Three Quick Tips for Living in the Moment When You're Short on Free Moments

As grad students, we tend to measure time in terms of deadlines and assignments on syllabi rather than by how many metaphorical roses we’ve stopped to smell. It may seem nearly impossible to steal some time for yourself when you’re trekking to work, rushing to class, and schlepping to the library day after day. But that’s exactly why finding a healthy balance is so important to staying energized throughout the trials of grad school.

Here are three simple ways to sneak a little calm into your hectic schedule.

• Escape through your ears: Many people stick in their earphones and listen to their favorite music while they’re rushing from one destination to the next, but we tend to tune music out after we’ve heard it a few times. To really shift your focus and go on a mental retreat, try one of the many free storytelling podcasts available. My favorites are The Moth, RISK!, and of course, This American Life.

• Make a study date with yourself: In grad school, you really can’t avoid grueling study sessions, but you can make them more enjoyable. If you know you’re gong to be glued to your books or laptop for hours on end, get some of your favorite snacks and head to a café, park, or other peaceful study spot. The trick is to make it a conscious choice: instead of being trapped at home under piles of work, you’re sipping your favorite latte in the park while you just happen to be getting some work done.

• Put it in a postcard: Okay, I know this one is going to sound a bit hokey, but just try it. Stick a few stamped postcards in your bag and the next time you’re ten or fifteen minutes early for something, take one out and write down what’s going on around you. What do you hear, smell, feel, see, and taste? Be as descriptive as you can and by simply concentrating on that one moment, you’ll be much more aware of what’s going on around you and less concerned with all the deadlines and assignments swirling around in your head. As an added bonus, you can then mail off the postcard to your grandma or aunt Betty so they can get a glimpse of what your new life is like and let everyone back home know how great you’re doing in grad school!

If you're still feeling too frenzied, check out Susan's How to Annihilate Homework in Five Steps to get your work done more efficiently and to reclaim some of your time.