Something I learned right away at university was the triangle of life. Basically, your life is like this triangle shown below. You have three options to choose from to define your life, but you can only choose two. How sick and twisted does that sound? But if you really consider it, it makes complete sense.
1. Good Grades and Enough Sleep
This happens to be the combination I compare myself to. I need a lot of sleep to function normally. I am not a successful person on less than nine hours of sleep. I also want good grades; to complete my double major and minor within three years. The only malicious part about this combination is I do not have a lot of time to spend with my friends. I essentially do not have much of a social life, but it works for me.
2. Good Grades and Social Life
This combination is baffling to me! I do not know how a person could get good grades and have a social life, with little sleep. An example of this lifestyle, to me, would go as follows:
Wakes up at 7:00am
Class from 8:00am-3:00pm
Studies 3:00-7:00pm (Insert social life) 8:00pm-2:00am
<Repeat>
If you think you can make this lifestyle work and be successful, then all the more power to you! Good luck!
3. Social Life and Enough Sleep
Honestly, if you would rather have a stellar social life and get enough sleep, then why be in college? You would save yourself and your family a lot of money if you took a few years off to have fun and figure your life out. I just believe that college would be a waste of time for someone who may not show up to class, let alone apply themselves.
DON'T FREAK OUT
This is not a rule, and I don't think you have to follow this diagram at all! It's just a funny example that I believe to be true for most people. I think all three can be accomplished, and those people have great time management skills and discipline to get work done.
The Upcoming Year...
To everyone starting college as freshman, I wish you the best of luck. Get out there and join clubs, meet friends, kick butt, and enjoy yourselves. In the blink of an eye you'll be walking down another stage, to the rest of your lives.
To everyone else returning to college, remember who you are. Keep your mind set on all the things you want to accomplish. It will be hard, but look how far you've come already. Let's ninja kick this freaking school year right in the bean bags!
