How I Successfully Handled 29 Credits in 1 Semester
By: Srishti Jha
Tags: College Credits, High Performance, College, Early Graduates, Productivity

If you clicked on this article, you are probably wondering how on earth I managed to handle 29 credits in 1 semester (and this was while working 2 part-time jobs). Few people even attempt such a feat, however I am here to show you exactly how you can accomplish any daunting challenge you set your mind to. I would not consider myself to be the brightest cookie in the jar. I have never been the student that can ace any exam with minimal studying. In fact I often have to work twice as hard, but I must admit that my greatest strength lies in grit. Taking the path less traveled not only excites me, but allows me to differentiate myself in today’s competitive market. Over time, I uncovered a system that amplifies productivity while mitigating risks like burnout.

1) Drive

I often hear the advice that drive is propelled by passion, but I disagree. Finding your ultimate passion is a fool’s errand. No one has a glamorous story, not even Steve Jobs. I feel like this philosophy is cemented by the Disney movie Soul (and my new favorite movie — highly recommend watching this if you have not already). Passion takes time, dedication, and patience. It is impossible to know what you are “meant to do’’ and attempting to find it through deep introspection and trial and error causes more harm than good. Additionally, hastily committing to a highly specific mission is dangerous and the stem of more confusion. Thinking big without acting small is unrealistic and a recipe for achieving nothing at all. That being said, it is important to have a level of conviction on what you want to do. Instead of focusing on finding your passion, the key is to establish your “why” at a granular level. Identify why you want to complete your specific task at hand. Why are you aspiring to obtain an A in a class? Why do you want the next promotion? These incremental whys are what drive us to successfully accomplish our tasks at hand. I know my story behind finding my drive is probably not as glamorous as you hoped, but this is reality.

2) Time Batching

Time batching is an extremely effective way to hone in our focus and accomplish tasks in the shortest amount of time possible. I personally find that 90 minute chunks work best for me, however I know the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of work and 5 minute breaks) is a popular one as well.

Incentivizing yourself with a break at the end of the day is a great way to get work done early while prioritizing a balanced and fulfilled life. I love rewarding myself after a productive day with a delicious (and nutritious home cooked meal) and Netflix, with my essential oil diffuser on in the background (cinnamon and lavender are my favorite flavors). On Fridays and weekends, a great incentive could be a night out with friends.

3) Rejection and Prioritization

Rejection is a sensitive topic. I feel like there are two camps when it comes to saying no — those who embrace it and those believe in saying “yes” to everything. There is value and truth to both and I believe in the concept of saying “yes and”. This is actually an improv technique, but it is also an effective way to protect your time while strengthening relationships. Rejection is an essential part of maintaining our values, and hence our identity. According to Mark Manson, the author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***, the desire to avoid rejection at all costs, to avoid confrontation and conflict, and to make everything cohesive and harmonious is a deep and subtle form of entitlement. Entitled people, because they feel like they deserve to feel great all the time, avoid rejecting anything because doing so might make themselves or someone else feel bad. And because they refuse to reject anything, they live a valueless, pleasure-driven, and self-absorbed life. I wholeheartedly agree with this philosophy and believe that rejection is a crucial life skill. The saying “you are the average of the five people closest to you” can’t be more true. Whether you like it or not, the people closest to you subconsciously influence your values, the way you think, and the way you act. However, this extends beyond friends and family — it also includes the content you consume. Prioritizing positive content and tasks of higher importance and urgency is imperative to amplifying your productivity and satisfaction.

4) Recharging

Pushing ourselves to be our most productive self puts us at risk for burnout, so it is vital to take preventative steps to keep our motivation high. I am a huge advocate of reading and highly recommend picking up books in your field of choice, self-help and biography genres. However, I feel like fiction is often neglected. Turning towards fiction books instead of television reduces screen time, which is great for our well-being. There are many benefits to reading fiction including critical thinking, improving vocabulary, developing a more pronounced worldview, and enhancing our EQ. Traveling is not the only way to expand your horizons, learn from different cultures, traditions, and people. Reading can be a gateway to experience and see things that will deepen your soul and enrich your life. A few of my favorites are So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport, Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferris, Lean In by Sherly Sandberg, and Normal People by Sally Rooney.

Pet therapy is also an incredible way to recharge 😉. Maintaining our mental health is pivotal. People will come and go in your life, but the person who will always be there is you. Nurture your most important relationship — the relationship with yourself.

The most challenging aspect of this system is focus and consistency. On average, it takes about 3 months for a new behavior to become automatic. By applying these tips continuously, you are forming lifelong habits that will pay dividends throughout your career. I adhered to these tips religiously during the fall 2018 semester I took 29 credits and worked 2 part-time jobs, and over the summer of 2020 while taking 27 credits and pursuing a summer internship. It was a massive success as I got good grades without feeling overwhelmed at any point. I say this not to brag, but to prove that this system works and add some credibility. These tips allowed me to focus on achieving my goal of graduating at the age of 20 with 150 credits for CPA eligibility. I am driven by a fervent desire to enter the “real world” early and gain valuable experience to build career capital, and thus enhance my economic value. I recognized early on that I thrive on high workloads as I love to stay engaged. Staying productive makes us feel empowered, because we make an impact every single day. I struggled with finding an optimal productivity system in the past, but I strongly believe that this method can catapult anyone with ambition and grit into success.