If you’ve ever found yourself trapped in the midst of a homogeneous cycle in which every one of your days is indistinguishable from the last, you probably are pining for something new. However, you most likely also tell yourself that you don’t have time for something new. We all do it; claim that time is what controls the ranking of our days. What if I told you that there’s a way to do everything you want to do by using time to your advantage rather than thinking of it as an opponent?
First and foremost, as I’ve always said, time is a manmade fabrication. Not to get too philosophical but does time really even exist? Does it matter? Should we let a concoction of mankind control our happiness? I’m not telling you to stop showing up to your classes on time or to cut sleep out of your schedule, but I am saying that having “no time” is not an excuse for mediocrity. I understand that the workloads pile up from school and then there’s your job at the grocery store that takes up time and chores that you have to help out with, but, there’s also a life to be enjoyed and not a single moment should be construed as a triviality.
So, how do you come up with clever ways of doing what you want to do while also making time for things that you must do? There are a few steps, actually.
- To-Do list. This is my personal staple and is the ultimate backbone for ensuring that you make no excuses for not getting to what you want to get to. Write down a list of things, with threefold categorization. Firstly, scribble down (usually I use purple pen but whatever works for you is just as well) all of the things that must be done that very day. This for me is usually school assignments. Next, write in a different color all of the things that you want to do for yourself. This could be reading, watching a specific show, taking a nap, whatever you fancy, and whatever you feel would make your day worth your time. Thirdly, write down things that you want to do with and/or for people around you. This could be doing the dishes for your parents, helping your friend understand the homework assignment that they couldn’t figure out, or anything else that could benefit someone you care about. Then assign a little box next to each item on the comprehensive list, in order that you will be able to check it off at the end of the day.
- Timestamp. Here’s what you should do in order to make sure you get to everything on your list: record how long you are doing each activity so that you don’t lose track of time and end up spending an hour and a half on your chemistry homework. If it helps, write down desired times next to each item on your list so that you know precisely how long you want to do each one for. This will help you immensely with being both realistic and optimistic about your itinerary.
- Release the feeling of guilt. We’ve all felt guilty for taking a break between study sessions, feeling like we aren’t doing enough to approach our goals. However, guilt is a liar that misleads you into believing this. The truth is, the best thing you can do for yourself and for your future is to give yourself time to relax and absorb information before putting in more laborious effort. It’s actually proven that we learn and retain information better when we give ourselves the occasional hiatus from work. It might feel strange to take time for yourself and to rest, but it isn’t just nice to take a break, it’s vital.
So, in the midst of that familiar cycle of monotony, remember these steps and break out of it before you look back, unable to note any distinctions between the days.