I'm the poster child for putting too much on my plate. It's not uncommon I won't be home for 10 hours at a time, because I'm running around campus, in the library, or at my fifth meeting of the week. It's a hectic life, but its also an enriching life. Although it can get stressful, having a lot to do makes me happy. It gives me energy to be always having to be on my toes doing another task or talking with another person about something. I like to learn new things and experience anything I can, so I fill my days with things that will make that happen.

Joining organizations and taking on different roles within in them has helped me meet some amazing people, that have become great friends. Those roles have also taken up lots of empty space in my planner. While some might look at a packed schedule and think there is no down time, I see it as a way to get to know other people and make connections. Had I not taken on a leadership role that filled my time with meetings and events, I might not have gotten to make the connections I have and I would not have found an amazing new group of friends.

Creating a class schedule with more classes than I maybe should take is something else I fall victim to. Again, I do it for good reason. I love to learn and explore different subjects to figure out what my interests might be after I graduate. That's exactly what I have been able to do by keeping myself busy. I spend a lot of time on campus in the library, constantly working on another assignment or reading another chapter, but all for good reason. It can become taxing and sometimes a breather becomes necessary, but in the end the busy life is worth it to go that extra mile.

Being a busy person also has its downsides. Sometimes plans and work become a whirlwind and its difficult to tell which way is up. That's when you know its time to stop and take a minute to prioritize and figure out what is most important at that moment. It's easy to get caught up, so being able to tell when it's time to stop is something that a busy person has to know how to do in order to stay sane. Knowing how the best way for you to relax is just as critical as knowing when to do so. Finding a way to squeeze in that time to do something just for yourself makes being busy a little less stressful.

In the end, keeping busy, despite its stresses, provides great experiences and opens so many doors that are worth exploring.