Part of growing up is figuring out how to balance your life in a way that leaves you happy, healthy, and successful. For many kids, college is the first time where we are mostly independent and, figuring out that balance can be tough. When faced with a multitude of social events, extracurriculars, and sports on top of all of the academic work, it can be easy to feel lost or overwhelmed. From my experience, it is possible to work hard and play hard, it is just a matter of being organized and having priorities.
It is totally possible to have fun in college and still be successful in your academics. I highly recommend keeping a planner and writing down all of your assignments, so you know exactly what you need to do and when it needs to be done. Then, you can prioritize your assignments and study time and map out a schedule. Once all of your assignments are allotted for, then you can start adding in extracurriculars and other fun activities. One thing I’ve noticed is that schoolwork and studying take a lot more time compared to high school. I’ve found that I am the most productive when I dedicate Sunday through Thursday to school work and leave Friday and Saturday for fun activities and self-care. Once you get settled in, it will be easier to figure out what type of schedule works the best for you.
At the end of the day, if you realize that academics need to be a top priority then you will be fine. It’s important to take breaks when you get stressed out and to let loose a little bit. Even studying with a group of friends can help switch it up and give you a break from working by yourself. Its also important to schedule in time when you are just doing something fun, like playing a game, watching a movie, or going out. Having a mental break is healthy, and college is supposed to be fun too! It really comes down to planning out your work and sticking to a schedule. Enjoying your college experience by succeeding academically and having fun will set you up for a great future. Going out and having fun creates long-lasting friendships and memories, and it is healthy to take breaks every now and then. The four years spent at college are a time of growth and maturity, but it is also necessary that people take the time to “work hard, play hard”.