so there's this old oots comic wherein the party must Pass Three Trials and before the third one, the judge asks if they're prepared and roy goes
"no, but i don't see the passage of time improving the situation."
and this lesson legitimately probably helped me get my college degree.
bc like... there's the pre-test anxiety, right? and the desperate need to study asmuchasyoucan right up until the exam, right? so it's, like, fresh and in there and all? right? and so i'm facing an exam and i'm like shit shit have i studied enough do i remember enough maybe i should go back over the notes one more time...
and roy, speaking words of wisdom, comes to me and says "will the passage of time improve this situation?"
will staring at the notes more and going over them again actually make me better remember this tomorrow? and nigh-universally, the answer was "...no." and i'd go to bed instead of cramming.
and as anyone who has been there will try to tell you, cramming doesn't work. it's the shittiest method of learning: even if it does manage to stay in your brain for long enough to get you through the test, it'll fall right back out and you'll be less prepared for the next exam or class in the sequence than you would have if you'd just taken the L and worked harder next time. but you know what does help?
like, really help? like really really really help?
sleeping on it.
stopping yourself, looking up, and saying "the passage of time is not going to improve this situation" and then going the fuck to bed. you will process what you've learned better, you will be better-rested for the exam, and you will be calmer facing it because you won't have been up all night chugging coffee and pounding words into your eyes.
dismissing the last-minute crunch with a "the passage of time will no longer improve this situation" and going to bed instead of squeezing more studying out of the remaining hours helped me so much. and it can help you too.
this has been your roy greenhilt-inspired psa for the evening, thank you and goodnight.
Hi Mindy! I’m a college student and I’m struggling to go to bed at a decent hour (think 3 am bedtimes every day) because of the amount of homework I have. Do you have any tips for time management so I can figure out how to get my homework done all during the day so I’m not losing sleep? (Any app recommendations or suggestions on how to schedule my day would be greatly appreciated). Thank you so much! I love your blog and I love seeing your posts🩷
how to get your life together & actually sleep: time management tips for college✨
hi love! 💌 first off, thank you so much for your sweet words. they genuinely made me smile. i’m so proud of you for wanting to improve your time management and prioritize your sleep (honestly, sleep is like the ultimate self-care, and you deserve it). i know college can feel like a whirlwind of assignments, deadlines, and just… life. staying up until 3 am is no joke, and it’s amazing that you’re ready to make a change. let’s make your routine feel a little more manageable and a lot more magical.
☁️ romanticize your productivity:
first thing’s first: mindset. instead of viewing homework as this scary, endless task that eats up your nights, try to romanticize it. create a cozy study ritual. light a candle, make a cute study playlist (ex: lo-fi mixed with soft acoustics), and set up your space in a way that makes you actually want to sit down and work. i know it sounds silly, but giving your study sessions a soft, aesthetic vibe can make them feel less like a chore and more like a peaceful little routine. i have a lot of posts talking about this
🌙 break down your workload:
sometimes it’s not about how much work you have but how it’s organized. take a few minutes in the morning or the night before to make a list of what you actually need to accomplish. break it down into small, bite-sized tasks. for example, instead of “study for chem exam,” write down “review chapter 4 notes,” “do practice problems,” and “make flashcards for key concepts.” checking off small tasks feels way more rewarding than staring at a big, vague to-do.
💡 create a time-blocking ritual:
i’m obsessed with time-blocking because it feels like giving each task its own little home. instead of doing everything all at once (which is just chaos), dedicate specific chunks of time to each task. for instance:
🌼 9-10 am: review lecture notes
✨ 10-11:30 am: work on that essay (no distractions)
🍓 11:30-12: take a break, stretch, grab a snack
💻 12-1: group project research
set timers to keep yourself accountable. i use the “focus keeper” app for 25-minute work sessions with 5-minute breaks. it’s surprisingly motivating!
