1 answer
Zoe
Student
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey
1
Question
Updated
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How can I improve my time management skills so I can pursue my degree and also have time for personal interests? ?
I'm a high school senior, majoring in nursing and considering minoring in psychology. My time management skills are improving and I've started using more organization tools. However, I still find myself occasionally getting overwhelmed. How can I balance a rigorous courseload and also have time for maintaining personal relationships and/or hobbies without feeling burnt out so quickly?
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1 answer
Ernesto Longhin
Psychologist
10
Answers
Mendoza, Mendoza Province, Argentina
Updated
Ernesto’s Answer
Hello Zoe,
What stands out to me in what you have presented is that you have started using more organizational tools, and yet you still occasionally find yourself overwhelmed.
Regarding this, you should better check if those tools are really effective; otherwise, you wouldn't feel overwhelmed, don't you think?
Let's keep something in mind: what we need to divide is time, not ourselves. And this is what seems to be happening to you, that you are not appropriately dividing your study time to leave yourself time and space to maintain personal relationships and dedicate yourself to a hobby of your interest.
Taking into account your post, it seems that you need to have free time for recreation, to be in contact with nature, to share with friends, to have a hobby, or to practice a sport or a recreational activity. Perhaps, everything I said. Am I wrong?
What if you started the equation of time management in reverse? How about choosing a sports or recreational activity that you enjoy in the first place? It would help you reduce the time spent on so much mental activity that seems to be required to finish your high school, along with everything you're thinking about regarding psychology.
If you're not a fan of practicing a sport, maybe you could start by going for a 30-minute walk every day with a friend in a place that allows you to connect with nature. Connecting with nature activates hormones such as: oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and cannabinoids that our brain produces when we are in connection with nature on a walk enjoying it. The very distraction in nature generates these pleasure and well-being hormones. Walking oxygenates your blood and brain and activates your body pulling you out of the "mind mode" you are in when you are studying. Talking with a friend, it distracts you towards other topics, causing your mind to wander to subjects unrelated to studying.
From my extensive experience as a psychologist, I could assure you that starting with a distracting and enjoyable activity will help you gain perspective and return to studying with a renewed and fresh outlook. Your motivation will increase, and you will experience that time will be much more productive for you.
I hope my contribution helps you and is useful.
What stands out to me in what you have presented is that you have started using more organizational tools, and yet you still occasionally find yourself overwhelmed.
Regarding this, you should better check if those tools are really effective; otherwise, you wouldn't feel overwhelmed, don't you think?
Let's keep something in mind: what we need to divide is time, not ourselves. And this is what seems to be happening to you, that you are not appropriately dividing your study time to leave yourself time and space to maintain personal relationships and dedicate yourself to a hobby of your interest.
Taking into account your post, it seems that you need to have free time for recreation, to be in contact with nature, to share with friends, to have a hobby, or to practice a sport or a recreational activity. Perhaps, everything I said. Am I wrong?
What if you started the equation of time management in reverse? How about choosing a sports or recreational activity that you enjoy in the first place? It would help you reduce the time spent on so much mental activity that seems to be required to finish your high school, along with everything you're thinking about regarding psychology.
If you're not a fan of practicing a sport, maybe you could start by going for a 30-minute walk every day with a friend in a place that allows you to connect with nature. Connecting with nature activates hormones such as: oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and cannabinoids that our brain produces when we are in connection with nature on a walk enjoying it. The very distraction in nature generates these pleasure and well-being hormones. Walking oxygenates your blood and brain and activates your body pulling you out of the "mind mode" you are in when you are studying. Talking with a friend, it distracts you towards other topics, causing your mind to wander to subjects unrelated to studying.
From my extensive experience as a psychologist, I could assure you that starting with a distracting and enjoyable activity will help you gain perspective and return to studying with a renewed and fresh outlook. Your motivation will increase, and you will experience that time will be much more productive for you.
I hope my contribution helps you and is useful.