Each semester, whether it’s the first as a freshman or junior transfer or a continuation of previous semesters, we all make resolutions to make the most of our time here.  Our determination to do so drives us to sign up for as many clubs and extracurriculars as possible on top of our heavy course load.   With everything that Berkeley has to offer – community service, lab research, frats/sororities, music, etc. – it’s not hard to get excited over all the things we want to get involved in.  When classes start, our schedules are suddenly packed with club meetings and commitments.  It can feel overwhelming to keep up such a busy weekly schedule while succeeding in our academics.  I know that I was a victim of busy schedules and running around doing too many things.  Maintaining a rigid time management system helped me to not just survive, but more importantly to thrive, during these busy semesters. 

A big part of management means being able to prioritize your activities.  Make a list of all the activities that interest you.  Why do you want to do each activity on your list?  Is there time during a later semester to do some of these things?  Once you’ve narrowed your list down to 3-5 things, map out what your weekly schedule would look like.  Block out class times, lunch and dinner breaks, and all of the meeting times for your extracurricular activities.  If you’re studying for the GRE, MCAT, LSAT, or other graduate school entrance exam, dedicate 5-10 hours a week for studying.  This can be spaced out throughout the week or done over the weekend.  Make sure you have time to study for classes, and don’t forget to maintain a healthy and regular sleep + exercise schedule.  Your health is always your number one priority.  I like to make a physical schedule on my computer’s calendar so that I can see exactly what each week has in store for me.  Knowing what’s upcoming ahead of time can take away a lot of the stress and anxiety of starting a new week, and it can better prepare you to plan according to your schedule.

Try to include at least 30 minutes to an hour of time for yourself.  Use this time to take a step back and reflect on how things are going in your life.  Are you happy?  Unhappy?  What’s making you feel the way you’re feeling?  Make the changes necessary to your schedule in order to improve your mental and physical health.  This might mean adding or taking out some things from your schedule.

In general, know what it is that you want to do, and why.  Figure out what a typical week would look like, and be realistic – make sure you have time for friends, family, and yourself.  By being in control of how you spend your time, you can take advantage of everything Berkeley has to offer and be successful in all that you do.