I am the type of person who not matter what needs time to unwind, time to myself to just think or do something that isn't required of me. I like to read and write, so it's very important for me to find time to do that both during my week. Between school, this blog, trying to be social (guess where this falls on my hierarchy of importance?), and all of the other random variables that pop up every once in a while, there isn't a whole heck of a lot of time left to do the things that I love (not to say that I don't love school or this blog, because I do!).
In order to fit in the reading and writing and binge watching of television shows and YouTube videos, I do a few things to free up that "me time" that I so desperately need to keep myself sane.
1. Wake up early or go to bed late.
This is probably the easiest, yet worst way to make time for myself. I've been known to get up an hour earlier to fit in some writing or music listening. More likely, I'll force myself awake for an extra hour or two (I've stretched it to four, not exactly something I've proud of, but it's happened) to read or write or do whatever I need to satisfy my need for free time.
2. Bring it with you.
If reading is what you like to do during your free time, bring your book of the moment or magazine or newspaper with you. I never leave the house/dorm without a book in my bag, no matter where I'm going because you never know. If you like to write, bring a notebook and pen everywhere. I've been known to write in the margins of my notebooks, on folded sheets of loose leaf, on separate notebooks that I disguise as note-taking. I write during breaks between classes, in the Notes section on my phone...utilizing every free minute that you get during your schedule is a great way to take away small bits of free time.
3. Work extra hard to make time.
If you do two hours of great, diligent work, think of how much time you're free up. Rather than turning two hours of hard work into four hours of work with nonsensical lollyjaggling will only hurt you in the long run. Just get it done without a lot of procrastination and enjoy the time you would have spent working doing other things. Maybe it's more work, maybe it's a run, maybe it's absolutely nothing. Whatever you need to do to unwind and keep yourself happy, right?
4. Take a weekend off.
This is something that I myself have been completely afraid to do, but I did it for the first time this past weekend and it felt fantastic. Contrary to popular belief, your work can wait until Sunday afternoon and night. Gone are the days of feeling like every single day needs to revolve around schoolwork. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe that there is anything wrong with being focused in school or wanting to get ahead of your work. But there is no shame in taking one weekend off to start TV series or read a book or to just not have to worry about papers and quizzes and assigned reading. Enjoy yourself and your life away from work, even if it is just for a day or two.
4b. Take advantage of long weekends and breaks.
There are far and few between breaks in college as compared to high school, so when one comes around...enjoy it to its fullest! Get ahead of your work so you're not lugging textbooks home or letting them weigh you down when you should be relaxing and clearing your head from school. Long weekends were practically instated to keep everybody sane. They are the perfect time for you to do things for yourself!
What's your favorite thing to do in your free time?
In order to fit in the reading and writing and binge watching of television shows and YouTube videos, I do a few things to free up that "me time" that I so desperately need to keep myself sane.
1. Wake up early or go to bed late.
This is probably the easiest, yet worst way to make time for myself. I've been known to get up an hour earlier to fit in some writing or music listening. More likely, I'll force myself awake for an extra hour or two (I've stretched it to four, not exactly something I've proud of, but it's happened) to read or write or do whatever I need to satisfy my need for free time.
2. Bring it with you.
If reading is what you like to do during your free time, bring your book of the moment or magazine or newspaper with you. I never leave the house/dorm without a book in my bag, no matter where I'm going because you never know. If you like to write, bring a notebook and pen everywhere. I've been known to write in the margins of my notebooks, on folded sheets of loose leaf, on separate notebooks that I disguise as note-taking. I write during breaks between classes, in the Notes section on my phone...utilizing every free minute that you get during your schedule is a great way to take away small bits of free time.
3. Work extra hard to make time.
If you do two hours of great, diligent work, think of how much time you're free up. Rather than turning two hours of hard work into four hours of work with nonsensical lollyjaggling will only hurt you in the long run. Just get it done without a lot of procrastination and enjoy the time you would have spent working doing other things. Maybe it's more work, maybe it's a run, maybe it's absolutely nothing. Whatever you need to do to unwind and keep yourself happy, right?
4. Take a weekend off.
This is something that I myself have been completely afraid to do, but I did it for the first time this past weekend and it felt fantastic. Contrary to popular belief, your work can wait until Sunday afternoon and night. Gone are the days of feeling like every single day needs to revolve around schoolwork. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe that there is anything wrong with being focused in school or wanting to get ahead of your work. But there is no shame in taking one weekend off to start TV series or read a book or to just not have to worry about papers and quizzes and assigned reading. Enjoy yourself and your life away from work, even if it is just for a day or two.
4b. Take advantage of long weekends and breaks.
There are far and few between breaks in college as compared to high school, so when one comes around...enjoy it to its fullest! Get ahead of your work so you're not lugging textbooks home or letting them weigh you down when you should be relaxing and clearing your head from school. Long weekends were practically instated to keep everybody sane. They are the perfect time for you to do things for yourself!
What's your favorite thing to do in your free time?
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