I had an incredibly low-maintenance freshman year. In other words, I managed to earn Dean's List and party basically every single weekend. As much fun as I had, I know that my major is progressing in difficulty and that things are a lot more rigorous now. As a result, I literally can't afford to slip up or skip opportunities to build my resume (ie, I have to skip a party every blue moon to study or go to work.)

I used to be so afraid that skipping a few drinks would make me seem less cool to my friends. Shocker: It totally makes me less cool, but personally, the only thing that feels better than being buzzed is getting paid and getting As. This, I discovered after getting my first check. The secret is knowing when to work hard and play hard.

I actually almost felt guilty for heading to bed at 11 PM when my roommates were heading across campus to hang out with mutual friends. It felt like the people I cared about forgot that I was still a party girl at heart (albeit a party girl who had to shape up because of new responsibilities and new goals.)

But then it hit me -- they might be able to get away with not studying or sleeping every day, but I alas can not.

I can't stay up until 4 in the morning watching Netflix and goofing around because it will literally wreck me for my 9 AM classes. I can't get trashed when I have to get up at 7 to finish an online quiz before work.

I can't judge my friends for spending less time studying than I do because they can still be successful without it. I can't act like I'm pious for sacrificing a few hours of my social life each week to head to the library. What I can do is continue to build a strong work ethic and academic reputation because I know that it benefits me.

Last week, I slung my backpack over my shoulder while heading out the door to go to chemistry tutoring and heard one of my roommates scream the following sentiment:

"F*** studying!"

At times, I feel like yelling the same thing, but I know that burying my head a book before an exam will benefit me more than chugging 750 milliliters of cheap Moscato from Target. I know that balancing my academics and a job related to my future career will look more impressive than my ability to balance a shot glass between my tits (which is, however, a surprisingly fun skill to show off and kudos if you can pull it off!)

All I can say to anyone in a similar situation is that you will never regret getting an A. You will never regret your job experience when applying to graduate schools.

That being said, you've still got to make it to a few parties while you're still in school; it's all about balance and you will regret being a loner.

If not going to every party makes me the Grandma of my friend group, I can at least take pride in the fact that I'll be a Grandma with a high GPA and a high salary who will have time to get high after I retire young.

I know that working hard now gives me time to have a lit senior year while everyone else is stressing out (kind of like me right now.) I know that what I'm doing is so worth it, and I'm okay with being judged for it because I know how (and when) to work hard and play hard.