Break It Down
Responsibilities feel like they pile around me. The chaotic piles of tasks form walls on all sides. I think I am trapped, then I notice the contents of the walls. Most fit in my hand while others could easily be moved by themselves. I take chunks of clutter out of one of the walls and spread them across the ground, grouping like items together. I worry my sorting would leave me with little room to move, but the space is far less cramped than I predicted. I continue working on that wall until it is reduced to neat categories at my feet. I do the same with another wall, then another, then another. I stand over my work, looking down at an objective image of what is there and how much. I am still a bit stressed and uncertain, but somehow, I simultaneously feel reassured.
What I am getting at here is the benefits of organizing your workload. Making a to-do list and breaking your tasks into smaller bits are pretty common pieces of advice. However, habits like these can be difficult to start, much less commit to. Even so, if you do not already do this, I implore you to try. Maybe consider a system to remind you to stay on track. Converting the abstract school of duties swimming around in your head to a tangible list in your hand can be life changing. You may even realize the former pile of items was only tall but not that dense, appearing to be more than it really is.
Do not just make a to-do list but organize them by priority and deadlines. Review the amount of time you have for each task, then plan when you will work on them. If needed, break down items into their individual steps. For example, for an art project, I would list the steps as planning, sketching, line work, and coloring/shading. Taking the time to make that list may feel like another chore, but it really is just a few minutes that will help you with time management and stress. Speaking of stress, remember to leave room for down time and personal care. Burnout hits like a truck, so make sure you rest before getting back on the road.
I still struggle committing to this routine, so I am technically writing to myself as much as I am writing to you. To those feeling overwhelmed, remember you are not alone. Good habits are hard to initiate, and many of us need more than a list to stay on top of things. If you are looking for support, the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) provides tutors and resources to help students with their coursework. Visit huntington.edu/ACE for more information.
