SUNDAYS ARE THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK
This blog post is all about setting ourselves up for success before the week even starts, and I’ll be sharing with you my tips on how to stay organized and stay on top of everything. Finding balance between being a full-time student, having a part-time job and internship, and being involved in clubs hasn’t been easy but this method has helped me tremendously and I think could help you too!
Invest in a practical agenda!
If you know me, you know I have my agenda with me at all times and it’s pretty much my lifeline. Although I don’t think you have to be as obsessed with yours as I am with mine, I think that having an agenda is key to staying organized. If having a paper agenda isn’t your thing, there are also plenty of online agendas that you may like more. One very popular online option is Notion, and I know multiple people who love it but personally I get really overwhelmed being on my computer all day so I prefer paper, (and I love physically crossing off my to-do list). The more you start using an agenda, the more you’ll start to understand what set-up works best for you. Personally I need an agenda with at least 6 or 7 lines for each day, not just an open space. I also like having a page that shows me the entire month so that I can mark appointments, meetings, test dates, etc. Marshalls has a pretty good selection of agendas for around $10, and if you want something a bit fancier, Barnes & Noble also offers a pretty good assortment of agendas.
Mark all assignments 2-3 days before they are due
There’s multiple reasons I do this. First off, I’m a procrastinator and I will wait until the last minute to complete an assignment unlesss I think that assignment is due a few days before it’s actually due. This ensures you get your work done without procrastinating and gives you the leeway to push an assignment to the next day if you genuinely don’t have enough time, while still being completed early.
Mark test dates with a different color pen
I like to mark test date reminders with a red pen, and I usually use a blue pen for meetings and appointments. In my opinion, color coding my classes makes me feel extremely organized but this isn’t necessary. On Sunday night, I’ll look ahead to when I have test dates marked and will set aside studying time days in advance. Spaced studying is most efficient and you want to make sure to give yourself 15-45 minutes each night for a few nights before a test to retain the information most efficiently.
Set aside time for the things you want to do!
Agendas aren’t just for homework, I use them to set aside time to go to the gym, go for walks, get lunch with friends, etc. It’s important to prioritize the things you look forward to doing and I think you should always have at least one thing to look forward to everyday.
Get to bed earlier!
This is something I’ve been trying to work on myself. Getting enough rest is key to starting your day off on the right foot and it’s the most important thing you can do for yourself. One of my New Years Resolutions is to limit my screen time, and before bed is one of the best opportunities for this. By going on your phone before bed you are restraining the production of melatonin in your body which allows you to fall asleep faster. It’s a good idea to set your alarms and put your phone away at least 30 minutes before your bed time.
These are all key tips that I implement for the majority on Sunday nights so that I’m ready for the week. It’s also so important to include time for self care whether that be meditation, time to read a new book, having tea, or whatever that may be for you :)
If you have any tips that help you tackle your week, please share them with me @shiftwithyuliana on Instagram. Try out my advice for a week and let me know if it helps you!
