Students blog

Adjusting to back-to-school is something many students struggle with. When you go back to school after any break, it can still feel like the return from summer; you think time is unlimited, and there is no set schedule. Then reality hits: classes, homework, and, for some, work. These responsibilities can hit you all at once.

For me, the hardest part was waking up for early morning lectures and turning in assignments on time. It was a shock, but it pushed me to find a way to stay on track and succeed.

Reset Your Mindset

I noticed that it’s not just your body that must adjust to the new routine; your mind does, too. Over a semester break, we tend to have a more relaxed mindset and do not place the same importance on our usual priorities. It is easy to carry this mindset back to school, and you forget how fast deadlines approach.

I had to remind myself that I could not carry that relaxed mentality all the time. I began to plan and write down my tasks and timelines to stay on track. This made an enormous difference. It helped me get into a rhythm, and my work now seems less stressful.

Move Your Body

Focusing on my physical well-being also helped me adjust. Working out during the school week helps me feel active and not just feel drained from schoolwork. When I cannot work out, I feel a little more overwhelmed.

Working out helps me release tension and keep my head clear. I also focus on what I eat, avoiding junk food and sugar, so I do not feel drained in the middle of the day.

Remember Your Why

Finally, it helped to remember why I’m in school in the first place. My purpose is not only to complete assignments until I’m exhausted; it is about working toward my future.

Keeping my goals in mind helps me stay motivated. I remind myself of the future I am chasing and that helps me focus. Returning back to school can be hard, but having a plan to adjust makes everything easier.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started! 

As a first-year freshman, time management has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve had to improve on. Not only was adjusting to a heavy-loaded schedule a new experience for me but also balancing it with a remote job like the one I’m lucky to have with Pearson made it even tougher. As incoming freshmen, setting aside time for certain tasks can be difficult since we’re used to having our school schedules dictated for us in high school. I was one of those people who thought time management was easy, but as the days went on, I quickly realized how easy it is to fall behind. Here, I want to show how I’ve managed my school, work, and personal time over these past two semesters as a college student.

My week really starts on Sunday. That’s when I get a preview of what’s ahead for the week. I begin by checking my Pearson email (which is something I always make sure to do), then I check my school email. After that, I go through Canvas to see if I have any upcoming quizzes or tests. If I do, I start reviewing that subject the same day. To get ahead, I also try to complete at least one assignment from each class on Sunday so I have more flexibility during the week. The first step to managing your time is knowing what’s ahead!

My schedule is structured around waking up between 4:00-5:00 a.m. Monday through Friday for physical training with the Ranger Challenge team. This plays a huge role in how I go about my day because it determines my sleep schedule. Sleep is something college students often overlook, but when days become stressful and exhausting, it’s what keeps you going. Luckily, most of my classes don’t start until 9:00 a.m. (except for my lab on Wednesdays), so I use that extra time in the morning to study and complete assignments. Before my daily class block, I also check my emails to make sure there’s nothing urgent I need to take care of. I’ll be honest—I usually take a quick nap after physical training, but I make sure not to overdo it, so I still have time to get work done.

My school day usually ends between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m., and after that, I make the smart decision to prioritize some personal time—by hitting the gym. Depending on the day, I’m there until about 4:00-5:00 p.m. After that, I have dinner while checking my emails, reviewing Canvas, and studying until about 8:00 p.m. I then give myself some free time before heading to bed around 9:00-9:30 p.m., after, of course, showering from the gym.

At the end of the day, there’s no perfect blueprint for time management. As college students, we all get caught up in fun activities outside of schoolwork, and that’s okay. The key is making sure you leave enough room to complete your assignments and job responsibilities. Sleep is just as important, and staying ahead of your schedule helps you prepare for the unexpected.

Do you have a compelling story or student success tips you’d like to see published on the Pearson Students blog?  If you are a college student and interested in writing for us – click here to pitch your idea and get started!