As a full-time student at Pitt juggling schoolwork, my jobs, and a busy social calendar, some weeks are bound to be chaotic. I try to convince myself that just staying organized and not procrastinating is the only way to navigate this workload, but the truth is, you just have to figure out a system that works for you!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities, remember that you are not the only Pitt student feeling this way. College can be a lot to handle. Here’s what keeps me on track when things start to feel like too much.
Don’t Micromanage Your Own Life
Some people are really good at blocking out every hour of every day on their calendars and actually sticking to them. I, however, can only handle so much structured time before I start deviating from my own schedule. What works for me is sketching out my week in Outlook calendar — classes, shifts, assignment/project deadlines, etc. This helps me set realistic expectations. I know what my days are roughly going to look like, so I know what nights I’ll be spending at Hillman and what nights I can say yes to dinner plans with my friends.
This level of scheduling is conducive to plans changing, too! If suddenly a due date gets pushed back, or an assignment takes longer to complete than anticipated, I don’t feel like my whole schedule is ruined. Just go with the flow.
Take Advantage of Tech
Sometimes even going to class feels like the world’s hardest task. We all have our days. Try to utilize the tools you have at your disposal to make the things you must do that much easier.
For me, this means using Outlook and OneNote all the time. I update my Outlook Calendar and personal calendar with my classes, shifts, work meetings, club meetings, and anything else I think I might need a reminder for (turn notifications on so you don’t miss anything!). As an avid OneNote user, I can keep all my notes organized in OneDrive and can access them from my phone, laptop, or iPad with ease. If you haven’t set up OneDrive yet, it only takes a few minutes and makes switching between devices seamless.
Trial and Error
When I first got to Pitt, I had a hard time managing all the things on my plate. I’ve realized that it gets easier as you go. If I tried to overcommit, I didn’t get anything done. This leads to burn out. Now, I know my limits and plan around what works best for me. Tools like Microsoft To Do or even a simple Notes app can help you track what’s working and what isn’t.
It’s also important to remember everyone’s experience at school is different. Everyone’s workloads, productivity habits, and stress tolerance are going to be different. Don’t be discouraged if it takes time to find a strategy that works for you.
Always Room for Improvement
Being a student means that you are constantly growing and learning. You can’t ace an exam without studying and practicing first. Think of your student life the same way. Your schedule could look different every semester, and every time, you just have to adjust to changes and find a comfortable balance.
The trick is to start with small, easy goals so you can build long-term habits. Setting recurring reminders in Outlook helped me turn small goals into habits I didn’t have to think about. Balancing school, work, and a social life isn’t about being perfectly put together all the time; it’s about creating a routine that suits your needs.
— Liana Naraine, Pitt Digital Ambassador
