Written by Olivia Anselment
At this point in the year, students begin to face academic and spiritual burnout from the constant barrage of homework and social life demands. It can seem almost impossible to stay ahead of the grind and not get lost in an endless to do list.
Wondering how you as a student can remain productive and efficient?
Here are 5 ways you can stay on top of your work while also having a work-life balance:
1. Plan
As a busy student, the best thing you can do is have a planner or calendar of some sort where you can keep track of assignments, due dates, obligations, etc. Visualizing this will keep you aware and on track.
2. Prioritize
Once you have your to-do list and schedule, it is important to prioritize assignments. What is busy work? What is worth more points? Is it worth turning in one assignment late to do better on another assignment? Being intentional with your priorities is a MUST.
3. Prepare: Do it in Advance
One of the best things you can do for yourself is make deadlines before your ACTUAL deadlines. This practice of doing things in advance will help you, and often save you, just in case something else pops up in life. Sickness, spontaneous adventure with friends, a call to spend time with the Lord; these are all the things that you want to leave room for in your life.
4. Pick and Choose: Sometimes You Have to Say No
The hard truth of being young and in college with SO MANY opportunities is that you have to say no to things. It sucks, it’s hard, and once you’ve ‘trimmed away the fat’ of your schedule and you are down to the MUSTS, it can get tricky. No matter what you say no to, make sure you are sticking to a balance and really asking yourself honest questions. “Can I stay up later to do more work or will I suffer from lack of sleep?” “Is this club really that important to me or do I really value the time I get to spend in fellowship?”
5. Pray
Prayer is the best thing you can do for yourself when the world feels too big. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30,
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
We keep relationship with Christ as we pray and through that prayer, He offers to take our heavy load upon himself when we are weary and burdened. Find rest in prayer and conversation with the God of Peace.
Of course, every week as a student is different and it is good to adjust this for YOU. The top priority for us as Christians is to live each day in surrender to Christ. Clothe yourself in this verse as you give your schedule to the One who is above all time.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
– 1 Peter 5:6-10
