<p>Especially when one is in a very demanding major of study? I noticed, before I would work 24/7 and felt burnt out most of the time which can partially explain my bad performance on my midterms. But, would it be an even worse idea to just take one day on the weekend off completely and not even think of school? For example, today I didn’t even open my books even though I am a little behind and just relaxed, went out for a walk, grabbed some pizza and watched the news. All in all, a very good and relaxing day and I feel I am refreshed and ready to work hard this week, unlike the weekends where I just worked nonstop throughout. Sometimes, though, I kind of feel like I am wasting my time and that I should be working, given the intense workload and difficult classes I am taking this semester. </p>
<p>TL;DR: Is it bad time-management to just take an entire day off where you don’t open your books or even think about school and just relax?</p>
<p>No, not at all. Why do you think you need to think about school all the time? For me, my day off once a week is usually on Thursdays (since that’s when my only class is discussion for my Calculus class, but I never go because my TA sucks and all you do in there is go over homework that you’re stuck on, and since I usually complete the homework before discussion, I have no need to go), except on weeks where I have a midterm the next day, and then my day off without thinking about school is Saturday. In fact, taking a day off can refresh your mind and help you think better.</p>
<p>This semester that was wednesday afternoons since I didn’t have classes on thursdays. I’d have class till 3, but after that I was free. Plus weekday campus events often seem to happen on wednesday, and its the only weekday I don’t have rehearsal.</p>
<p>it really depends on how good you are at wasting time. For me, I can’t afford to waste a single day of the week. This is because when I browse youtube, or does something useless, the hours tend to go by pretty quickly.</p>
<p>If you have to work so hard at your studies that you work 24/7 and don’t give yourself time for fun/hobbies/etc on the weekends, perhaps you are in a school that is really too tough for you, or studying a major that is not using your natural abilities, intellect, and interests. Donald Trump even gives himself time to travel, go to parties and fancy dinners, etc. Things should not be so difficult that you can’t also take time to do other things!
I once had a colleague who would stay late at work all the time, leaving hours after everyone else. Our boss ended up telling her that it didn’t reflect well - that to him, he questioned why she needed to take so much time to do what others could accomplish during the regular work day…I was young and just starting out, and it made me consider that comment to her deeply. I think he was right.</p>
Nonsense. Try telling that to any engineering or physical science/math major and we wouldn’t have much engineers or scientists today. Especially at state schools like Uchicago where grade deflation is rampant and they tend to do major weeding out in the first 2 years. Not everyone has it easy as business and social science majors.</p>
<p>I do this every Saturday - 19 hours, Internship, and 2 jobs… I think I would go totally insane if I didn’t for once sit down and just have “me” time. I lacked to do that last semester and it made me feel like I was losing a piece of myself, I felt just like this working robot, as cheesy as that sounds. Never got a moment to do as I wished. Now, I take off every Saturday. I lounge around, sleep in, go for a run, read a non academic book <em>gasp</em>, catch up on stupid magazines, cook with friends, and go out later on at night. It totally refreshes me and my grades have improved because when it’s time to do work, I actually do it, instead of being distracted. However, every person is obviously going to be different in what works, so I would test it out on a “lighter” week for you.</p>
<p>^I’m majoring in Public Relations and double minoring in Music Business and Corporate Communications, so pursuing a BS in a Creative Field is easier then if I were going for something science/math based - but requires as much industry experience as possible, so I load myself up on internships. I’m putting myself through school all on loans and working (hence the two jobs) so my GPA suffers to fit everything in.</p>
<p>Of course it’s fine to take (a large majority of) one day off every week. For me that’s Friday. I usually finish up some homework that’s due on 5, head home and relax for the rest of the day. I myself am taking one of the hardest courseloads I’ve ever taken and working the hardest I’ve ever had to in my entire life but I still take a day or two off every now and then. In fact last week was my hell week (classical mechanics, linear algebra and e&m midterms, 2 homeworks for classical and quantum) and I pretty much took the whole weekend off. Looking forward to getting back to studying tomorrow :P</p>
<p>I’ve tried taking an entire day off, but, I find it only works for me about every other week. Depends on when tests and papers line up. If you are regimented enough in your study, you can have time off every day that is just for you. The problem starts when your always checking Facebook or browsing the internet while studying and really aren’t getting anything done.</p>
<p>Absolutely no problem with it and I personally suggest it. I have my schedule this semester set up so that I have 1 one class on Monday at 5:45 and no classes on Wednesday or Friday. Next semester I still have no classes on Wednesday or Friday and I also don’t have the class on Monday anymore. Honestly I think I have too much free time and find myself bored sometimes, just like I do during the summer. Which is why i’m now looking for a job or 2 to take up the time and make some extra cash on the side. I’m also looking at some internship opportunities next year.</p>
<p>I don’t know, I kind of find it hard to relax on that one day and to stop thinking about my work and if I am wasting my time, seeing as I am not doing as well as I should be. For some reason, I feel as if I should be working 24/7 until I can get my GPA up to a respectable number.</p>
<p>This all depends on what your definition of how well you should be doing is. If you’re rocking a 2.0, sure you need to hit the books more. But if you’re doing pretty well in classes but feel like you “should” be doing better (3.8+ range), I’d probably say you need a bit of a breather. </p>
<p>I’m all for academic excellence but I’m definitely not a person who will live in the library in search of that 4.0.</p>