📅 the magic of reverse scheduling:
if you know you want to be in bed by, say, 11 pm, plan your day backwards from there. schedule your evening wind-down routine (like skincare, a little journaling, and tea) and work your way back through the hours, assigning tasks in reverse. this way, you’re prioritizing sleep as non-negotiable and shaping your day to respect that.
✨ my fave apps for dreamy productivity:
notion: perfect for creating aesthetic, organized to-do lists, study schedules, and even journaling about your progress.
flora: turns studying into a game by planting a virtual tree while you focus. if you leave the app, the tree dies (no pressure, right?).
toggl: tracks your time so you can see how long tasks actually take. it’s eye-opening to realize you might be spending way more time scrolling than studying.
clockify: like a little personal assistant that tracks your study sessions and breaks. it’s simple and kind of addicting to see how productive you’ve been.
habitica: makes productivity feel like an RPG game. complete with character upgrades when you check things off. honestly, it’s too cute to resist.
💖 mindy’s personal tips:
📝 batch similar tasks: do all your note-taking at once, then all your problem-solving. your brain doesn’t have to keep switching gears.
🎯 use the “two-minute rule”: if something takes less than two minutes, do it right away (like replying to emails or organizing your notes).
🕰️ the 1-3-5 rule: pick one big task, three medium tasks, and five small ones to accomplish each day. it keeps your to-do list from being overwhelming.
✨ romanticize rest too: treat your sleep as sacred. create a pre-bed routine that you actually look forward to, like reading a few pages of a lighthearted book or doing a little night yoga.
🌸 don't forget how important 'no' is:
sometimes, we overcommit because we’re too nice to say no. it’s okay to protect your time! practice polite ways to decline extra responsibilities when you know they’ll eat into your sleep. like, “i’d love to help, but i have to focus on my assignments tonight. let’s plan something for the weekend!”
🌙 gentle evening wind-down:
your body needs time to transition from productivity mode to sleep mode. about an hour before bed, turn off your screens, dim the lights, and switch to calming activities. i like using the “calm” app for guided meditations that feel like little bedtime stories.
🌱 become a morning person (yes, it’s possible)
one trick that really works is having something to look forward to. think of a tiny, indulgent ritual that you save just for mornings. maybe it’s a frothy matcha latte with vanilla syrup, journaling in a pretty notebook, or listening to your favorite podcast while you stretch. the key is to make mornings feel like a gift to yourself rather than just the start of a grind.
set your alarm to a song that makes you feel good!! something soft and happy. bonus points if it’s different from your usual playlist because it’ll feel special. place your phone across the room so you have to physically get up to turn it off. i also love using the “alarmy” app because it makes you solve a simple puzzle before it stops ringing (annoying, but effective).
once you’re up, avoid falling back into bed by making your bed immediately. it’s like telling your brain, “we’re up now. no going back.” then, try a quick, gentle morning stretch to wake your body up without feeling rushed. mornings can actually feel soft and peaceful if you give yourself permission to take it slow.
as for getting enough sleep the night before. make it non-negotiable. treat your bedtime like an important meeting you can’t cancel. remind yourself that a well-rested mind works way better than a sleep-deprived one. it’s all about romanticizing rest as part of your productivity rather than seeing it as wasted time.
give it a week, and see how you feel. even a small shift, like waking up 30 minutes earlier, can make your day feel more spacious and less chaotic. being a morning person is just about creating tiny habits that make mornings feel like a calm beginning rather than a rushed scramble.
