It’s time to write.

It’s time to write.

You NEVER have time to write. Not when you are stuck with the rigours of studies, assignments and even classes that need your attention 24/7 and also friends around you who want to have you in their midst. 

So, you hatched a plan…

You set your alarm so you could wake up early. You switched your phone to "Do not disturb."

And, now, you’re ready.

Ready for peace and quiet. Ready to focus. Ready to write the thing you’ve been trying to write for forever and a day.

And that’s when you hear a sound that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up…

"What? Is it already time to wake up??"

**********

If you’re a student, the above (slightly exaggerated) scenario probably hits home.

You LOVE your studies…

Love them to pieces…

But muses for your writing they ain’t.

Not usually, anyway.

When writing inspiration strikes, they do too.

When writing ideas begin to flow, so does your brain begin to flow due to it remembering that you need to submit an assignment a that day.

And when an open block of time presents itself so you can write, they’re right there to fill that empty space on your calendar.

What can a student in this mess do?

That’s the question I wanted to answer…

…so I asked myself.

I asked:

"What are unconventional, possibly even controversial, tips you have for students who say they’re too busy to write because of their studies?"

Here are the 4 best (not very controversial) answers I get from my inner self which I've used and they worked for me: 

1. Let people around you be bored.

Lol. It may sound somehow but learn to encourage people around you to find ways to entertain themselves without your constant involvement. Not only will it help them develop self-sufficiency, but it’ll free up time for you."

2. Set "off limits" hours.

"Schedule regular, short periods of time where you are ‘off-duty’ and you know you can’t be interrupted by anything (unless it's an emergency)."

3. Embrace early mornings (or late nights).

"Wake up an hour earlier or stay up an hour later than usual so you can write. This quiet time might become your most productive writing time."

4. Embrace imperfection.

"Just accept that your writing time may not always be perfect or uninterrupted. Capitalize on the small pockets of time you do have. Don't let minor interruptions derail your progress."

Pretty decent advice. Of course…

You and I both know that finding a balance between school and writing isn’t as easy as asking people for advice and doing whatever they say.

Some tips above won’t work for you or your situation. But, hopefully, at least one of them will.

Either way, be patient and flexible.

You’ll get there. I know you’ll get there. 

Good luck.