Productivity 101: Time management

Full disclosure: even though this post is on time management, it has been in my list of drafts for a long time. Nevertheless, I get to it now! If you're new (or even old) to tackling multiple competing priorities at the same time you have at some point struggled with time. Just feeling like there's…

(Falling) behind!

Fall is in full swing. But for university students it is also a time of great struggle. The autumnal magic outside is gripping but you are stuck on your desk grappling with a paper. Starbucks is offering double rewards on PSLs but you have two midterms in a day.

How to beat the fall blues

The month of October is invariably when I burn out. Over the last few years, this month has become emotionally, mentally and physically taxing due to a number of reasons. As school and university got busy, I basically took up a lot to do in summers: high school programs, part time jobs, summer classes and…

Productivity 101: how I use my academic planner

I remember the old school days in Pakistan when our course book and notebook sets would include a 'diary'. It was to remember assignments, dates and deadlines. If only they came in pretty pink paisleys or funky geo prints - they didn't, thanks to school logos. So, as soon as my school didn't ask me…

The what, why and how of journaling

I have had an on-and-off relationship with writing about my life. Be it blogging or journaling, I'd have phases of doing lots and then nothing. I had to find a purpose and its meaning in my life. Recently as I got back to blogging, I also got back to focused journaling. The past few years…

3 things I have learned from working as a student

Ever since I started university in North America, I wanted to work alongside studying. I had done a long internship at The Express Tribune throughout high school so I knew that was something I can manage. When I finally got to work upon moving to Vancouver, I left no position (which I qualified for) unapplied.…