All of us want to succeed, right? What about when it comes to balancing on the line between working hard and wanting to feel young and dumb? Adults are constantly telling us that we have time: time to decide who we want to be, what we want to do, and how we want to live our lives.

In my experience, time does go by, and fast. The older we get, the faster it goes. So, in college do we really have time to party and feel careless? Or are we supposed to buckle down and make some good decisions?

As someone who spends the majority of her time working, it can be tough watching all of your friends be exactly what you thought you should be: young and careless.

Does this mean that just because your priority is one and not the other that you can’t do both? The answer: absolutely not. It is true that we cannot always be everywhere. It’s impossible, at least until they invent a cloning machine. Sometimes we have to pick and choose what we do, and some, including me, would say that there is a beauty to that. We shouldn’t get to do everything; if we did, what is really important to us would get lost.

So how can we play this game of balancing? Below are five helpful tips on how to do both.

1. Prioritize

Sometimes you can get away with calling out of work or delaying an important project. However, there is a difference between picking fun over work and just being plain lazy. Know the difference.

2. On the Flipside, Know When to Choose Fun

It’s good to work hard. Working 60 hours a week without a day off or room for any leniency? Not so much. We all know the saying: “All work and no play…”

3. Plan Ahead

That doesn’t sound like a carefree way to live, right? We want to be spontaneous and fun, but sometimes having something planned ahead of time means that your commitment to it will be more definite.

4. Make Goals

I'm constantly making lists: pros and cons lists, to-do lists, and goal lists. My friends make fun of me for it, but it keeps me organized. It also helps me keep on track. If I check my list, and find out that I’m slacking, I’ll work harder and play less, and vice versa.

5. Fit Fun in the Gaps (all of the gaps)

Working all the time can become stressful. Between juggling a full time job, an internship, and a full semester? Forget it, right? A lot of us do it. Got an hour to kill during your lunch break? Go outside and take a walk, read a book, Skype your friends, or just close your eyes and listen to your favorite tunes. It doesn’t have to be a massive rave to be fun.

In conclusion: smile; know when to work hard and when to be goofy. Enjoy your life; you only have one, so make sure that what you’re working toward is worth it.