Let’s tackle the impossible act of balancing your academics from your social life. There’s always a tremendous amount of pressure during college to make the most out of the little time we have. However, as every college student knows, academics can take up a huge amount of time from your day. So, which side do we choose? Stumbling from bar to bar every night with your best friends or staying in to cram for that grueling exam tomorrow? Well, while many of us think we are limited to choosing only one of these lifestyles, we can actually do them both; and no, I don’t mean getting drunk while you study all night... (it just doesn’t work out). What I mean is that with a little practice we can actually fulfill both of these categories separately. The true reason why we go to college is to prepare us for the future that lies ahead; a very serious matter. However; one of the most important aspects of this journey is to make it the best time of your life. So, how do we do it?

1. Have a schedule.

Making a legitimate schedule to organize your daily activities can be the defining aspect of achieving this balancing act. We like to think that we can cram every little bit of information we need into our brains, but we can’t. Trying to retain a mass amount of information can cause a lot of stress and ultimately affect your health. Having a written list of activities that you need to complete or attend can make your life a whole lot easier in the long run. Once your personal schedule is written out according to your weekly plans, DON’T IGNORE IT. Always have a copy of your schedule on hand, even if it’s stored away in your phone somewhere. Why? As college students, we're always looking for ways to have a good time and we often overlap new activities onto prior obligations. Having a schedule on hand can prevent this with one glance at your phone. If there’s one thing you want to avoid, it’s double-booking. Trust me; the girlfriend won’t like it when you forget your one month and seven day anniversary... But maybe this isn’t your problem. Maybe your problem is trying to find stuff to fill all those empty days on your calendar. College is a time to step out of your comfort zone and explore all there is to explore. So let’s get to it!

2. Stop Being Shy. Stop It.

Living on a university campus is a huge lifestyle change that can be quite overwhelming at first, I’ll admit it. Maybe you came from a town where everyone knows each other on a first name basis, and now you can’t even remember half of the kids' names in your biology course. What I’m saying is that it’s perfectly ok to be a little scared at first. However, don’t let that first week define your whole college experience. Find somebody you’re comfortable with, and, wait for it... DO STUFF WITH THEM. Seriously, it’s that easy. There’s also a good chance that your new friend also has friends, and before you know it you’ve got your own little squad. College is essentially a giant network of connections between people. The more people you know, the more connections you’ll have. Pretty simple right? The connections that you make are what ultimately define your college experience. These connections can help you succeed in the classroom, make new friends, and open new doors to opportunities you thought you’d never be able to achieve. College is full of people that want to meet you and become your friend. Join clubs, go to events, say hello. It’s that easy. The connections you make in college may very well carry on through the rest of your life. However, don’t stress over making every single aspect of your college career perfect; because that won’t happen. Just like everything else in life, there’s going to be lots of ups and downs... and that’s perfectly fine.

3. The realization.

Every human being struggles with their own personal battles whether they like to admit it or not. Confidence is something every one of us should carry through our lives, but unfortunately it’s often the most hidden aspect in us. One thing that students focus a tremendous amount of their stress on is a little thing called GPA. Maybe you’re rocking a solid 2.5 while one of your best friends is on the verge of a 4.0. Often times, people who experience great success will let you know of it right away. What I mean by that is that humans naturally feel the need to exploit their accomplishments to their peers. Were just weird like that. However, when we hear how much better off this other person is than ourselves, it immediately sends us in a spiraling depression for that time being. What we need to realize is that they’re actually not that much better off than you. Obviously having a high GPA is a great thing to achieve, but it’s not everything. Often time’s employers will focus on your experiences and personality before they look into your GPA. Another thing to realize is that you’re not alone... and chances are there is somebody out there doing A LOT worse than you. While you look at the dean’s list and see the hundreds of people that academically outdid you, think about the thousands of students that didn’t make that list. There’s a reason why they designate a special list for those students... IT'S EXTREMELY HARD TO DO. So don’t feel bad when you don’t see your name up there. Make sure you put forth as much effort as you possibly can and be proud of that if all else fails.

Every individual is different in their own way; hence the name individual. I believe our experiences here at college is what will ultimately shape our individuality. That’s why all of this is so important to remember. We embarked on this adventure for one reason -- to change our lives. So make every moment worth every dollar you’re spending to be wherever you are. If you only take one thing away from reading this article today, let it be this. You can spend all of your time at college worrying about the future and ignoring the present; or you can thrive in the present and make your future a truly remarkable one. The decision is up to you.