School is extremely stressful and sometimes it feels like we are doing everything we can just to stay afloat—and that’s just with classes. How many times have you been sitting in class and appeared to be listening to the professor when you were actually just staring blankly at the chalkboard while thinking about everything else you have going on in your life? College isn’t just about doing schoolwork and going to bed, only to do it all over again the next morning—it’s the stuff you do in between that takes up most of your time.
Sometimes I get to bed past midnight and think back on my day, and I realize that between attending class, sending emails, going to meetings, attending events for organizations I’m involved in, grabbing food and trying to fit in a run here and there, my day is over. But did I actually crack open my textbook to get ahead on a reading assignment like my professor recommended? Nope. Where does the time in a day go?
My friends and I were discussing our hectic lives, and one of them joked that she was majoring in all her extracurricular activities and minoring in friendships. Although we all laughed along, we slowly realized how true this was for us and for a lot of involved college students. Being busy makes for a more meaningful college experience, but sometimes you have to look out for yourself first. So, my fellow busy bees, take note of five simple ways to put some stress-free goodness back into your life.
1. Make time for people and things that matter
If something is important to you, there is a way to make time for it. Make sure you don’t push the people and activities you love away from you in the process of trying to figure out a stressful week. Go to the gym, get coffee with a friend, or sit down and read a chapter in a book for fun.
2. When you study, actually study
I have definitely been guilty of getting to the library and then either sitting there and not doing homework because I’m way too tired, or taking way too long to do an assignment because I’m not concentrating enough. This just leads to way more time doing homework when I could be having time for myself. So plan out time to study so you can check it off the list sooner.
3. Say no to things. Yes, I said that.
This goes out to all those people who love to help everyone else with their busy schedules or to those who take a group project as a challenge to do everyone's part—stop doing that. Learning to delegate tasks to people and learning when to ask for help is key to having a balanced life. Asking for help doesn’t mean that you aren’t doing your job or that you are lazy—it means you are wise enough to know you can’t do it alone.
4. Get outside and call someone you love on the phone
Nothing makes me smile more than hearing the voices of the people I love on the phone when I’m feeling like the world is crumbling beneath me. There is also something about breathing in fresh air and walking outside that has a way of calming you down and putting life into perspective.
5. Do not give in to the “fear of missing out”
When you have two tests, five meetings, philanthropy events, and job searching on your agenda for the upcoming week, don’t feel like you have to go to the “fun” event that everyone else is going to. Going to a football game or party might be fun for them, but if the whole time you are going to be thinking about all the work that is waiting for you at home, then you are only hurting yourself. Save the “fun” time for things you actually enjoy.
Remember to enjoy your time at college no matter how busy you are, and most importantly, make sure to leave time for yourself and your happiness.
