College students seem to live in a constant, never-ending state of stress. If you are anything like me, you might also feel like a walking ball of stress, especially at the end of the semester. Whether it is stress from classes, assignments, work or social obligations, many of us are trying to do it all. Well, we’re here to tell you that you no longer have to do everything life offers you. Learning how to say “no” has been a real game-changer for me this year, it has allowed me to focus more on school and truly spend more quality time with the people I love.
You might be thinking that this state of stress is just going to be your life all of the time in college and there is no way around it. And trust me- there will certainly still be stress in your life no matter how many “no’s” you throw around. But learning what not to do and what to spend your time on is a serious time-management skill that truly makes a difference.
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This semester I started to really focus on what my main priorities were. This is different for everyone but I keep a schedule of my classes, assignments and events that are mandatory to accomplish. Because of how busy my life became, I tried to stick to getting 7-8 hours of sleep regularly so I could function in the best way possible. Then I had to decide what other activities I wanted to prioritize but were not necessarily mandatory. For me this was seeing my friends, going to the gym and talking with my family. By doing this, I was able to complete all of my super mandatory tasks first, then I was able to enjoy my extra activities.
I had to begin to say “no” to people when my plate was getting filled with assignments and work obligations. I realized I didn’t have to go to every taco Tuesday with my girlfriends nor did I feel pressured into picking up someone else’s shift at work. I had to stay-in some Friday nights because I needed to catch up on the sleep I missed throughout the week. These were easy activities to set aside as I understood my priorities at the moment.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
What I didn’t expect was that I began to enjoy my “free time” activities way more than I did before. I felt as if I could be fully present with my friends when I did have the time to see them because I knew that my other tasks were completed. Also, I was a better friend to people who needed it because I had adequate sleep. I always look forward to the time I spend at the gym because it is a place for me to de-stress after a long day of work. The new-found value I feel towards activities that I used to take for granted is the best part of saying “no.”
Learning how to say “no” this semester has seriously helped me manage my stress and time wisely. I value my time so much more than I used to, and I am a better student, friend and daughter because of it. I urge you to try saying “no” to things that no longer serve you- and watch how it changes your outlook on life.