This time of year is busy for many undergraduate students looking for campus organizations to join, internships to secure and jobs to land. Recruiting cycles for each one go by quickly, so time management can make or break your goals. But don’t panic — consider these tips to get recruited and stay rebooted for another round of applications galore. 

Have a plan 

Make an actual list of the short-term and long-term plans you need to fulfill, ordering them based on level of importance. Note down the resources, preparation time and contact information you need in order to make each one happen. You should also use this planning period to ask questions, so all you need to focus on later is the end result. 

Remind your future self 

Application deadlines and interview dates might get lost with lectures and work schedules. Two methods for keeping track of everything are setting digital reminders and filling out a calendar. Get a feel for which you prefer, or try using both digital reminders as well as tangible ones. You never know when the ping from a notification and an event highlighted on paper might save you from a missed opportunity.

Differentiate between game time and downtime 

When the going gets tough, some may slip into vices that deter from planned goals. An important part of keeping yourself organized is being able to mentally prepare yourself for game time — the moments when you need to really crank out productivity. If you find yourself getting distracted, try a change in atmosphere that allows you to physically distance yourself from people or activities that don’t support your growth.

And when you find yourself with some downtime, invest in activities that won’t impair whatever work you need to accomplish the next hour or day. 

Stay juiced 

Your mind might be on a roll, but your body will come to a halt if you don’t have energy. Use the many water fountains and bottle fillers on campus to hydrate like your life depends on it. Factor in the weather, level of exercise and overall health to determine what daily water intake looks like for you. Also try to maintain an eating schedule that replenishes nutrients you need to function and keeps you going during hectic times. 

The 10-minute rule 

The reality of mitigating academics, work and life falls nothing short of intense. But where does your well-being come into play with all this? 

Start with a 10-minute rule, which means you allot at least 10 minutes each day just for you — no exceptions. This might mean 10 minutes of meditation, unplugging with music or even sipping a cup of freshly roasted coffee. The key is sticking with it, no matter how many tasks tug at your attention. If you can increase the 10 minutes, great — that’s one more minute you took to remind yourself you are more than a worker or student. 

While these suggestions cannot guarantee the recruitment process yields perfect results, they will make your schedule feel less like a juggling act as you put your best foot forward.