Changing my Way of Living
Studying at University level, even as an undergraduate, can be exhausting. At least, I found it an terrible experience. I'm glad that I can put it behind me. But sad as well, because I know that it ought to have been an exciting time.
Instead I slept on average 5,5 hours, spend most time commuting, never managed to catch up class, disorganzed, no motivation and my stress level went through the roof. Oh yeah, and no social life whatsoever.
But I never doubted that I want to continue studying and I signed up for another degree soon after I graduated last year. I promised my self, however, that I wouldn't repeat my old mistakes. Especially, as I have now I full time job which takes priority ( it pays my very nice appartment).
But I had to change more than only how I studied to make this a better experience. I had to change my way of approaching things - my attitude. And no, I still haven't completly succeeded, in times of full blown stress I'm back to my old ways. What did you expect? But I'm getting better and better at it.
To get more out of my second university time I follow now my five „Golden Rules for enjoying University“:
Full engagement in whatever I'm doing: reading, listening, reviewing, but also family, friends and sports. I don't think humans are made for multi tasking - too many sharp objects are laying around. And if I can't concentrate because other thoughts occupy my brain, I take a short break and write everything down which bothers me. Later I cant think about it. But for now, I concentrate fully on my task.<\lj-cut>
I don't study. I review, read with pen & paper, discuss, write and hundreds more things, but I don't study. I set myself clear, measurable goals. This way, I know when I reached my goal.
Studying is too general, there is never an end in sight and you always can study more. But if you can do the problems and can explain every detail on your map, what else is there left to do?
Clear tasks are less intimidating and procrastination is not the big enemy anymore. And if yes, divide the task into even smaller parts - at some point you will be able to start.<\lj-cut>
I have to know why I do something, in particular something which occupies so much time. Juggling Job and University isn't easy, and I don't even have to consider a better half.
I start new projects fast, but rarely one makes it past the first stage. And even the enthusiasm and motivation of this first phase wanes down after a while. Every waterfall has an end and if it is reached it is up to me to find the small river to float on the water slowly. So, to continue my projects - University - I made it a constant in my life. Something which I do regularly in small steps. The motivation still exists, but now it is static, slowly flowing along. I made university a habit.
Follow a routine. And although I hate, and never seem to be able to follow, a rigid time schedule, certain activites in my life get done at the same time. Why? I made them a habit. Getting up in the morning and brushing your teeth is a habit, well I expanded my morning routine slightly to get more out of it (including breakfast). Why are habits useful? I don't have to think about it anymore and my old excuse for everything applies again: because I did it yesterday as well.<\lj-cut>
I never had any balance the first time round, barely time for my friends, and fights with my family. In fact I did nothing else apart of focusing on my universty. The only time I was able to make friends was during my interships with the university far, far away. I know that I need the balance between University/ Job and social life/ sports. Ony in April I seemed to pull it of, going out, doing sports, while managing university and job. As a result, I feel stronger physically, emotionally, and mentally.
In the end these „Golden Five Rules“ don't apply only for university, but for my life in general.
Instead I slept on average 5,5 hours, spend most time commuting, never managed to catch up class, disorganzed, no motivation and my stress level went through the roof. Oh yeah, and no social life whatsoever.
But I never doubted that I want to continue studying and I signed up for another degree soon after I graduated last year. I promised my self, however, that I wouldn't repeat my old mistakes. Especially, as I have now I full time job which takes priority ( it pays my very nice appartment).
But I had to change more than only how I studied to make this a better experience. I had to change my way of approaching things - my attitude. And no, I still haven't completly succeeded, in times of full blown stress I'm back to my old ways. What did you expect? But I'm getting better and better at it.
To get more out of my second university time I follow now my five „Golden Rules for enjoying University“:
Full engagement in whatever I'm doing: reading, listening, reviewing, but also family, friends and sports. I don't think humans are made for multi tasking - too many sharp objects are laying around. And if I can't concentrate because other thoughts occupy my brain, I take a short break and write everything down which bothers me. Later I cant think about it. But for now, I concentrate fully on my task.<\lj-cut>
I don't study. I review, read with pen & paper, discuss, write and hundreds more things, but I don't study. I set myself clear, measurable goals. This way, I know when I reached my goal.
Studying is too general, there is never an end in sight and you always can study more. But if you can do the problems and can explain every detail on your map, what else is there left to do?
Clear tasks are less intimidating and procrastination is not the big enemy anymore. And if yes, divide the task into even smaller parts - at some point you will be able to start.<\lj-cut>
I have to know why I do something, in particular something which occupies so much time. Juggling Job and University isn't easy, and I don't even have to consider a better half.
I start new projects fast, but rarely one makes it past the first stage. And even the enthusiasm and motivation of this first phase wanes down after a while. Every waterfall has an end and if it is reached it is up to me to find the small river to float on the water slowly. So, to continue my projects - University - I made it a constant in my life. Something which I do regularly in small steps. The motivation still exists, but now it is static, slowly flowing along. I made university a habit.
Follow a routine. And although I hate, and never seem to be able to follow, a rigid time schedule, certain activites in my life get done at the same time. Why? I made them a habit. Getting up in the morning and brushing your teeth is a habit, well I expanded my morning routine slightly to get more out of it (including breakfast). Why are habits useful? I don't have to think about it anymore and my old excuse for everything applies again: because I did it yesterday as well.<\lj-cut>
I never had any balance the first time round, barely time for my friends, and fights with my family. In fact I did nothing else apart of focusing on my universty. The only time I was able to make friends was during my interships with the university far, far away. I know that I need the balance between University/ Job and social life/ sports. Ony in April I seemed to pull it of, going out, doing sports, while managing university and job. As a result, I feel stronger physically, emotionally, and mentally.
In the end these „Golden Five Rules“ don't apply only for university, but for my life in general.