After graduating high school, I remember seeing this “You Pick 2” myth about college surface the internet. It was something like: You can only pick two: Sleep, Social Life, and Good Grades.
I was expecting college to be full of all-nighters spent studying because my FOMO caused me to stay out late a few days before a big exam. I expected missing out on opportunities to socialize and meet new people because I had homework to do. However, I came to learn that it is definitely possible to get adequate sleep, have a social life, and achieve good grades.
First things first, we all define enough sleep, a good social life, and good grades differently. For some of us, we only need 6 hours of sleep or less a night to function. For me, I need at least 7 or 8 hours.
A good social life for some may mean eating every meal with friends and going out at least 3 nights a week. For others, it means using the school week to focus on academics and seeing friends on the weekends. Some of us strive for A’s in all our classes, while for others a couple Bs and Cs here or there are perfectly fine.
I hate to break it you, but you can’t have all three if you don’t sleep. Getting adequate sleep each night is necessary for everyone to function. Sleep plays a huge role in your physical health. Lack of sleep can affect daytime functioning, hormonal balance, immune system, memory retention, appetite and so much more. Sure, a few all-nighters here and there aren’t detrimental to your health, but consistently not getting enough sleep can take a toll on your body.
So how can you have it all? The key is moderation. Once you realize your priorities, it becomes that much easier to check off each box. You probably shouldn't go out the night before a big exam. But if you want to, go home earlier than usual or make sure you have been studying throughout the week so you're extra prepared. Planning and organizing, and putting schoolwork first are definitely key to avoiding constant FOMO and creating memorable and exciting experiences with your friends.
You will know yourself and what works best for you. The hard part is figuring it out. No one has a perfect life. There are very few people, if any, who sleep restfully each night, have a thriving and exciting social life, and achieve spectacular grades. But achieving your personal balance isn’t too hard.
Balancing these three factors out can make for an extremely rewarding college experience. You may have to pull an all-nighter or two, and you will miss out on social opportunities. Keeping the big picture in mind is essential. Being healthy doesn't only mean sleeping well and eating healthy. Self-care includes taking time to relax and doing things you enjoy.
