There is a limit to how much we can do. Truthfully, people are not always wrong when they say we have all the time in the world. Time continues on all the time. However, the things we do during that time will matter more than anything else.
As my friends and family have noticed, I overwork myself. In fact, I am going through a whole ordeal with catching a bad cold (or as they call it at Susquehanna, the Susky Plague). It’s not fun. I had to wear a mask around my roommates for a while and yes, even when I slept.
We have so much time in the world to do all sorts of amazing things. In 24 hours, we can accomplish so much. However, if we break down that time, we need about eight hours to sleep, maybe two to four hours for classes, and another four hours or so for homework. Then, we have to count in time for meals and for personal care. In the end, what is left seems pretty limited.
It is tempting to fill up your time. On paper, if you chart it out, it might seem possible to do. However, when it comes to scheduling, we often forget that it helps to be flexible. We are humans with needs as I remind my friends often. We are going to want to put those needs first. There will be times when we need a little more of that “me time.” The opportunities we take on are a whole other responsibility. They have their own set of obligations, which can make finding time for yourself a bit more difficult.
There is enough time in our lives to find space to do what we are excited to try out. But saying no to an opportunity is not a bad thing either. For instance, during the summer, I was asked by a friend if I could take on another social media role for an organization on campus. It was a great chance to try out another role; however, I knew it would be too much for my semester. Thankfully, I was with my professor at the time for a summer job, so I got some great advice. She told me that I already have so many roles on this campus, and it might be time that I let someone else have a chance.
When she told me that, I had to take a moment to reflect on her words. I never thought about it that way before. We can take all these roles, but the more we take, the harder it is for us to fulfill them. There are so many people out there who are capable of taking on the role too. While we could do it, it is also fair to give someone else a chance. Sure, we might not have the role, but we still have our own things to fulfill.
Of course, that should not stop someone from taking up opportunities. If you are truly passionate about something, I would say give it a go. It does not hurt to try as long as you know it can work within your schedule. However, I am speaking to the people who constantly take these opportunities like candy. We’ve heard the saying, “Too much of a good thing is bad.”
The time we spend should be enjoyable. My advisor worded it well when I asked if doing 22 credits with my jobs would be a good idea. I was told that while it was my choice, it would not be fun. It seemed a little weird to me at first because when it comes to college, academics do come first. At the same time, our health and well-being are just as important. We cannot do what we need to accomplish if we are not in a good place.
At the end of the day, you know yourself and your limits best. I cannot dictate what you should do, but I do recommend that you take steps to take care of yourself because you are important. The world is going to keep giving us opportunities, but it is also okay to say no.