Many times in our life we face the constant issue of balancing our very busy lives. All ages and professions face these issues. As a college student especially, I am constantly making the choices of when to say yes to studying and no to going out with friends or taking well-deserved naps. Our lives should be filled with fun, but we must remember our responsibilities. This is a time where time management is so vital. It is so much easier said than done to choose responsibility over frivolity, but I feel as if college students are affected most by this choice. It is our first major taste of freedom, to do as we please. But ironically we sometimes forget the real reason we are at school: to get a degree. I am here to tell you, it is okay to say no.
Find the balance.
One of the hardest things about your first year or two of college is finding the balance between study time and fun time. At the end of the day, you get out what you put in. If you spend a lot of time studying, your grades often reflect that. But, if you always say yes to fun and no to study, it can have a harsh impact on your grades. It is very important to have fun too. Make goals for yourself. "If I get all of my homework done tonight and get ahead on tomorrow's assignment, then I can treat myself to movie night and fun with friends." It is good to have the motivation to do well on both sides.
Stick to your beliefs!
When we arrive at college and meet so many new people, we are faced with many new choices and scenarios. Drugs, alcohol, and parties are just a few of these. If you are uncomfortable with anything that is going on around you, even with your friends, it is okay to leave. Saying no to things you are not okay with is so important. Don't worry about what people will say or think, sticking to your values is something to be proud of. In a world where peer pressure does exist, we must remember that we can choose what we are comfortable with doing. Being yourself is liberating. You will fit in with the right people, they will come along in time.
Get involved, but to a degree.
This is a lesson for all ages, one I have been told many times. Don't pile too much on your plate. Many times we are asked to join groups, sports, clubs etc. but we may not have the time to do so. We don't want to inconvenience others, but at the same time, we are just adding more and more onto our already full schedules. Instead, we must find a balance with organizations we can truly give our best time and attention to. This is our life, and we have the right to say no to things we know we can't handle or don't want to. Don't let others trick or persuade you to do more than you can.
Many times in our life we want so badly to please everyone around us, but forget that we need to do things in life that make us happy and that we enjoy. It may be scary to tell people no, but we must do what is best for us sometimes. We all have talents and time to give, but finding a balance is key. No matter what situation you find yourself in, ask yourself, "Am I comfortable doing this?" If we stay true to our beliefs and know what we can handle, It can make our busy lives a little easier.
