You just told your professor that you’d go to her office hours today, got lured into signing up for a new club with some free candy at the student center, made a lunch date with your roommate and still have to find the time to look halfway decent for work.
Let’s not even begin to think about the astronomy exam, which you’ve deemed to be impossible, that is creeping up in your agenda. And we can chat later about that fifteen page paper that you have due in a couple of days…although you did make the most of that 3-hour library session with those two thought-provoking paragraphs you wrote.
College may as well be synonymous to a juggling act and, for the most part, feels like a sick joke. Joining clubs, networking, staying involved with student government, being an activist, volunteering, exercising, working part-time…who has time for an actual life? I used to stare off into the green at all of the slack-liners and daydreamers with jealousy. I hate you all. I hate you all. *takes nervous sip of coffee* I hate you all. I felt as though I either sacrificed my social life to get a heightened experience outside of the classroom or chose to give it all up and surrender to Netflix.
But if there’s a will, there certainly is a way! It’s all about finding some sort of balance and understanding that breaks are what keep your brain from turning to mush. Once I graduated from UVM, I was able to take a few steps back and devise a plan to get my stuff together.
So, first thing’s first: Never skimp on your sleep.
After college, I learned that one of the most important things that you can hold on tight to is sleep. As tempting as it is to make a habit of staying up late and waking up early in the same 24-hour period, do your very best not to. Our brains don’t function that way and your chances of balancing life and work will be little to none. However, I understand that assignments can keep you going until unmentionable hours – just don’t make it a habit. When you can sleep, sleep and do it well.
While you’re at it, keep a calendar of some sort.
I went to Barnes and Nobles and purchased a small planner that I was able to fit into my satchel. I don’t leave without it, so if I have plans, I know how to mold my day around it. Once you get into the groove of writing things down in a planner, it’ll be like second-nature.
Now, take a look at that planner and see when you have some free time.
Even if it’s 15 minutes, do yourself a favor and go for a walk, grab a coffee or find a tree to get cozy under. When you have a moment to not think, take advantage of it. It’ll keep you sane and you’ll thank yourself for it in the long run.
Just because you’re busy, doesn’t mean your friends don’t matter.
Even if meetings are turning you into a crazy person, you can still find time for your pals. Take a Friday night or two and reward yourself with a little fun (even if that means it’s a pizza or Wings Over Burlington kind of night). Indulge a little – okay a lot — and don’t ever forget about the people rooting for you on the sidelines.
And most importantly, don’t forget about yourself.
I am a huge advocate for pampering myself, and not always when necessary. While to most that means getting a pedicure or hair cut, sometimes it just means going out for a long run or practicing some yoga. Give yourself time to breathe and connect back to yourself.
Overall, do your best to maintain some sort of balance and awareness of what is being thrown at you in life. Trust me, you can do it and you will absolutely make it out of college alive.