College-Life Balance Is a Thing—Here's How To Do It

Get Organized

If your stuff is all over the place, you’re not just making a mess. You’re also stressing yourself out and wasting time looking for that textbook you need for class, or the car keys buried underneath a pile of dirty clothes.

Devote an afternoon to getting your space truly organized. Throw on an episode of “The Home Edit” or “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” if you need a little inspiration and get to work. Give everything a home and yourself a space to do your work. Then, keep at it. Put things away where they belong; each time you do, you’ll have one less thing to worry about.

Be Prepared

If you’re prepared, you’ll have less reason to stress when things don’t go as planned. Consider designating a Pakalong as your go-to emergency kit by keeping it stocked with extra face masks, sanitary gear, and other emergency items—like safety pins, a little cash, and a charging cable for your phone. Stash this in your Right Pack at all times so it’s on-hand when you need it.

Are there other ways you can be prepared? If you drive a lot, make sure to stow a flashlight and flat tire gear in your trunk. If you have back-to-back classes that keep you busy during the day, prep your lunches or snacks at the beginning of the week and get a bag to carry your food in so you have the fuel you need to power through the day. We love this Pressed Petals Lunch Break.

Get Ahead

Now that you’re organized and ready for anything, get ahead of your schoolwork. Make a to-do list at the end of each day so that you know what you need to accomplish as soon as you wake up. Prioritize by putting the most important and urgent items on top.

Have a big assignment or test coming up? Don’t wait to tackle it in one chunk. Instead, break it up into small increments and chip away at it. That way, you’ll be steadily making progress, so that if something comes up at the last-minute, you don’t have to resort to an all-nighter because you’ll have already made serious headway.

Set Boundaries

Don’t divide your attention. When you’re doing school work, stay focused. Put your phone on do not disturb or keep it out of sight. There are tons of browser apps you can download so that when you’re in work mode, you have to think twice about hopping over to scroll your social feeds. You’ll find you’ll get things done a lot more quickly than when you’re distracted, leaving you with more time for the things you want to do outside of your studies.

The same goes for when you’re hanging out with your friends. Don’t check your email or worry about your school work. This is your time to relax, recharge, and have some fun, so enjoy it.

Make the Most of Small Moments

When you have five minutes here and there, use them. Quiz yourself with flashcards or make your to-do list. Try doing your reading for class while doing your laundry or playing a language learning podcast when you run errands,

The best use of your time might not be studying; here are 6 Apps to Help You Begin Your Meditation Practice. If you find yourself with a spare minute, try doing a breathing exercise.

Practice Self Care

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Eat well, get plenty of sleep, and remember, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to pamper yourself. Put on a skincare mask and paint your nails; watch your favorite movie; or make yourself a batch of home-made cookies just because. If you’re feeling good, you’ll be better prepared to handle everything that comes your way—so invest in yourself.

Have your own school-life balance tips? Share them on social media with #LifeUnzipped.