“Life is all about choices,” my dad used to tell me. “And sometimes the best choices aren’t always the one you prefer, remember that.”
When I became a college student only 2 short months ago, this quote began to resonate with me more and more each day. What I previously had disregarded as irrelevant advice soon became to echo my life. I quickly learned that not only life in general, but also college life, was in fact all about choices. The choice of whether or not to skip class, or whether to study for that Friday morning midterm or to go out partying until the wee hours on Thursday night, or even the choices concerning eating well, exercising, and maintaining a good sleep schedule, face each of us every day.
College is a balance. Everybody wants to have a social life, but also wants to get good grades, to be at the top of their social structure, and at the top of their class. I remember seeing once a picture on Facebook of a triangle that had three categories at each intersection labeled “Enough Sleep,” “Good Grades,” “Social Life,” followed by the phrase “college: pick only two.” But I’m here to tell you that this is a lie; it is possible! You can have all three if, and only if, you learn how to find the perfect balance.
So, I give you my “Easy Ways to Actually Have a Life, to Get Your Work Done and to Have a Good Night of Sleep” checklist:
1. Prioritize
What is really important to you? The party this Saturday night or your essay due Sunday morning? Once you understand what actually matters and means something to you, the rest will hopefully come easy. Remember that when it comes down to it, you are going to college to get an education. In fact, chances are that the guy you are dancing with at the party already has his work done for the entire week. Never let social events, athletic games, or anything else get in the way of you achieving that proud diploma moment.
2. Sacrifice
Understand that sometimes you will have to make a tough decision, even if it hurts. It’s hard to miss out on an event and not feel a little bit like an outcast. But trust me, sometimes it is worth it, and everybody has to do it at some point. Occasionally we have to sacrifice something minuscule in lieu of something bigger. A good grade on an exam will, in the long run, mean much more to you than going to one party. There are parties and athletic games every weekend, but there are only so many exams to truly prove yourself and succeed.
3. Schedule
Instead of wasting your time in between classes checking Facebook and procrastinating, get something done! 10.5 billion minutes are spent on Facebook daily; could you imagine how much more could get done if people cut back even a little? Remove the distractions, set goals for yourself, and schedule your day. I have found that some days nothing is more rewarding than being able to check off a task on my “to-do list” at the end of my day. Not only will you feel accomplished, but you will also be able to organize all aspects of your life whether it be academics, clubs, athletics, or even just down time.
So go buy a cute planner from the bookstore (you can even get a pink one and decorate it! I won’t judge.) Invest in some multicolor sticky notes, some sparkly pens, and make yourself a plan. You can do it: you can balance the academic and social aspects of college and still have enough time to breathe! So collegiates, get out there, get determined, and still have time to enjoy it all…
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