Deciding to go back to school was a challenge I thought about before taking the leap and signing up for classes. I had just started my business, still getting settled practicing as a paramedic, and finally getting comfortable being an adult who sets up her own doctor appointments.
Many questions ran through my head as I stared at my shopping cart at the beginning of this semester:
Am I truly going to do this?
What if you fall into a deep depression like last time and once again, struggle to get out of bed?
How are you going to manage the load of your classes and still make time for your other passions?
Aren’t you too old?
You’ve already messed up academically. It’s too late for you to go back and redeem yourself as a premed student.
What if you waste all this time and money and never get into medical school?
Ignoring the words of the enemy, I signed up and decided to leave the future in God’s hands. Best decision of my life!
Starting back was hard to say the least. It’s a lot!
I am definitely not the same student I was in 2016. A lot has changed with me since then. But the following habits have helped me tremendously this semester.
1. Read & Outline your syllabus
Every time I heard a professor instruct the class to read the syllabus, I would always subconsciously roll my eyes and scroll through Instagram for the rest of the introductory lecture. I always thought as long as I know the grading scale for the classes and when the exam dates were I would be good to go. I was very wrong.
Making sure to read the entire syllabus this go round and placing the important dates in my calendar so I know when to schedule work around exams have been such a blessing for me. Along with that, making sure I know what to expect with the workload for the class helped me prepare my time better and also make myself aware of any study tips that professor may have had for their course.
2. Plan everything in your phone calendar
Don’t get me wrong, I am absolutely in love with my planner. I hope to launch my own line of planners one day, but let’s be honest, digital planning is something I will always do. Our phones is something that we will always carry. Making sure my google calendar is up to date has saved me from missing assignments, doctor appointments, project deadlines, and my work schedule.
3. Make lists!
If you’re like me and you have a hard time focusing on what to do during the day, writing a list each day is something that can make or break how productive you will be. I used to cut type my reminders on my phone, but I quickly realized writing them down on a notepad was my best bet. Plus, with my own line of notepads, having the encouraging statements at the bottom made all the difference in my mood.
4. Schedule Downtime for your hobbies
It took me a while to realize that in order to be successful in all my dreams, I had to make sure I gave myself a rest every now and then. I can easily fall into a tunnel where all I do is work, study, sleep, and then wonder why I feel burned out.
Making time to do things I am interested in or trying to get better at, such as my health, content creation, and just enjoying myself as a single woman in her 20s, not only helped me emotionally but rejuvenated me spiritually.
5. Practice Discipline in Faith
This should hands down be the first and foremost tip in this post. We all know, if your spirit isn’t right, nothing goes right. Working on my relationship with Jesus has been a game changer for me this semester.
Staying consistent with prayer, serving more at church on Sundays, and making sure I keep in tough with my spiritual mentor has held me up when I have felt that this was all too much for me to bear. Realizing that the Lord has made me fearlfully and wonderfully, let me to realize that I am capable of all things with Him. And so are you! You are capable to accomplish whatever you want in life. Of course it won’t be easy. But that doesn’t mean it is impossible! Keep hustlin’! You got this!
