4 answers
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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4 answers
Cindy Muhonja
Registered Nurse
58
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Cindy’s Answer
Pursuing a nursing major along with another career option can be quite challenging. Nursing is often considered one of the toughest college courses. Many nursing students find it difficult to work full-time while studying. I recommend checking the nursing degree requirements to understand what's needed to join the program. Look at the prerequisites and how long they take, as well as the classes you'll need to complete. This will help you decide if you can manage both nursing and psychology. Nursing also involves clinicals, which are practical sessions often held in hospitals. These can be long, sometimes 12-hour days, and might require traveling to different sites. Good luck on your journey to becoming a nurse!
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.
Rachel Gilmer
RN, Labor & Delivery; College Faculty
26
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Taking care of your mental health is very important despite the career you choose. You are embarking on a very challenging course of study. Consider discarding the tools that are least effective and utilize those that are most effective. Sometimes too many tools can be conflicting and become burdensome. Work with your school/ college counselor to map out your coursework by the semester/ quarter so you don't overwhelm yourself with the number of units. Be cognizant of the study time each course will require as you are grouping the classes.
Now let's look at ALL the other activities you are doing. It's very likely that you will need to cut back on some of those activities. Determine which groups/ activities you are not willing to decrease, which are most important, which can possibly be combined, which can be dropped all together. Hanging out with family & friends may be reduced but don't cut it out altogether. As another person stated you can only divide time, not yourself. Instead of planning and setting up and tearing down for the party, you will contribute by bringing items and help with the cleanup. Find ways you can contribute without doing everything. You WILL have to cut back, but you get to decide what that is.
You are learning how to treat the ill and injured, how to save lives, how to help improve lives, help the dying die gracefully and with dignity... this takes time and dedication... it will take a lot of you and from you... but it will be rewarding and replenishing. You MUST take care of yourself so you can be there for your patients and be healthy yourself. You will realize that small doses of what you are doing will be sufficient.
As a high school student, social life is extremely important that's the life stage you are in. As a college student, it remains important but you are planning/ preparing to become an adult and that requires a reorganization of priorities. As you move through the college years you will find yourself focusing on the important things, learn to gracefully decline invitations, and realize your life goals start here.
My personal strategy for dealing with feeling overwhelmed...I hit the RESET button. I turn off for a few hours or a day or a weekend (whichever is appropriate for the situation), get some rest, connect with nature and then reorganize my priorities.
You will learn your strategy, believe in yourself, YOU GOT THIS!!!!
Now let's look at ALL the other activities you are doing. It's very likely that you will need to cut back on some of those activities. Determine which groups/ activities you are not willing to decrease, which are most important, which can possibly be combined, which can be dropped all together. Hanging out with family & friends may be reduced but don't cut it out altogether. As another person stated you can only divide time, not yourself. Instead of planning and setting up and tearing down for the party, you will contribute by bringing items and help with the cleanup. Find ways you can contribute without doing everything. You WILL have to cut back, but you get to decide what that is.
You are learning how to treat the ill and injured, how to save lives, how to help improve lives, help the dying die gracefully and with dignity... this takes time and dedication... it will take a lot of you and from you... but it will be rewarding and replenishing. You MUST take care of yourself so you can be there for your patients and be healthy yourself. You will realize that small doses of what you are doing will be sufficient.
As a high school student, social life is extremely important that's the life stage you are in. As a college student, it remains important but you are planning/ preparing to become an adult and that requires a reorganization of priorities. As you move through the college years you will find yourself focusing on the important things, learn to gracefully decline invitations, and realize your life goals start here.
My personal strategy for dealing with feeling overwhelmed...I hit the RESET button. I turn off for a few hours or a day or a weekend (whichever is appropriate for the situation), get some rest, connect with nature and then reorganize my priorities.
You will learn your strategy, believe in yourself, YOU GOT THIS!!!!
Destiny Hankerson
Athlete, Artist, and Writer
33
Answers
East Orange, New Jersey
Updated
Destiny’s Answer
Hi Zoe,
I can really relate to this question, because I know sometimes it's challenging to balance your school life with extracurricular activities. There are a few tips I've learned over time with time management, so I'll share what I've learned with you!
First, it's helpful to keep a calendar where you write down important dates, events, and deadlines. You can use a digital or physical calendar. When you write down the things you need to do, it's much easier to keep track of them and manage your time. Then you won't feel overwhelmed by things you forgot to complete.
Second, you could limit some of the extracurricular activities you have. Since a nursing major and a psychology minor would be really intensive, you may want to set aside more time for school. But consider that perhaps you may want to focus solely on nursing before adding the psychology minor. Once you're further into your nursing degree, you might be more aware of whether you can handle the challenges of doing two different areas of study.
Finally, make room for balance. Don't overwhelm yourself with studies. It's okay to move more slowly to finish your degree, because it can protect your well-being and leave you more time to spend with family and friends. I agree with Rachel that it's so important for you to take care of yourself, too. You will be able to help others much more once you've taken care of yourself.
I hope you find ways to manage your time and achieve your goals! Maybe these tips will be helpful for you.
I can really relate to this question, because I know sometimes it's challenging to balance your school life with extracurricular activities. There are a few tips I've learned over time with time management, so I'll share what I've learned with you!
First, it's helpful to keep a calendar where you write down important dates, events, and deadlines. You can use a digital or physical calendar. When you write down the things you need to do, it's much easier to keep track of them and manage your time. Then you won't feel overwhelmed by things you forgot to complete.
Second, you could limit some of the extracurricular activities you have. Since a nursing major and a psychology minor would be really intensive, you may want to set aside more time for school. But consider that perhaps you may want to focus solely on nursing before adding the psychology minor. Once you're further into your nursing degree, you might be more aware of whether you can handle the challenges of doing two different areas of study.
Finally, make room for balance. Don't overwhelm yourself with studies. It's okay to move more slowly to finish your degree, because it can protect your well-being and leave you more time to spend with family and friends. I agree with Rachel that it's so important for you to take care of yourself, too. You will be able to help others much more once you've taken care of yourself.
I hope you find ways to manage your time and achieve your goals! Maybe these tips will be helpful for you.