🌸 micro productivity
okay, let’s be real... sometimes the idea of sitting down for a three-hour study session feels completely overwhelming. that’s where micro productivity comes in. instead of blocking out huge chunks of time, break your tasks into mini-sprints that fit into the small gaps of your day.
for example, while waiting for your coffee to brew, you could make a quick list of your priorities for the day. during your commute or while you’re eating lunch, review your flashcards or skim your notes. those little moments add up, and suddenly your workload doesn’t feel as intense because you’ve been chipping away at it throughout the day.
one of my favorite apps for this is “quizlet.” you can make digital flashcards and quickly review them whenever you have a spare moment. or use “ankidroid” for spaced repetition. it’s great for subjects that require lots of memorization.
another trick? the “two-minute rule.” if a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately rather than adding it to your to-do list. this helps clear out small, annoying tasks that tend to pile up (like replying to emails or organizing your desktop).
i also love the idea of micro journaling. sometimes, when you’re overwhelmed, writing down just one thought or feeling can give your brain the clarity it craves. it doesn’t have to be a full journal entry, just a few words that capture your mood or intention.
don’t underestimate the function of small wins. every tiny task you complete builds momentum and makes the bigger assignments feel more doable. it’s like telling yourself, “i’m already being productive today. let’s keep that energy going.”
the goal is to make productivity feel more like a series of little achievements rather than one massive to-do list. micro productivity helps you stay on top of things without burning out, and it feels way more manageable when your schedule is packed.
💫 stay motivated when your energy is low
we’ve all been there. those days when your brain feels like it’s wrapped in a fog, and the idea of tackling your to-do list feels impossible. it’s okay to have low-energy days, but let’s find a way to work with them instead of against them.
first, check in with yourself. is your low energy from lack of sleep, stress, or just general burnout? sometimes just identifying the reason helps you figure out what kind of self-care you need. if you’re physically tired, maybe your focus should be on rest or low-effort tasks. if it’s more mental fatigue, try switching up your study space or doing something creative to break the monotony.
use the idea of “productive rest.” sometimes, resting doesn’t mean doing nothing. it can be as simple as switching tasks to something lighter, like organizing your notes or doing some gentle stretching while listening to a podcast related to your coursework. this way, you’re still moving forward, just at a gentler pace.
set up a reward system to motivate yourself. for example, after 20 minutes of studying, give yourself a 5-minute break to scroll through pinterest or listen to a song you love. use apps like “forest” to stay focused during your work session and then celebrate with a cute coffee break when your tree grows.
also, be kind to yourself. it’s okay if you’re not operating at 100% all the time. instead of pushing yourself to be overly productive, prioritize what actually needs to get done. sometimes, just getting one important task out of the way is enough for the day, and that’s completely valid.
remember, your energy levels fluctuate, and that’s perfectly normal. don’t pressure yourself to be endlessly productive. balance is key. the goal is sustainable productivity, not burning out from trying to do everything at once. listen to your body, adjust your pace, and know that it’s okay to take breaks when you need them.
💫 final thoughts:
it’s all about balance, being productive during the day is great, but you’re human. you can’t be on 24/7. give yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly. the goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. prioritize rest as much as you prioritize getting things done, and your mind (and grades) will thank you.
hello! the time has finally come for me to start applying to colleges and i have to be honest i really don’t know where to start. i worry that my gpa isn’t good enough for the major i want to go into and im worried about applying to too many reaches vs safeties and stuff like that :/ do you have any advice? i’ve been looking through your college advice and you seem to know like so much about this it’s just so stressful and i dont even know where to start with any of it
Hi darling,
Let me give you some big picture advice that I would and will give my own kids when the time comes for them to apply.
I think a lot of the anxiety around college and choosing schools comes from a fear of making the wrong choice.
It's a costly decision, and you're right to be nervous. That means you're taking things seriously, which is right where you need to be.
Now as someone who has worked in higher education for a long time, the way I recommend folks approach school is a little different from the way that social media and society at large approaches university.
When I am evaluating schools to determine which is a good fit, I am looking at three things: Cost, Proximity, and Future Plans.
I've including some answers to some general admission questions at the end there.
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Cost:
Going into debt for a school is a really important decision - if it will take you longer than 10 or 15 years to pay off the cost of attending the school, then it is not worth it-- unless you're trying to go into a profession that requires a doctorate afterwards, such as a medical doctor or a lawyer.
