Priorities

I recently returned to university for my final year and the first week was filled with dissertation deadlines, essay preparations and handing in proposals! It felt very disorientating after a full year out of education!

I know that some of you may be preparing for exams, essay deadlines, choosing your GCSE’s or going to open days for colleges and universities. It can all feel a little overwhelming and as though there will never be enough hours in the day to get it all done, but do not fear! I have some tips that can help you prioritise your time a little better.

*If you’re feeling a bit burnt out as a result of feeling overwhelmed, check out my previous post.

Pray

This should be the first one on your list. What does God want you to prioritise? Ask Him to show you what to let go of and to help you to overcome any distraction or temptation.

Social Media takes a backseat

Sorry girls! But your beloved Insta and Snapchat stories may have to be a little further down on your list. In all honesty you won’t really miss too much and it’s only temporary. I remember coming home from classes and being on Instagram for about 1 hour! An hour that I could have spent catching up on some homework or studio time.

Plan ahead

Whether it be an online calendar or written, this is a perfect way to plan for your week. I normally plan all the things I am going to do for the week starting on Sunday. It is important to allow some flexibility in your planned activities, as we all know that not everything goes to plan or our way!

Get yourself some post-it-notes

Post-it-notes are literally my best friend right now. After a long day in classes I come home and write down anything I need to get done for that evening and I can tick them off as I complete each task (It also gives you a sense of accomplishment!). Sometimes I don’t finish everything on that list, but that’s okay, I can move it to the next day but I know that my day (or evening) was not wasted.

An important thing to remember is to not beat yourself up if something doesn’t go to plan or you can’t finish the tasks you had intended for that day. The ultimate thing is that you are trying and that each day is as productive as you make it.

“Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it.” – Ecclesiastes 9:7-10