How to Make Time for Yourself (In the Midst of an Academic Panic)

Three papers, two quizzes, an exam, a group project, club meetings, hanging out with friends, working out, going to work, trying to find internships – it all can be quite overwhelming. The list of things us college students deal with goes on and on.

Sometimes it feels as though we might drown in the chores, papers, and assignments that we have to do. In the tornado of to-dos, leaving time for yourself often comes second. However, this “you” time is incredibly necessary to maintain your sanity, especially when you’re drowning in work.

Self-care and allotting time to de-stress are the only ways you can withstand the pressures you, as a college student, are under. But when are we supposed to find time? It can often feel impossible to squeeze moments of relaxation into our busy lives, but it is possible. Here is a compilation of some tips and tricks to help you make time – even if it’s just a few minutes – for yourself.

If you have five to ten minutes to spare, watch a video.

This can be anything – a music video, a dance video, you can even scroll through dog videos on instagram – all will suffice. This will give you a little time to smile or get your mind off whatever you’re doing. It’s also important to partake in things you enjoy so you can dig yourself out of the work hole that we often find ourselves in. Just be sure to not get too sucked into the video vortex and find yourself on the weird part of YouTube.

If you have 20 minutes, use a face mask.

Face masks can be as cheap as a few dollars at drug or convenience stores. You might not want to put one on in public (or maybe you do, to each their own), but if you’re in your dorm room powering through an assignment, you can always put use a facemask to help you relax. Using a facemask has various benefits. It can help wake you up when it’s 2 a.m. and you’re on your third essay, and it can cut through layers of grease you’ve let build up after days of not showering (when it’s finals week, we all get a pass). But, in any sense, it can give you a few minutes to yourself when you find yourself on the brink of a meltdown.

Take a power nap.

These will keep you sane, guaranteed. Sleep deprivation is a serious thing we sometimes lead ourselves into. It’s incredibly important to give yourself some time to rest when you’re running around and trying to juggle everything in your life. If you have an hour in between classes, find a quiet place and set a timer for 20 minutes. This short burst of sleep will help revitalize you for that test, presentation, or anything else you’re preparing for. Don’t feel weird about sleeping in the library, people will understand.

If you have an hour or two, take a long shower.

We often forget to take showers when we have too much to do. But it is important to take time to keep yourself clean and healthy when you’re working yourself to the bone. Even if you get home at 1 a.m. and just want to pass out, take a minute to shower. It will help you feel productive and less grimy, refreshing you before you sleep. After, brush your teeth, moisturize, and possibly drink some tea. You will sleep better if you allow yourself time to wind down rather than allowing your buzzing thoughts to keep you awake.

It’s important to recognize the little things we can do to keep ourselves mentally healthy. Something as simple as watching a video, taking a nap, using a face mask, or showering might seem obsolete, but it can make the biggest difference when you feel as if you’re drowning in work.