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Course Sharing

Overloaded Schedule

"I barely have time to eat and sleep."

As a student, you'll navigate course assignments and tests while balancing all the other important parts of your life, including family and friends, work schedules, and social activities.

Having multiple and competing commitments can leave you feeling exhausted—and students who are stressed out or overwhelmed are at a higher risk of using course-sharing and homework help sites to "save time".

Tips to Overcome an Overloaded Schedule

Use one of these tips the next time you're overwhelmed by your schedule:

 

Brain Dump

  • Write out all the things that are taking up space in your mind right now (e.g. urgent due dates, requests from work colleagues, invitations to events, unfinished chores, etc.). Get every last bit of stress out of your mind.
  • Highlight what's urgent. Urgent items include things like deadlines for assignments!
  • Prioritize based on what's both important and urgent. Sometimes, a task might be important to you, but you don't need to be complete it right away. For example, an assignment due at the end of the week is important and urgent; spending time on a hobby is important, but not urgent. While the urgent task should be done first, make sure you block off time in your calendar to work on the important things that aren't urgent.
  • Consider your effort. Sometimes, it can he hard to get started when you're overwhelmed by too many big tasks—this can lead to procrastination. In some cases, focusing on small tasks that require minimal time and effort can help motivate you to take on the bigger tasks.

Decorative. Wall covered with colorful Post-it Notes with upcoming tasks written on them. Tasks include the following items: Download photos, order the book, lunch with Tom, check bill, meeting 10:00, order pizza, urgent call!, pay bills (underlined), buy mil, listen new album. One Post-it Note is blocked by a hand, and all that's visible is the word "Mom".

 

Learn to Say "No"

It can be hard to say "no" to new opportunities or exciting events when you're dealing with an overloaded schedule. But saying "no" can give you the space you need to get those urgent and important tasks done.

Watch the video below to learn some tips on how to say "no" in a way that works for you:

Mental Health Supports at Sheridan

If you’re having difficulties managing stress, adjusting to college, or feeling sad and hopeless, please reach out to the Counselling Services team on Sheridan Central.

Sessions are free and confidential.