Everyone has asked themselves this question at least once in their lives: Why does everything happen at the same time? Exam season is quickly approaching, the last semester of the school year is coming to an end and every club and organization that you’re a part of is throwing end-of-the-year banquets and events. So right now, it really does feel like everything that could possibly be happening, is actually happening. Walking around campus, all I hear are people complaining about the 10-page papers they have to write, or the office hour that they have to go to in order to meet with a professor. The last few weeks of the semester have turned into a checklist, and we numbly follow that schedule everyday, hoping that maybe time will go by a little faster.
Blinded by the taste of summer’s freedom, we forget why we are busy in the first place. When our schedules turn into a checklist, each part of it loses passion and spark. But we need to remind ourselves that our schedules are busy for a reason—odds are, I didn’t join that club sport or become a tour guide or join Greek life just to fill up my planner. I joined those things because it is something that I want to do, with people that I want to be around. In fact, without a busy schedule, I wouldn’t get to have some of the experiences that I have had, or create some of the memories that I have made.
As I run around from place to place every day of every week, it’s hard to remember why life is better when you’re busy. But, as I reflect (while staying energized with a cup of coffee), the reasons are simple:
1. By being busy, I’ve met all of my best friends.
At first, I thought I joined too many on-campus groups and organizations. But now, as I round out my freshman year, I have realized that every group I have joined has introduced me to an entire new social outlet. And the coolest part about that is that every group is different. In other words, the more groups you join, the more diverse your friend group gets, and the more opportunities you have for memories.
2. By being busy, I’ve matured more quickly.
As much as I still can’t get over the fact that I’m a legal adult living away from home, being busy has forced me to become responsible and to organize my life by myself. I’ve learned how important it is to specifically set aside time for the little things, like doing laundry or going to the gym.
3. By being busy, I’ve become smarter.
If anything, working hard in class to get good grades makes me even busier. I now know how important it is to take the time to go to a professor’s office hours, no matter how badly I want to take a nap, and how much of a difference it makes to spend an extra hour editing an essay.
4. By being busy, I’ve learned how to be flexible.
With so many things on my plate every day, something is bound to be rescheduled every once and a while. Learning how to shuffle around my schedule is a valuable skill that I will cherish once I get thrown into the real world. I know how to prioritize commitments over others, allowing me to be flexible in how I approach everyday life.
5. By being busy, I’ve learned to appreciate my free time.
Free time really is a luxury, and being busy allows me to really cherish those few moments that I get to take to myself. It’s just like dessert—as much as I would like to eat dessert all of the time, eating healthy food all day makes that cupcake before bed taste even better.
Don’t get me wrong, I forget these reasons all of the time too, especially right now as I’m facing a jam-packed schedule everyday from now until the middle of May. But it’s so important to remember that busy schedules are the reason that we are the way we are. Without my busy schedule, I probably wouldn’t have had any of the experiences that make my life colorful.
