As we get older, there are more things in our life we need to learn how to balance. During our college career, some of the most common things we must balance along with our education is our social life, work, relationships, etc. It is important to find a balance between all of these in order to maintain a successful college career. Each person creates a different way in order to maintain balance. I have learned the best way to balance my life is through the 5 F's that my dad has created.
1) Faith
"All you need is faith, trust, and little bit of pixie dust"
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Whether or not we want to admit it, we all believe in something. Now that something you believe in, you have formed your hope and life around it. This "something" may be faith in God, faith in a higher being, faith in your friends, faith in yourself, faith in science, faith in the world, faith in society as a whole, or a combination of all of them, but whatever it is, at one point in your life, you have put your faith in something. No matter what you put your faith in, it shapes your viewpoints of life but most importantly, it shapes the person YOU intentionally or unintentionally wanted to become all along. The older we get, the more complicated and beautiful life gets. Our faith in whatever we choose to believe in, is our main foundation.
Ways to balance your Faith:
1) Have alone time. It is SO important to have alone time to reflect on yourself, your relationships, and your life as a whole. This will give you time to reflect on yourself and see how far you have come in your life and if there is anything you like or dislike, to find a way to improve or a way to maintain your lifestyle.
2)Pray. Have that conversation with God. Have that deep conversation with Him and tell Him what is going on in your heart. Nothing is too small or too big. He wants to hear it because He loves you.
3) Read. Whatever gets you through your life. Read. Read the Bible. Read those life encouraging books. You will learn something and grow in ways you wouldn't even think was possible.
2) Family
"Family. Where life begins and love never ends."
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Family is SO important. High school days were the days where you were so beyond excited to go to college and leave. Be on your own. Not live under your parents' roof. Live by your own rules. Be independent. Little did you know, after the first year, let alone, the first semester, you realize how much you actually need your family and that being on your own isn't all rainbows and butterflies. For you, being on your own couldn't have come sooner, but for your parents especially, the time flew by way too fast. Teachers will tell you "You will never stop learning" and that's 100% true.
Ways to balance your Family Life:
1) Keep the lessons that your parents teach you close to your heart. The older you get, the more you'll understand the lessons that your family teaches you. In order to grow, you must go. Your family wants you to reach your fullest potential and will do everything in love, but in that process of growing, don't forget everything they've ever told you.
2) Keep in contact with your family daily. Take time out of your busy schedule to send them a simple "Hello", "Thank you", "I love you" text. Keeping in touch with the family will not only help grow that family relationship, but will help you grow as a person.
3) Actions speak louder than words. Make sure that you utilize the lessons you have learned from your parents. Yes, being on your own is amazing, but the older you get, the more you start to see parts of your parents in you. Own it. Love it. Show it because even though you grow in different directions, your roots will always be the same.
3) Finance
"It's ridiculous that celebrities can spend a year of my college tuition on like, a necklace, like it's nothing and I can't even afford a taco."
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...I mean or a crib...that's cool too.....Finances. The topic that everyone HATES to talk about. Balancing finances can be so difficult, especially if you are paying for everything or almost everything such as your education, insurance, possible rent, food, social life, just the general means in order to survive...no big deal...How does a college student even balance everything financially? It may seem impossible, especially if you're craving that taco...but you know you need to save that money for other pressing matters. The first thought a student has when they don't have money or need more money is " I guess it's time to adult and find a job".
Ways to balance Financial Responsibilities:
1) If you don't have a savings account, MAKE ONE. Take that income you make, and take a certain percentage of it and put it in your savings and make sure YOU DON'T TOUCH IT UNLESS IT IS COMPLETELY NECESSARY.
2) Invest. Invest your money in stocks. Although it sounds complex, it is a lot easier than you think and will not only save your money in the long run, but grow it. Here is a link to get more information: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinan...
3)Make and Write down Realistic Goals. It is important to MAKE and WRITE down REALISTIC goals. Make a list of where you see your life 5 years from now and work backwards from there. This means that after you write down where you see yourself in 5 years make a list of how you are going to get there from the position you are sitting at right now.
4) Fitness
"Body type: Works out, but definitely likes donuts."
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The freshmen 15 is real. The sophomore 30 is real. Even if you don't gain that much weight, it is inevitable that you will probably gain weight when you go off to college. I mean how can you resist Chick-fil-a fries and that Habit Burger..especially during the stressful times of midterms and finals?! It's so quick and easy and you don't have time to make something healthy or buy something healthy. So then what? It okay to have that Chick-fil-a or Habit once in awhile, but in order to succeed, it starts with your health. It can be difficult to eat healthy, especially living in dorms without a kitchen and a busy schedule with school and a potential job, but it is possible!
Ways to balance Fitness:
1) Cut 30 minutes-1 hour of your day. Go to the nearest gym on campus or near school and take that time to workout. Think of it as "me" time. This is a time to plug in your headphones and listen to your favorite playlist or catch up on that episode on Netflix. It is a great break from school, drama, or anything that is taxing in your life.
2) Eat one healthy meal a day. It is said it take 30 days to make or break a habit. So for 30 days, eat at least one healthy meal and see how that changes your focus, your mood, or outlook on life. It is so easy to skip out on breakfast, but don't. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for those 7ams. 7ams are hard enough, so why don't you make it easier on yourself by eating a good breakfast before such as a banana, or a breakfast bar so you're not in the class starving.
3) Have a workout buddy. Having an accountability partner make working out not only so much easier to stay on track, but so much more fun. You can create different work outs and encourage each other to reach each other's goals. This will allow you not only to stay on track and with someone,but make sure that workout won't feel like "torture". The plus side is you also get time to spend time with your friends and have fun!
5) Fun
"Never ever underestimate the importance of having fun."
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College is supposed to be the best four years of your life so make that happen. It can get so hectic with balancing school, a job, and a social life but don't forget to take chances, take risks, and make memories. These four years will go so fast so make the most of it. Take that challenging class, join that club on campus, do and try something you've never done before. Go to the community events they hold on campus. IT IS NOT JUST FOR FRESHMEN (unless of course it says so). This is the time where you are exploring who you are with the most important people right by your side so make sure you are enjoying it to the fullest.
Ways to balance some Fun:
1) Cut out a specific time and day. Start a new tradition with your friends to go out to dinner and a movie or a fun activity once a weekend, or once a month. With having a specific time and day, it will allow you to relax and have fun with your friends.
2) Take pictures. TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES. I am a huge advocate for taking pictures. When you take pictures it allows you hold onto the memory and an excuse to decorate your dorm or apartment with a certain aesthetic.
3) Get a Venmo or Cash App. Wait what?! What does that have to do with anything or having fun?! For those who don't know what Venmo/Cash App is, it is a way to transfer money to your friends. For example if you go out and forget your wallet or its easier if one person pays, it will save so much hassle if you have a Venmo/Cash App because you can just Venmo/Cash App them money. Don't let those small barriers be the reason why you don't go out and get that taco you've been craving!
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