College isn't easy. There, I said it. And it’s even harder to balance college along with having work, a family, and some sort of social life. It’s not easy, but I can teach you how to manage it all.
My first suggestion is to get a planner. I write everything down in this, including when homework is due, social events, and when I have time planned to do chores. Yes, I have to write down when to do chores because I have to pencil it in. I’m not saying that I’m this super busy person by any means, but by blocking out my time every week, I am able to get everything done.
My second suggestion is to block your time with your friends. I know it sounds like I’m saying don’t talk to them, but it’s far from that. When I have days off, I do things with friends on those days off. I’d have lunch with one friend, then go hangout with another, then in the evening, I’d have dinner with another friend. It helps me see all my friends within a couple days and it helps me feel like I’ve spent enough time with each of them. Sometimes, however, you will run into problems with friends thinking you don’t spend enough time with them. And the solution to this is simple, tell them I’ve given you all the time I have, because in my world, I don’t even have time to myself, so all my time literally goes to others.
My third suggestion is family. Simply put whenever you have a moment to spare to call your family. It may not seem like an important task, but every moment in life is important, and why not spend those moments with those you love. I talk to my mom constantly, we always text each other and my mom visits me often. With my other family, and siblings, I text and Snapchat them often because they are always on my mind.
Finally, try, and I mean really try, to set aside time for you. Even if it’s just for an hour to watch an episode on Netflix, to just shut off your phone and sit in silence, or to just watch nature, please take time for yourself. I forget the importance of self-love sometimes and it’s difficult to remember to do things for you. Blocking out time for you is sometimes the difference between insanity and sanity, which is a slim line to cross when you’re as busy as I am.
Please take these ideas to help you balance everything in your life other than college, it’s scary and stressful about a hundred percent of the time, but once you get into a routine, it’s manageable, trust me. All it takes is some good old perseverance and positivity, and you can do just about anything.
