Managing your back to school jitters

(PHOTO: Chang Zheng Shun Amos) You are not alone! We are all feeling the Back to School jitters too. Let’s manage them together!

A guide to managing Back to School Jitters!

And just like that, a new academic year has started. This is the time where we find out what assignments and tests are in store for us in the semester ahead. Some of us might be feeling worried and stressed about coping with the workload. Have no fear – here are some tips on how you can manage your time and deadlines efficiently.

(1) Using Organisational Apps

While this might seem like an obvious one, you would be surprised at how a little organising can reduce a lot of stress you might face with assignments. For example, keeping track of deadlines can save you from the panic of a last minute realisation that your important assignment is due tomorrow. With a little foresight and scheduling in your calendar, your semester should go smoothly. Apps such as Notion have a customisable system for you to input all of your due dates and commitments, so you will never have to cram at the last minute!

From colour coded sections to a masterlist of deadlines that you can create, Notion gives you a great deal of creativity to adjust the system according to your taste and liking. Whether it’s arranging your schedule for this week or checking a deadline for a project, it will all be available within one place. It’s accessible and easy for you to update as your schedule changes.

And the best part is, the variety of different apps there are to choose from! Don’t particularly fancy the interface of Notion, for example? There are thousands of other apps out there that might better suit your tastes. Prefer a less complicated, no-frills interface? Apps such as Any.do and Notecircle offer you exactly that. Much like the glass slipper from Cinderella, we hope that you find an app that fits you!

(2) Finding an activity that calms you down

Taking care of our mental wellbeing is key when it comes to handling schoolwork. If you are not in the right frame of mind, how do you expect to solve whatever issues come your way? While we all might have busy schedules in the new semester, it is always important to prioritise your mental health.

Finding a hobby to commit to can act as an outlet to vent whatever frustrations or stress you might have from school. Some of the more popular activities people take up range from something as rudimentary as colouring books ( for adults ) to more technical activities like crocheting and sewing. Taking the time to find an activity that you are interested in can really pay off in more stressful periods like a few project submissions packed into a week.

Matthew Zawadzki, a health psychologist at the University of California, Merced, conducted a study to find out if engaging in a hobby reduces stress. His study showed that people who engage in a hobby are happier and have lower levels of depression and negative feelings.

“If we start thinking about that beneficial carryover effect day after day, year after year, it starts to make sense how leisure can help improve health.” he said in a university publication. Another research published in the National Library of Medicine showed similar findings.

In conclusion, making time for yourself might seem unnecessary, but it really helps in keeping your emotions in check and ready to tackle whatever is thrown your way this semester!

(3) Fix your sleep schedule

Start early. During the holidays many students stay up late to binge shows or other activities. Once school starts and classes begin at 9 am in the morning, you are going to struggle to fix your sleep schedule. This can result in oversleeping and being late for your classes. Start sleeping 15-30 minutes earlier than you normally would and slowly make your way to start sleeping at a reasonable time. Your body will soon get used to the time you go to sleep and wake up and it won’t be as tiring anymore. According to healthhub.sg here are some tips to help you fall asleep.

Keep your room quiet, dark and at your preferred temperature to help you fall asleep faster.
If you can’t fall asleep, read a book, listen to some soft music or find something relaxing for you.
Exercise. Exercise during the day has been proven to help people sleep better. Just a simple workout routine or maybe walking around your neighbourhood will do!

By fixing your sleep schedule now, when the time comes to wake up early for classes, you will be refreshed and ready to go!

(4) Time management

Now that school has started, it may take some time to get back on the balance between school, and life especially when you have spent the past few weeks enjoying your break. Getting back into the grind can be hard so time management is very important. It’s important to establish clear goals and priorities to keep yourself on track in school. Here are some time management strategies that you can use.

Tip: Break down tasks and take it one at a time.

When all the deadlines and assignments are pushed at the start of the semester it can be very overwhelming. Breaking down the tasks according to due dates and work on those that come first will make you feel less stressed.

Tip: Plan your time.

Plan what assignments or work you want to do today and when you will do it. Be realistic, and account for breaks, distractions and time for other activities or hobbies.

Tip: Use the pomodoro technique.

What’s that, you ask? Well, this is a popular technique to help with procrastination. Set your timer for 25 minutes and then take a 5 minute break afterward. Repeat until you finish what you want to accomplish for the day. This technique helps mental fatigue with short breaks, so that you work more effectively.

(PHOTO: Chang Zheng Shun Amos) Follow these steps for the pomodoro technique!

Tip: Try not to multitask.

This might seem like a weird one but multitasking can actually decrease productivity and make you feel more tired. So avoid multitasking and block out distractions which will help you focus on the task at hand. You can always look up more tips online or follow our point 1, and use organizational apps to help! With proper time management, you will feel less burnt out and on track.

We hope this guide has helped ease some back to school jitters and prepared you for the semester ahead. If you’re feeling nervous or overwhelmed remember to breathe in and out and enjoy the present. Best of luck!