Ah, the constant battle: trying to find enough hours in the day to spend time with friends or family, while also achieving good grades and making your education a priority. This can be true for any and all kinds of students, and even for those who are in the working field as well. For me, its always a struggle to prioritize and find that delicate balance between the two. It’s not always easy, but after many experiences and years of practice, I think that I have definitely gained some valuable advice that will be beneficial to those seeking guidance on how to achieve a successful “work and play” life.
One thing that has been really helpful for me when trying to find enough time in my schedule to accomplish “all the things” is to fill out a planner. I first write down all of the tests and assignments that I know are going to be due that week, so I can carve out time and make those items my first priority. Once I do that, I go back and fill in “social” events such as dinners, going out, or any special gatherings that I have planned for the week. I also try and schedule in some workouts or things that I enjoy doing for myself, so that I can remember to relax and take a much needed break. By taking the time to prepare myself for the week ahead and put all of my events on paper, it has allowed me to better manage my time so that I can enjoy everything that I want to do!
Another helpful tip that I have learned while trying to balance both school and friends, is that it is important to remember that it is okay to say “no” to some opportunities. I think it is pretty common for us to want to say “yes” to everything these days. To always be as busy as possible and never wanting to miss out on an opportunity is the common way of life in today’s society. It makes sense that in a time where social media allows us to have huge amounts of resources available to us in just an instant, that it can be easy for us to overload ourselves to the point where you don't even have a moment to catch your breath. I found that by politely declining some offers to go out or to spend all night studying in the library, I had the chance to take some time to relax. By realizing my limits and putting my own needs first at times, I have had the chance to regroup and come back even more energized and clear-minded moving forward.
Learning to juggle all of the different aspects of your life can be a challenging obstacle, especially for us young adults who are looking to build relationships while also getting a good education. It is something that I have to focus on prioritizing every day, but in the end taking a couple of extra minutes to plan and prepare for both my social and academic life has helped me seize the most of the opportunities that come my way. Obtaining both work and play is definitely possible with a little hard work, but the extra effort is totally worth it.
