The only 4.0 I ever got:

• 4.0
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Team lead for SatDev C&DH (Linux/C programming for a satellite)
• Part time work for my startup, 6-10 hours/wk
• No research position, though I did publish two papers through the startup work that semester, one of them as first author
• Social life was not great, as my ex and I had broken up early in the semester; mostly went to bars on weekends and met people that way. Also did Outdoor Adventure Club when I could, their trips are fun!
• Did not make time for gym, ran 1 day/wk for an hour
• Meal prep sundays, lots of slow cooker meals that last a week
• 13 credit hours: ECE 385, ECE 350, ECE 333, ECE 398, CHLH 101

The biggest thing that made the difference:

1. Staying hydrated. I never left the apt without my nalgene, and refilled it twice a day.

2. Sleep 8 hours/day. Even when I didn't finish all of my work, I'd make time for sleep. Having a clear mind makes all the difference where it matters.

3. Be reflective. I like to do something that I read about Ben Franklin back in high school, which is to end each day with a thought in a journal, answering the question "What good have I done this day?". It could be as simple as "I made my bed", or "I did laundry." Being mindful does wonders for your mental health, and being able to read back through all the good things you do can be a great pick-me-up in the bad parts of the semester.