If you are looking to save five minutes in your busy college life, spend a few minutes reading this article and reviewing the additional links.
1. Put your phone away
Before starting the process of going to bed for the night, put your phone away five minutes beforehand. Not only will this speed up the getting ready process, but it should also help to clear your mind before going to sleep. You should also try to stay off your phone thereafter. It’s not good for you to be checking for one last text or getting in one last scroll through Instagram after you are all ready for bed. It is scientifically proven it will help you sleep better. So, before brushing your pearly whites, it’s smart to turn your cell phone completely off. No excuses! Use an actual alarm clock to wake up in the morning rather than your cell phone. It may even save you more than five minutes in the long run. Meanwhile, to help you fall asleep, try to drink a cup of tea, read a book, or meditate.
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2. Make a list
Staying on task can be really tough. It’s a good idea to make a to do list every week, or even every day. This can be done on a fun, colorful sticky note on your desk or in a neat, organized agenda. Then, instead of stressing for an hour on where to start, you’ll have free time to relax and tackle things one at a time. I’ve been accused more than once of being a bit of a perfectionist, so I want to get everything done right away – it’s not always a positive thing. Realistically, I need to plan ahead and work on things one at a time.
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3. Take it out, and put it back
It may seem small, but you should pick up or put away something when you walk into a room for the first time that day. It will save so much time in the long run because you won’t have to set aside a cleaning day as often. Or, when you do, there will be less to do. There are lots of ways to get motivated, and I recommend checking out the Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin. She even has podcasts about happiness, which you may have time for if you follow these five steps. Don’t procrastinate keeping your room, desk, kitchen, and bathroom clean!
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4. Cut time on small tasks
We all do indulge a little, but it’s only a real problem when it gets out of hand. You should try to cut something short that you tend to exaggerate. For example, your shower does not need to be a year long. I am the worst at this, so I understand that it is easier said than done. But, save your time and save the Earth with a shorter shower!
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5. Skip food prep
Food prep is a real time suck if you let it become one. I recommend you make food in bulk and go to the grocery store ONCE a week. When I lived with my parents, I was one mile from a Kroger. For that reason, I would go to the store whenever I needed something. That is neither time efficient nor fuel efficient. Rather, plan to go to the grocery every Sunday, then prepare all your meals for the week then. If you don’t know where to start, try batch cooking.
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What do you do to save a few minutes here and there? What do you do for yourself in those minutes spared? Tell us in the comments!