Why do I say that?
It's like this:
Let's say you're looking at a school and they are giving you financial aid.
They say they will give, say, $30,000 of financial aid.
The cost of attendance for the school for the year (this is different from just the tuition. Tuition is just the price to attend the school. Cost of attendance includes everything - housing, books, tuition, etc) is $60,000.
You're going to have to pay the difference between those numbers out of your own (or your parents') pocket.
In this case, that means you would have to pay (60k - 30k) = $30k dollars out of pocket per year.
So, over 4 years, you would need to pay $120,000.
Now, how long does it take to pay off $120k if you take out a student loan?
It depends.
But I popped some general info in the Federal Student Aid's repayment plan estimator, and I'm getting these numbers: if you pay the minimum payment (around $325 ish) per month, it'll take you probably around 25 years to pay off a $120,000 loan.
If you pay more than the minimum, it'll take you probably around 20 years.
If you're paying off school for more than like, 10 or 15 years, that school isn't worth it, my friend.
So sit down with someone you trust in your life who knows money and decide on a number you are comfortable paying back in debt (for the whole degree, not just one year - think numbers like $30,000, $40,000, $60,000).
Use this calculator with them with some bogus numbers (say you're single, 0 for dependents, and put in a yearly salary like $50,000 or smth) and see what your repayment options would look like: https://studentaid.gov/repayment-calculator/
If your top or favorite schools are going to put you past the number you are comfortable with then those should no longer be your top schools unless they offer you a FAT scholarship.
General Rules:
Public Schools (like state universities) are almost always less expensive than private schools.
Sometimes private schools offer BIG scholarships, so inquire.
Going to community college for 2 years will save you SO MUCH money and you can then get your bachelor's from a big name school if you want.
What you want to avoid, at all cost, are 'for profit' universities like Devry, Phoenix, Carrington, etc. These schools will charge you out the ass for a 'quick and flexible' education, but they often end up costing as much as or more than ivy-league schools due to their student loans.
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Proximity:
I say this lovingly, but you WILL fail your classes if you have a commute longer than 45 minutes.
So if you are planning to live at home while you're in college, that school better be within 45 minutes.
If you're planning to rent an apartment with friends in a nearby area, that's great, it should be within 45 minutes of school.
I know someone is going to show up and say 'oh, but I had a 3 hour commute when I was in college and I did just fine--' great. I'm so happy for you.
I work specifically with students about to fail out of university, and you know what comes up in damn near every single meeting besides someone not having their disability accommodations in place?
Their fucking commute.
It will eat at you.
It will ruin you.
If you can't afford to move to a place within 45 minutes of your college, that college needs to move down on your list and potentially off it unless you want to make a mistake worth upwards of $10,000.
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Future Plans:
To be REALLY real with you, my dear, the school at which you do your Bachelor's degree (the 4 year degree you go to university for) does not matter damn near at all unless you are planning to go to get another degree afterwards.
Some people get master's degrees (this is a 2-3 year degree you do after you finish your bachelor's.)
Some jobs require masters degrees like mine, or becoming a librarian or becoming a forensic scientist or, in some places, becoming a teacher.
If the master's degree you want to get into is really competitive, for example like a Masters in Counseling or a Masters in Social Work or a Masters in Public Health, then the prestige of your first university may give you a teeny, tiny nudge--but it's not huge.
If you want to go for a doctoral degree in the future--for example, you want to become a professor or a medical doctor or a lawyer or a judge or a psychiatrist etc.--then the same applies. Big universities have name recognition, networking, lab, research, and internship opportunities that smaller schools don't. But again, they're not everything.
State schools also have these opportunities, you just have to work a little harder to find them.
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I saw that you have some concerns about admissions-related questions like GPA and probably essay writing, etc.
In general, all colleges are going to ask for around the same thing:
Above a 2.0 GPA - the higher the better. My state school accepts around a 2.5 from new students.
