Have you ever found yourself wondering where all the time has gone? As students, you have classes to attend, assignments to hand in, a part-time job, and catching up with friends—all that can be overwhelming. But what if the secret to maximizing your time was using less energy instead of doing more? This article, inspired by a powerful YouTube video, examines seven things you can quit to give back your energy, focus and dreams. Let’s find out together how such small changes in your life as a student can lead to major achievements.
Surround Yourself with Energy Boosters
Similarly, are group gatherings meant to inspire you? or sap all your energy? You might be dealing with those who are termed as “energy vampires”. These are the sort of people who: only talk to you when they need something, drag you down when you are exceedingly passionate about a new goal, or—worse—complain 30/7. Remind yourself that, as a student, your energy is your superpower. Assess your social circle: Are these “friends” supportive? Do my peers motivate me? If the answer is no, you’re free to cut them off. You really don’t need to go grab a coffee with a whiner. Eliminating these sorts of relationships allows you to form new ones. Friends who will make study groups or post midnight conversations exhilarating and supportive of your pursuits.
One needs to consult individuals who have had practical experience with success in the area you seek advice in as they offer detailed explanations to coverups such as textbook knowledge.
For example: “If you feel stuck on a decision, like getting a side job or a new major in class, who would you reach out to as a possible helper or guide?” You might feel tempted to call a friend or a family member but don’t them know, it will result in a stunner for you because sometimes they offer basic help, tell you sideways when hitting the step you wish to forward to. There is a need for code crunchers to ask build coders be a s in notion without knowing the process of coding: instead seek template people who scraped the codes online and built codes you like or whoever whose codebook play around with them or shelfs successful templates to build on.
Success does give hints. You just need to follow paths that are already laid out for you.
Own Your Choices, No Excuses
It is easy to think like a victim when you repeat the mantra: “The professor didn’t like my presentation, that’s why I got a bad mark; I just got stuck in traffic; My partner in the group project was utterly useless. ” In my experience, reluctance to take responsibility is one’s greatest undoing. When you shift the blame, you relinquish control. For students, owning your choices is power. If you forgot to study for an exam, figure out the scheduling! Meet deadlines, but be in control of timers. Responsibility enables students to take command of their lives. Set your own boundaries by mastering your responses to uncontrollable circumstances, and you’re on your way to overcoming self-inflicted obstacles. When you exercise this ability, you visually reshape the path of your success.
You’re Saving Your ‘Yes’ by Saying No
Have you ever found yourself saying ‘yes’ to a project, a party or a club that later turned out to be too much for you? While opportunities may seem endless for a student, trying to balance everything makes it impossible to navigate smoothly. Just like a suitcase needs to be packed algorithmically, your schedule needs to be executed in an organized manner as well. They both have limits that, if breached, will make carrying it all around increasingly difficult. Skip that random event to focus on your internship application. Decline any non-obligatory shifts to stay focused and deliver an exceptional research paper. Doing so means not being able to say ‘yes’ adds focus on what is actually important—your dream career. Not being able to add shifts does the same for nailing those important exams. Denial, in this circumstance, is not impolite, but rather tailor-made fuels intended for your succeeding goals.
Free Yourself from Your Mobile Device
How many of you have spent countless minutes scrolling through your phone (we are all guilty)? From social media to notifications and never-ending apps, your phone can turn study time into a TikTok marathon that is nearly impossible to escape. You, as a student, should know that your attention is your most valued asset. Here is a suggestion: try turning off all non-essential notifications at this very moment. Strictly monitor when you are allowed to check your phone—consider checking it only after a study session. Having a vivid vision for your life can truly help—whether it be starting a business or landing your dream job—and why suddenly scrolling becomes a total chore. One hour without my phone means completing an assignment early or finally starting that passion project.
Study Books, Don’t Just Read Them
Podcasts and books are very useful resources and materials for students. However, consuming them at a glance won’t evoke any change. As an alternative to speeding through self-help books and lecture notes, studying them is more beneficial. Use a highlighter to emphasize important concepts, create to-do lists, and execute them. If you come across a management tip, try it out for a week and see how it goes. Did you learn a coding shortcut? Construct a mini project around it. As you work through concepts, explain them to your peers; this reinforces retention. Learning is like cooking, where the ingredients (information) must be combined to create a dish (action). This particular approach allows information to be transformed into skills which one can utilize in class and beyond.
Compare Only to Yourself: As of Yesterday
These days, social media makes it incredibly easy to compare yourself to others using classmates with their internships, influencers with idealized lives, or “friends” who appear to be ahead in life. But we all know that comparison kills. It takes away your confidence and focus from your personal journey. For students, the only real challenge you should be facing is comparing yourself to who you were yesterday. Did you study harder today? Did you progress towards your goals, even if just a little? Your life is a playlist—build it, don’t let others dictate it, so choose creators that spark your excitement, not someone else’s trends. Focus on improving by a mere 1 percent each day, and the end of the semester will show how those little wins can translate into massive growth when accumulated over time.
Case Study: Mia’s Turnaround
Meet Mia, a sophomore who felt stuck. She was overwhelmed, always on her phone, and surrounded by friends who dismissed her dream of starting a graphic design business. Inspired to change, Mia audited her circle, distancing herself from negative friends and joining a campus design club where she met mentors. She stopped blaming her heavy course load for poor grades and started planning her study schedule. By saying no to distractions and turning off notifications, she carved out time to study design books and build a portfolio. Within six months, Mia landed her first freelance client and felt more confident than ever. Her secret? Quitting what held her back to focus on what moved her forward.
Key Takeaways
- Choose energizing friends: Surround yourself with people who inspire and support your goals.
- Seek expert advice: Learn from those who’ve achieved what you want to avoid missteps.
- Take responsibility: Owning your choices gives you the power to shape your future.
- Prioritize wisely: Saying no to distractions protects time for what truly matters.
- Control your focus: Limit phone time to stay on track with your goals.
- Apply what you learn: Turn knowledge into action for real results.
- Focus on your growth: Compare only to your past self to build confidence and progress.
Keep Experimenting, Keep Growing
Not every tip will click for you, and that’s okay. The beauty of these ideas is their flexibility—try one, tweak it, or combine a few to fit your life. Quitting what wastes your time isn’t about restriction; it’s about making space for what lights you up, whether that’s acing your classes, chasing a passion, or just feeling more in control. Start small. Pick one thing to quit this week and see how it feels. You’re not just a student—you’re the architect of your future. So, what’s one step you’ll take today to stop wasting time and start building the life you want?