Let's talk About a Productive and Organized Start to Your Week

Let's talk about a productive and organized start to your week. Let me let you in on a little secret...the best place to start on a productive week is not on Mondays rather on SUNDAYS! Trust me, I learned the hard way but having organizational tips and tricks can really be beneficial to your daily routine. By getting up early and starting your day you allow yourself to take a chance on life and enjoy the beautiful things it has to offer. You empower your body to continue and/or start a routine that will not make you dread that 7 am alarm on Monday mornings and you will eventually start to embrace it to where it won't feel like such a task anymore. Use Sundays as an organization and self-love day to prepare and plan so when Monday comes around you have nothing but good vibes and a positive attitude! Here are a few tricks I use to balance work, school, my organization, and self-love to make the very best of my busy weeks.

First things first, LAUNDRY! I am definitely a busy bee throughout the week and my dance and workout clothes can really pile up. After waking up and doing my daily morning routine and getting my life in order on paper, my laundry is separated and getting done. There is no better feeling in the world then waking up on Monday morning with so many options on what you can wear to take on the day because all my clothes are nicely folded and put away.

While your Laundry is going through the spin cycle, start organizing your week and putting it in an order that makes the most sense to you. I recommend you getting your very own life agenda, where everything and anything you need to do throughout the week gets written in so you can keep track of what you do, when you do it and you won't be able to double book. My favorite agenda would have to be the Kate Spade Planner color: B/W which ranges from $20-$35 but totally worth the investment. This is how I go about the organized chaos of my life:

Step 1: Buy yourself an agenda that describes you and especially your personality! Let it radiate with light and energy so that you feel motivated and inspired to push through and get great things done. 

If a hard copy agenda just isn't your style or you want to start off small there are plenty of free online websites that provide for you the same services! I recommend Google Calendar or Apple Calendar the syncs all your events and dates from your phones to your laptops so your never out of the loop!

Step 2: Put all your school work, organization events, meetings, assignment due dates, exams and anything that requires either your presence or mental attention down accordingly. Trust me it makes a difference then trying to keep it all in your head. 

What is your work schedule like? Once you are able to solidify that schedule it will make it easier to plan around events and outings that make you genuinely happy and give you a break sometimes. I personally only work weekends, this is because my school schedule is so hectic Monday through Friday. I always go in on Sundays and to keep my spirits high I always remind myself to put my best foot forward and go in with a positive outlook. Going into my shift with a positive attitude not only occupies time to where it flies by but the costumers are happy which means I'm happy!

Ideally, food prepping is what your supposed to do on your Sunday evenings but as a swamped college student who is probably involved in organizations, greek life, a job, and probably so much more your best bet to a quick on-the-goal meal is the pre-prepped meals from the grocery stores. Buying fresh fruits and vegetables might be a little more expensive but are are great substitution snacks to that bag of potato chips in your cabinet. 

While you're organizing your weekly schedule, also start planning and creating a weekly budget plan. Sometimes it all becomes overwhelming when it comes to money, but always remember to take the trips and enjoy the memories because the money will replenish itself one day. Even though I believe on taking spontaneous adventures I also am a firm believer  to keep yourself on a budget so that you can practice good savings while being able to survive on your own. I separate my paychecks into these categories: 

• Utilities 
• Household Necessities
• Food/coffee
• Around the city cash

After a little bit of practice I think I have this down to a tee. My utilities are paid minutes after the bill comes in and can run from $20-$40 for water and electric. Household necessities usually is the second most expensive aspect of my life after food and that is where I really have to buckle down and stick to the plan. As was told to me, when going into Target you don't know what you need until Target tells you. 

Exam dates! These dates are the MOST IMPORTANT dates of the semester, they determine a successful GPA and whether or not you make the cut for the Dean's List. If planned far enough in advance, you can set yourself up to be productive and proactive and take on any exam and/or challenges that are thrown your way. Here are some examples of how it goes in my head:

• On Monday's and Wednesday's I will study between 1-3pm for my 3:30 Advertising Exam on Thursday. 
• On Thursday's between 5-6 I will write my blog rough draft and have it finalized Saturday Evening

I solidify these dates on paper and pretend as if they are courses I am enrolled in taking. It taught me to be accountable for my tasks and motivates me to get them done in that time frame so I can spend my free time doing things I enjoy with my girlfriends. 

Lastly, my favorite task of them all SELF-LOVE! Yes, you deserve to take a moment for yourself and take it in! College only happens once so enjoy every moment and also relax, know you're doing the very best you can! Put on your face mask, turn on your favorite album (side-note: mine is Billie Ellish's 2019 album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go), and drink a cup of your favorite tea. You deserve to spoil yourself after all your hard work and regenerate for the week. Try out new hobbies, blog, read a book, take the time to get out of your comfort zone, the risk you take will lead you down a path you probably could never expect. There is nothing better than taking a breath and focusing on yourself for a hot-minute.

A start to a productive week should not be boring! I am fortunate enough to go to a university where a beautiful river goes straight through campus. Find your campus's outdoor hub and make it your very own place of relaxation and comfort. Finding a coffee shop where you can get some caffeine in you and enjoy the tunes. You never know, you might even create the ultimate studying playlist! Keeping consistency and setting these dates on Sunday will allow no choice for you but to sit down and get these tasks checked off your list. Trust me, once you get them done you will feel so accomplished. 

 Coming Up 

Monday, April 29, 2019: Let's Talk About My Reverse Bucket List

What have I experienced in these past four semesters of college that I had always dreamed of accomplishing? Stay tuned and find out! 

New Posts Coming Every Monday!

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