College is hard, without a doubt. As students, we are busy juggling schoolwork, work, clubs, a social life, and our own personal health. Frequently, it can become overwhelming, and many students begin to burn out after a while. As a second semester first-year student, my schedule is much busier than last fall, and I have had to learn how to manage this change. In this article, I would like to share with you how I have been balancing everything this semester while making time for myself.
With more work for classes, a work study position, volunteering, and a commitment to new clubs, I have been running all over the place, always on the go. Now, I will say I do enjoy being busy, but sometimes, it can be a bit much. I have caught myself repeatedly waking up and immediately making a mental list of things I need to do, and feeling the stress creep in. Last week, I decided I wanted to focus a little bit more on myself, hoping it would help me feel more balanced and less stressed. I decided to do something I have always despised: be honest.
Meditation! The act of silencing your mind and focusing solely on your breathing, mind, and body, was intimidating to me. When I had a break from classes, I found a 5-minute meditation online, sat down, and closed my eyes. Within seconds, my mind was wandering, moving a mile a minute. Trying to recenter myself and focus was difficult, but I tried to remain patient with
myself. Even though the 5 minutes felt so long, and difficult, I still felt rejuvenated afterward, and ready to face the rest of my busy day head-on. I have made a commitment to incorporating meditation into my schedule more often, and recommend trying it, even if it seems scary or boring.
Another thing I have been trying to implement in my daily life to lessen stress is taking advantage of “time confetti.” Most times, when I have small breaks here and there, I resort to scrolling on my phone or lying in my bed. Sometimes a break is needed, but this time adds up, and then I am forced to stay up late studying because I did not take advantage of the day. Using “time confetti” wisely, by either writing a few pages of notes, throwing my laundry in the wash, planning my schedule for the next day, or sending an email allows me to chip away at tasks over time and finish them quickly. Doing so allows me to take more time for myself at the end of the day, hang out with friends, and get to bed early. Good, quality sleep and time with friends are essential to your well-being!
Meditation and taking advantage of time confetti are two new practices I have been finding helpful this semester, but there are so many other ways to release stress and balance your day! If you find yourself running around nonstop, remember to take a moment to yourself, and find ways that work for you to lessen your stress. It can make all the difference.