Like any new adventure, college life has its ups and downs. Towards the latter half of the semester, you may feel that you are stuck in a whirlwind of endless deadlines, meetings, and other obligations that fill every single second of the day. These so-called “hell weeks,” which are deadlines packed with multiple exams, papers, club events, and even two or three work shifts, are bound to test your limits. Don’t fret! With a few well-thought-out strategies, you can overcome these seemingly insurmountable hurdles. Having endured my fair share of these chaotic weeks, I know how mentally exhausting they can be, and I want to share four tips from my experience of bizarre storytelling to help you succeed in challenging times.
- Prioritize Like a Pro
When you are faced with a filled schedule, attempting to do everything tends to lead to fast-acting exhaustion. In this case, the most important thing is to prioritize appropriately. The best approach would be to create a list of all of the events on any given day, such as classes, assignments, club activities, different social engagements, etc., and arrange all of them according to how important they are. In the case there is an important exam in two days, it overshadows a club meeting or a casual hangout and is deemed of higher importance.
In the past semester, I juggled a week when I had a shift at my part-time job, a research paper due, and an event for a student organization I am a part of. I chose to forgo the event, as it was only a check-in of sorts, and spent that time working on my paper. I felt that it was a tough decision to make, but in the end I was grateful and reached out to the organizer, explaining my position and promising to provide updates later. That decision allowed me to significantly reduce my stress hours and put in greater effort into my paper. Stepping back is always an option, but make sure to use the right words and tools, because focus will be granted.
- Cut Out Time Wasters
In this modern world, we all seem to have developed some habits that are extremely unproductive. Watching videos on TikTok, starting new series, or texting friends about random topics are only some of the distractors that, during the hell weeks, one needs to especially focus on limiting. A time tracking application like Controlio is one of the best tools that can be used to track time. It tracks the day as you go about it and presents various ways for you to be more efficient.
I thought I was only taking short breaks from social media until I saw the time tracker, which said I was spending over an hour a day on Instagram. Oh no! After that, I tried setting a limit for myself and using the 15 minutes I set aside for Instagram to go on short walks instead. These changes worked because I was still able to stay energized for my study sessions. Try tracking your time for a day. You never know what you might discover.
- Stay Organized
A chaotic week isn’t as daunting when you have a plan. Google Calendar is my go-to– I use it to color-code my classes, study blocks, and other commitments. Having my week displayed visually helps me identify open slots. Your physical environment matters as well; a cluttered desk can increase your anxiety levels. I spend five minutes every morning tidying my desk, and that improves my calm for the day.
If you are a fan of technology, modern time-tracking tools like Apploye and Toggl can help in optimizing your organization and productivity. These apps allow you to divide projects into smaller tasks, set deadlines, and track your progress. This is helpful for group projects or juggling between school and work. Whether you prefer pen and paper or digital, a bit of structure helps organize even the most chaotic calendars.
| Tool | Key Features | Best For |
| Google Calendar | Visual Scheduling, color coding, reminders | Students, busy schedules |
| Controlio Software | Time tracking, activity logs, goal setting | Distraction management |
| Apploye/Toggl | Break tasks, track progress | Group projects, multitasking |
- Protect Sleep
Pushing sleep aside during exam week can be an attractive option, but skipping sleep comes at the expense of focus, emotional balance, and memory—all vital for doing well on exams and keeping you sane. Try to get a minimum of six hours a night, even during busy periods. Studying a bit every day will help eliminate the need for last-minute all-nighters.
That’s what I learned the hard way in my freshman year. I pulled an all-nighter studying for a history test and managed to forget vocabulary during the test due to brain fog. Now, I make sure to sleep and stop drinking caffeine after 3 PM. Simple routines—like reading or soothing music—make it easier to sleep, even in stressful times.
Conclusion
In college, hell weeks are a rite of passage and a rite of endurance at the same time, but they do not have to break you. Staying organized while prioritizing what matters, avoiding distractions, protecting your sleep, and focusing on what needs to be done, even the most hectic schedules can be handled with poise. These methods reduced my chaotic weeks into sane ones, and I’m sure they can do the same for you. Always remember to seek assistance when it becomes necessary, whether from friends, campus resources, or professors. You’re more capable than what belief suggests, and with these tips, hell week can be faced and emerged from ready to take on the world.