Whether you’re a first year still stumbling through all the options available to you on campus, or a seasoned junior and looking at your resume with despair, finding the perfect mix of involvement, classes, jobs, and life can be overwhelming. At Vanderbilt, the pressure is on, and it can easily feel like you’re falling behind your peers. We all know a girl who is on the exec board for both her sorority and her service club, who is an RA, and who has an equally charming boyfriend. It seems like they are in endless supply, and like you’re just an imposter.
The truth is that not everyone is as well balanced as they seem, and you can’t measure your worth by the actions of others. To truly do well at school, you only need to be the best you possible. Doing your best doesn’t include doing it all and overcommitting yourself until you burn out, but it also doesn’t mean letting opportunities pass you by.
Getting the right balance requires finding one or two things you can get excited about. For some, that may be programming, or baking, or mentoring middle schoolers. It’s okay to go to a bunch of interest meetings, but you should do so in order to understand what it is you’re looking for. Reach out to friends, parents, older students, and club leaders to get an idea of what each opportunity offers. Eventually you’ll find something you’re passionate about getting involved in.
But balancing your life also means focusing on things besides extracurriculars. Classes may seem like an inconvenient roadblock in your fun college years, but they should actually be what gets you excited each morning. Most likely, your classes will bear at least some relation to your future career, so if you’re not enjoying them now, you’re certainly not going to enjoy them ten years from now. Pick classes you love, not just classes you think you need.
You may also be looking for a job. Your education is your first job and should receive the most attention. That being said, if it is financially necessary you should try for on campus options first. They will always be more flexible around your class schedule, whereas the bar down the road may need folks on call.
Lastly, remember having fun (not too much or too little) is an important part of your mental health and development. You don’t have to be with people all the time, but if you grab a meal every so often, go to an on-campus event or meeting, or even just study with friends you’re doing just fine.
Getting caught up and wanting to sign up for every club, go to every tailgate, take every course requirement right now is going to overwhelm you quickly. College is all about learning and exploring. It’s okay if you have no idea what you’re doing. Chances are, neither does anyone else.