If your GPA is below that, go to a community college for 1-2 years, get some experience and get that puppy up to a 3.0 or higher. Community colleges will not refuse you admission based on your GPA.
When you have that 3.0, you're good for most public school admissions in the US. Your scholarship opportunities will be MUCH better with a 3.0.
Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement - do NOT write some generic essay. I cannot emphasize enough to folks to be super specific.
I recommend thinking about your life and finding a little story to tell that encapsulates your struggles or your passion or your future goals and to give it to us HARD.
Then go and read that essay aloud to actual human beings and ask them if it makes sense, if it feels powerful, and what they would change to make it stronger or more about YOU.
SAT/ACT - Take it if you can afford to do so. Many schools where I am no longer require these exams for admissions, but if you do well on these it is a good sign that you'll do well in your first few semesters and sometimes admissions boards won't mind a lower GPA if you get good scores on these exams and you may get more scholarship opportunities.
Some highschools will even help you pay for your SAT/ACT - ask around!
FAFSA - Do this ASAP. The FAFSA is a form that you will complete every year that you are in school. It requires your family to provide their tax information, then the state/government uses that tax information to determine how much and what kind of financial aid they will give you.
The FAFSA determines whether you qualify for grants, loans, work-study, or scholarships.
Even if you don't get any money from the government, you should still do the application every year.
If your family's financial situation changes, you can also amend your FAFSA or submit a new one the next year to get more money (which I don't think many folks know?)
A lot of times, when you apply for scholarships later, your school will also use your FAFSA to determine how much money to give you, that's why it's super important to do it. Some schools won't even consider you for a scholarships if you don't do your FAFSA.
Always do the FAFSA before March 2nd. The sooner you do it, the more money you can qualify for.
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Choosing a school - I would say to narrow your number of schools down to 10 at this point in time.
Find 10 places you would be happy to attend.
Then go up to the top of my advice here and start working your way down asking yourself:
How much debt could I be in if I go to this school?
Can I afford to live nearby this school?
Do I need to go to a prestigious school for my future career?
Once you've done that, you should get down to around 4-6 schools, which is, in my opinion, a healthy number of schools to apply to.
Visit them.
If you can afford to do it, please please PLEASE visit them. That way you can get a sense of the vibes of the campus, if it is a safe place, what food is around, what community is around, are there apartments nearby? Are there markets?
And if you don't get in, you're going to head on over to your local community college, friend, and you're gonna kick ass for 2 years and then you're going to apply again as a transfer student with fantastic grades and a good head on your shoulders and you will get to the same end-game with half the debt.
sit down with your journal or notes app, and spill your soul onto the paper. Why are you going to college? What do you want for your future? Why? Who do you want to be? Why? Keep asking, keep digging deeper.
research the steps to your dream job, its okay if you’re not exactly sure, but give yourself something to work towards.
schedule your classes and extracurricular activities to align with your dream future.
For example: i want to become a surgeon. So I’ve made a complete college plan that includes the courses required for my major and for medical school, as well as when i am going to volunteer, shadow, work, scribe, and take the mcat.
Step two: find your vibes.
From your color scheme to your mindset, customize your avatar. Scroll through Pinterest and tumblr for as long as it takes to make a mood board that fully embodies who you want to be.
Consider how you want your room to look, your makeup, your clothes and accessories, but also how you speak and the type of people you want to invite into your life.
Step three: Be the girl who over-organizes and over-prepares
Find the syllabus for each class and put in all your assignments, due dates, breaks/holidays, and professor contact information.
I personally use:
Google Calendar: exam dates, class schedule, personal schedules and events
Notion: big assignment tracker, professor info, entire plan for college, vision board
YPT: recording study time, analyzing your study habits, calendar that syncs with google, to do lists
My notion board:
Decide how and where you are going to take notes and do your practice questions. Computer, paper, or iPad? Which apps? What structure?
