9 Tips on How to Stay Energized for Grad School

Working and studying at the same time is a real hassle. Getting up as early 5 am on some days to prepare for work at 9am and then proceed to your class at 5pm only to be done at about 10pm isn't really my idea of living a golden life. Well, if what I just described sounds like a typical day for you, then you must be craving a balance. Voila! Today is your lucky day. I can confidently say that I have been there and done that.

Here are a few tips that promise to keep you energized up until you fall into bed at 11pm.

1. Make sure your alarm clock is set daily- considering how tired you might be when you get home at night, there is a huge tendency to over-sleep into morning. I usually set my alarm for 5:00am. This gives me time to prepare my meals and do some much needed meditation. Waking up late has a way of getting me anxious and this affects your day in many ways. I am sure you must have experienced it yourself.

2. Turn on the music – I usually turn my Pandora app on as soon as I wake. My favorite category is the 90’s love song. Starting my day with some good music has a magical way of keeping me sane and happy. I listen to music all the way until I get work.

2. Do some Exercise- If you feel up to it, do get your heart pumping with a bit of cardio. I usually run for about 20 to 30 minute before I take my bath. Keeps my body energized

3. Have a nice breakfast- Whatever you are used to having for breakfast is fine but make sure you feel satisfied.

4. Show up early at work- It keeps you coordinated and allows for enough time to organize deal with your duties. Besides, you get to score extra points with your boss.*wink*.

5. Stay happy- I usually watch comedy clips on YouTube or Facebook during my lunch break. In my opinion, laughter is key in making one feel energized. I try my best to laugh as much as I can (in private). It keeps me happy and reduces stress.

6. Be early to work- If it is possible to get off work before the traffic builds up, by all means do. Getting to class early allows me get some time to interact with my classmates and my professor. It is helps to keep me up to date and network

7. Eat something- Stop briefly to get dinner or snack before class. Something healthy you can nibble on while the lecture is going on is a good choice. You do not want to lose concentration in class as a result of hunger.

8. Go Home- After classes, head straight home. No branching off! No drinking!

9. Before going to bed daily, I usually write down all the things I need to accomplish for the next day or two with a few notes on the first steps to take to accomplish each one. This exercise usually takes me a little over 15 minutes. I write things down like class assignment, office meeting preparation. Writing things down helps me to remember and more importantly, it helps me visualizes all my pending jobs, that way I can sleep without worry.

This is how I manage to stay on top of ‘Gradschool’. Stress-free and Focused.

Let us know your tips on how to stay stress-free while working and studying. We love to hear from you!