downtime in our daily lives. Decompressing by taking time for yourself is critical to help you keep going for the long haul. Prioritizing time for yourself is one of the most important things you can do. After all, you can't give what you don't have.
Asking for help is not a weakness. It is a sign of maturity, perseverance, and grit. Your family, friends, professors, and even neighbors can be a pillar of support during busy times.