Personally, as a premed student, i use an iPad and the app Kilonotes, as i get to hand write with a stylus (helps you remember the information better than typing) but the notes are stored digitally- all in one place.
I wish everyone the best luck for this new school year/ semester ! Hope we all find our people, finds ourselves, and have fun !
Things that can make your student life much easier
Having been a college student for 4 years now (crazy!), here are some things that made my life much much easier.
Earplugs.
Especially the loop earplugs, they are a gamechanger.
Laptop stand
Fantastic as it creates more space and can help with better posture as your eye-level becomes more level with the screen.
Book Stand for your desk
This is especially useful if you're using a notebook, a textbook and a laptop but have limited space for all your study tools.
Electric Blanket
A lifechanger especially in this cold winter.
Air purifier
A pen/pencil jar
Sleep mask.
Sleep quality 100% will improve with this.
Taking advantage of the student discounts available. To date I still sometimes find myself surprised by discovering just how many places offer student discounts.
A sick-day pack
This can simply be an extra packet of tea, meds, 4 cans of canned chicken noodle soup and throat lozenges, but it will definitely come in handy if you get ill and need something to tide you over until you feel better.
Before this was my agere blog, this was an advice blog, so here's some advice for...
Bigs and littles in college! (From a freshman)
This will get updated as I go through college ( ╹▽╹ )
- if you need to burn the midnight oil, use that time to do dishes and laundry as well as study or work. It keeps you sharp!
- try to do laundry on a Wednesday or Thursday when nobody else is. Trust me, weekends will be nearly impossible as chore days.
- have drawers for snackies! I have a sweet drawer and a savory drawer in my desk. It makes studying so much easier, and it makes it to where I don't eat as a cure for boredom. (Please eat when you feel like you need to though!!)
- college food is shnasty. Get some produce! For my littles, research low effort healthy meals (I recommend getting a small bag of frozen fruit and a portable blender and making smoothies/frozen yogurts! The portable blender I have actually converts into a water bottle, and makes a great discreet baba!)
- Bring a tote bag, backpack, or purse to orientation events! There will be free food, and I 100% recommend taking said free food to your dorm to hoard (I have a year's worth of chips from doing this)
- don't waste money on swag! There will be free swag!! Current free shirt count is 9 for me.
- have a check-in system with your room/suitemates! Ours is: where we're going, what time, who with, and when we'll be back. This keeps you safe!
- put your keys on a thumbtack by your door, and stick one of those phone wallets underneath it for your ID card and any smaller disability aids (I keep my "ask about my cane!" pin there)
- invest in some slides. I have cheap adidas ones, and they are amazing for when I need to do chores or take trash out.
- get. A. Rug.
- if you live in a suite like I do, don't be afraid to decorate your hallway! My suitemates and I have a welcome sign, sports calendar, and other various tidbits hung, and it really does wonders to make you feel at home. We also decorated our suite to look like a McLaren paddock!
- research your cheap locales. I took my suitemates to a free rave this weekend, and we all had a ball!
- expect things to be broken as a rule of thumb.
- use your desk corkboard!
- the freshman 15 is REAL but do not fear, listen to your body, take care of yourself, and be active as much as you can while being safe. The only way you're gonna gain the freshman 15 is by making poor decisions like partying too much and not drinking water consistently. I'm a big snacker and sugar eater, and I've not gained the dreaded 15 because of how much walking I do in between classes + how many campus events I go to, and DRINKING WATER.
- be active in your campus as much as you are able! Go to orientations, clubs, events, etc! I've met some of my best friends already doing this! Don't be sedentary if you are able.
- plan to do a hot bit of walking. For my fellow disabled brethren, look into campus shuttles if yours has one, look into metro pass discounts, find all the benches, all the shade trees, and don't wait to talk to your college's DAS!
- get some degree 72hour antiperspirant spray. I know that's like SUPER hyper specific, but trust me there are gonna be days where showering is just impossible either because of mental health, or workload, or whatever reason. But that stuff works.
