Last semester, I wrote an article on why you should always say "yes." Now, a semester later, I'm telling you why it's okay to say "no." I've realized over the past few months that although saying "yes" and trying new things is wonderful, life is more than what you put on your resume. Life is also about taking care of yourself.
Just to clarify, I'm not telling you to say "no" so you can sit in your room and play video games or watch Netflix. I'm telling you to only say "yes" to the things you can handle and the experiences you truly want. It's also important to take time for yourself and be a little selfish; there's nothing wrong with making sure that you are being your best self.
This past school year, I've said "yes" to almost every academic and extracurricular opportunity that presented itself to me. I've become over-involved and I've stretched myself too thin - and it's gotten me nowhere. Don't get me wrong, I have loved everything I've done, and I wish that there were more than 24 hours in a day - but that's not how to have a college experience. As much as college is about school and getting a job, it's also about personal relationships and having a little fun every now and again. This is the only time in your life when you will really be able to focus on yourself and try to figure out what you want in life.
I don't regret any of the things I've been involved in this year. Each opportunity I've had has been an incredible learning experience. I would have never realized what is really important to me and what I'm actually good at. It's important to dip your toes in many different kinds of activities and classes so you can figure out what you like and don't like to do. I highly recommend trying different things and taking different chances. Just don't take on more classes and activities than you have hours in the day. (It's important to sleep!)
Say "no" every once and a while for yourself. Say it so that you can try out something for yourself. Take yoga. Take kickboxing. Try out Indian food. At least those are the things that I wish I would have put time aside for! It's little things like taking yoga or trying a new food that gives you a better understanding of the world and a different perspective. That's not something that goes on your resume, but it makes you a better person.
You can definitely say "yes," but every once and awhile, say "no." Say no so you can try something you have never done. Say "no" so that you have time to sleep. Say "no" just because you feel like it. There's nothing wrong with that. We're not expected to have it all together at every second of the day. I hope that you say "yes," but I also hope that you have the courage to say "no."
