How to Get Your Life Together

It’s March, deep into the school year; however, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a model student. Many of us still struggle with motivating ourselves to do the work we need to do when we need to do it. But hey, it’s a new year and a new you. So, here are five free tools to help you get your life together.

1. Google Calendar

Got a crazy schedule but can never seem to remember all of it? This basic necessity is the thing for you. Google Calendars can help keep track of your upcoming events (and use them to calculate how much homework time you have… and how much time for procrastination). Also, calendars can be shared between people, making it even easier to collaborate.

2. HabitRPG

Got a habit that needs to be broken? HabitRPG may be your solution. By awarding coins and experience points for good behavior and by taking away health for bad behavior, HabitRPG turns your life into a game. Level up and collect items as you progress, and before you know it, you’ll have that bad habit shut down.

3. FocalFilter

FocalFilter is just one of many programs designed to keep you focused on your work. By choosing which sites to block and how long to block them for, you can prevent yourself from wasting hours away in a pool of memes and Vines. Blocks can be removed early, but that requires restarting your computer, and that requires effort.

4. Facebook Newsfeed Eradicator

If you need to avoid the sinkhole that is a Facebook timeline, but still need to message people for homework help, Newsfeed Eradicator is here for you. The Google Chrome extension replaces your timeline with a motivating quote yet still allows you to receive notifications and to message others.

5. Pomodoro Technique

If you just can’t force yourself to sit down for a couple of hours and work nonstop, then maybe it’s time to try Pomodoro. This technique (named after the Italian word for “tomato,” for some reason) alternates periods of work with periods of rest. Standard timing is twenty-five minutes of work and then a five minute break. After four work periods, or pomodoros, allow yourself a longer break (fifteen to thirty minutes).

So what are you waiting for? Get to it.