Giving up is the most important thing a student will learn. As college students, our workload increases a lot from high school and we lack the constant support we once had for turning in assignments not only on time but actually well done. 

Strip all of that away and we’re left only to our own devices. For a lot of us, this is the first time we have really had to manage ourselves — some have more experience than others. 

As a junior in college juggling a full course load and extracurriculars, I absolutely know what it feels like to bite off more than you can chew. 

In high school, I stressed myself out to no end about finishing every assignment. Now, my philosophy is to prioritize the most important things first, finish them to the best of my abilities, then move on to the next.

I employ a three-tier system for my to-do list.

The first tier is the most important, and it comprises assignments due today and assignments worth the most points. When I sit down to work, this is what I tackle first. Most days, I work through this work and then table it.

The second tier is assignments due tomorrow and the next day. This tier includes some prep work. If I make it into this tier during a work session, I do the assignment worth the most points. 

The third tier, which I almost never get to, is assignments due in the near week and other prep work. I can’t remember the last time I had enough time to get here. 

However, most days I work entirely off the first tier — I do my work the day of or in the wee hours of the night before, and this is me on a pleasant week!

I wish I could keep myself more scheduled and ahead of the game, but I struggle every single day with time management. 

The best way to keep up with your homework is to not have a hurricane-level mental breakdown over your schoolwork. If you can believe it — cry-walking through a Kroger does not finish your German homework. 

To maintain my mental health and to at least partially keep up with my work, sometimes I just have to take the L. That discussion post was just downgraded to tier three — I cannot handle it today.

This strategy has taught me how to let go even if just for a couple of hours to leave a little more space in my mind to calm down and think.

Most people would never tell you to not do your work as solid advice. You’re paying thousands for your classes after all — it would serve you to do the work. 

However, I never claimed to give you some high-ground morally fantastic advice. I’m just trying to help you survive. 

Skip that assignment. Turn your work in late. Just get it done. Whatever it takes.