The life of a college student can either be the ultimate ride or the scariest rollercoaster. It’s both a blessing and a curse. And for those of us who like to stay busy, and I mean really busy, it can be hard to make the right choices for our health and wellbeing. Here are five stages every hustler on campus goes through.
Motivation takes the stage The semester has just started, and you’ve already scheduled your meetings months in advance. Heck, you’ve even planned out the rest of your college career from the classes you’ll take to the orgs you’ll join. You are right on track and ready to tackle the challenges ahead. Your planner is looking a little packed, but you’re not worried. It’s all about time management.
You’re making it work Maybe, just maybe, leaving home at 7 a.m., coming back at 8 p.m. and gobbling down some gray stuff in your fridge before leaving again to club meetings can get tiring. You’re still up for it though. The passion’s still there, and hey, if anything you’re giving your resume a boost. Your friend-who’s-just-your-friend-to-borrow-your-notes texts you and asks if you’ve finished the math homework yet. Wait, there was math homework? The cute guy in your 3 p.m. lab talks to you after class and asks if you’re free for lunch tomorrow. You almost say no but catch yourself. “I’ve managed thus far, I must be like, superwoman or something,” you tell yourself. “One lunch can’t hurt, right?”
You’re “handling it” Breakdowns are just a part of life. Maybe they’re a daily occurrence, but it will all be over soon… you know, by the end of the semester. Mid-terms and finals are just around the corner and you really relate to those 80s bubble gum commercials, right before the bubble pops all over the curly hair and crazy eyeshadow. While your friends go out on Friday nights, you find that sometimes you have to sacrifice the fun in order to not sacrifice the grades. “Balance is my mantra,” you chant. “Balance and ignoring the fomo.”
Maybe yoga will help? A little stress is good, productive even, but a lot of stress only stresses you out even more. What if you get sick? You can’t afford that. What if you start to bald? Maybe you’re taking it a little too far now. But how would you know? You are enveloped in the heavy, cumulonimbus cloud of stress and it doesn’t look like there’s a way out. Your heartbeat quickens and anxiety levels are through the roof. There is no time for breaks, but maybe you can fit in a ten minute yoga sesh in the morning? Even some meditation will do you good. You truly make the effort, but come to realize that you really need every extra minute of sleep.
You put yourself first Self care is important. Deep down inside, you know that. It’s the constant comparison of yourself to other students and the need to stand out that forces you to do anything and everything. But sometimes, it’s okay to say no. It’s okay to not be super involved all of the time and give yourself a rest. College is about discovering yourself and exploring new avenues, not about graying at a young age. Maybe you start journaling or create a zen garden, if that’s your speed. Although this mood is more than likely temporary, it will all be okay because you have next semester to do it all over again.