With school starting up next week (and prelim exams happening in September, yikes!), I’m spending this week preparing for all the craziness that will inevitably ensue once the semester begins and classes pick up. In my experience, spending just a little extra time getting everything in order ends up making the whole process of starting a new semester (or big project) that much more manageable. And with so many other students out there, I thought I would go ahead and share them with you too! So without further ado, here are the five things I’m making sure to do before starting the new school year!
ONE // Unplug. With the busy-ness that has become the norm in the average person’s life, it’s so so important to give your mind a rest from those little screens and your soul a break from stress. For me, this manifested itself in completely unplugging and going off-the-grid with a week-long backpacking trip in Utah. For you it could simply be leaving your phone at home one evening, or not checking your messages over dinner–simply being present in the moment and not filling every waking second with social media and television noise in the background.
I’ve also found that while social media can be exceeding inspiring and compelling, it can also serve to be a stressor in my life as I am prone to comparing my work with others. I know the truth that is “comparison is the thief of joy”, but sometimes it’s easier said than done. Sound familiar to you too? As a remedy for this, I like to stay social media free at least one day a week. Doing so really allows me to get back to and to immerse myself in MY life, cherishing all the little joys and moments that bring me happiness.
TWO // Evaluate Your Goals. This is something I do every couple months (see my 101 in 1001 updates), but that I make sure I do at minimum with the changing of each new season (or semester). Understanding what your priorities are for the upcoming months sets the stage for how you should be spending your time going forward, and represents a critical step in achieving any new or continued goals you have in mind. For me, my primary focus this next month (read: my entire life for the foreseeable future) will be studying for the preliminary exams (PhD qualifiers) happening in mid-September. If posts are a bit sporadic until then, you’ll understand why! But that’s the point, right? Understanding that my preliminary exams are my most pressing goals will help me to succeed in them. Being realistic with your goals and how you should be organizing your time and energy is key here. Be honest with yourself and don’t sugar-coat the truth! If hobbies and free time have to take a break for a month, understand that it is for the best and will pay off in the end. Stick to your goals and go after them!
THREE // Define Your Routine. After evaluating your goals, now it’s time to start planning out the way you want to achieve them. Whether it’s waking up early each morning or making sure to get your sweat session in every day, defining your routine for the next few months and making the necessary changes from summertime will be essential in starting the semester off on the right foot. I find that I’m most productive in the mornings, so making sure that I’m awake and moving by 7am is something I’ve been holding too all week long. This will make waking up during the semester to study for my prelim exams that much easier come Monday morning!
FOUR // Get Ahead. On the same note of evaluating your goals, get as much done as you can before the true madness starts! Don’t wait to do what you can get out of the way now. For me this means unpacking from my summer in Houston and making sure my apartment is in order, as well as catching up on blog posts for next week and starting the prelim studying NOW. For someone else, this could be as simple as planning out your meals, running those last minute errands, or simply giving a friend a call that you’ve been meaning to catch up with all summer long. Don’t put off what can be crossed off your list now. Finishing even the smallest of tasks can really make a difference in your stress level down the road.
FIVE // Savor. And last but certainly not least…don’t forget to truly savor these last few moments of summer. Enjoy the silence. Enjoy the peace. Enjoy the sleep, friends. 😛 Don’t forget that even though the season is changing and new challenges are fresh on the horizon, there is plenty of summer left to still embrace and enjoy. While I highly recommend getting a head start on all the endeavors you’ve set for yourself in this upcoming semester, don’t live too far in the future. Remember to cherish the moment you are in now and to relish the last few days of sweet, sweet summertime you have left! Cheers, friends!
What about you? What are some of the things you make sure to fit in before your busy season starts?
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