We all know that free time is good for your health, but it’s usually the first thing we sacrifice when we prioritize other responsibilities. With homework, volunteering, organizations, and employment, it’s difficult to find free time for ourselves. Finding free time first comes with managing your time. If you can do that effectively, you will be able to find “me time” at the end of the day.
Sometimes it can be hard to remember everything you have to do during the week. One method many students find helpful is putting all their tasks into their Google calendar, especially when they have gaps between classes. You can also set reminders in your phone for small self-care tasks that you may otherwise skip when low on time. If you tend to lose track of time while studying, maybe set a one-hour timer to limit yourself. Adding structure to your schedule throughout the day will allow for more time at night to relax after long hours on campus.
Self-care apps are another method you can use to manage your mental health. Finch is an app that helps users with self-care by taking care of a virtual pet. “You can add little goals in it,” says Allie Browne, president of Well-Being Advocates (WBA) at Michigan Tech. “I have a goal for every Friday to try to read some because I enjoy reading.” Users are also able to add their friends on the app and compare pets. She says it helps to prioritize herself, which can relax her at the end of the day. Browne also advises students to try out new activities. This may include painting pottery, having movie nights with friends, or gaming, to name a few. Lastly, she suggests students devote their time on campus to homework and their time at home to relax. It can create two different environments that help you get in the right mindset for each respective location.
Prioritizing your mental health will allow you to stay on top of all of your responsibilities. If burnout starts, it can be difficult to get back on track. Take time for yourself each and every day. In the end, you won’t remember a ten percent difference on that quiz score, but rather the memories you make with friends at that hockey game.
If you’re struggling with time management and mental health, campus provides many resources to help. WBA holds “health huts,” where they distribute self-care resources. You can also reach out to your resident assistant, success coaches, or counselors for more hands-on assistance.
*I wasn’t sure if the title needed to be something original or if it follows the prompt of the article assignment spreadsheet. Feel free to change it if it’s meant to be original.
