Between classes, meetings, volunteer work, lunch dates, and study sessions, ambitious and savvy collegiettes™ have a lot on their plates —and we’re only talking about the daytime! So, what to do when your day planner is already filled to the brim yet you just can’t fathom spending a Thursday night in with your boyfriend pillow, fro-yo, and Mean Girls when there is a smorgasbord of frat parties, socials, and girls nights to pick and choose from?
If the aforementioned situation sounds familiar, you may have a classic case of “Fear of Missing Out,” or FOMO. As collegiettes™ we aim to make the most of our sweet-yet-fleeting college experience, even if that means cutting corners in the sleeping area in order to make happy hour at the best dive bar downtown. Never fear, sister! Once you have been officially diagnosed with FOMO, you’ve got your work cut out for you. With a little self-prescribed time management, a dose of social finesse, and a dab of academic integrity, you have the perfect formula to successfully balance work with play.
A Little Insight on FOMO
FOMO quickly manifests itself as a stressful and taxing condition when we allow ourselves to believe the false notion that saying ‘no’ to a social event instantly equates to a dull evening. This is simply not true! According to Dan Ariely, professor of behavioral economics at Duke University, social media is undeniably to blame for this recent, widespread phenomenon.
“When we scroll through pictures and status updates, the worry that tugs at the corners of our minds is set off by the fear of regret,” Ariely says. “We become afraid that we’ve made the wrong decision about how to spend our time.” If you feel like you have fallen victim to FOMO, logging out of Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and other social networking sites may help quell the feelings of anxiety and regret surrounding your night in. College is the prime time to rack up new friends and experiences, and we often feel the pressure to grasp at every new opportunity. However, getting a handle on FOMO before it controls you beyond college is key. Try continually reminding yourself that your social life is not dictated by your peers, sorority sisters, or roommates, but only by you!
