College … the best 4 years of your life they say, or 5 or 6. However long it takes you to finally get that piece of paper that says you’ve had countless sleepless nights and many stressful days. But while you’re in college do you really believe they’re the best years of your life? From all the stress many endure from dealing with school, work, home life, roommates, breakups, make-ups, lack of a relationship, friends, family, us college students are always on the go focusing on the 102 things we have to accomplish before falling asleep at 6am and having to get right back up for that 8am we’ve already missed too many days of. However, what if there was someone, somewhere who knew tips and tricks to help balance your life; whether it’s school, work, or relationships. Not saying I’m going to do that, but here’s my attempt to save the lives of college students & reduce stress.
Tip 1: PICK 2
Lets be realistic, there is no perfect way to equally separate your time so why not just drop and focus on the other 2. It’ll cause you to be less stressed and enjoy more of your college experience. Honestly, this is just one of those tips that’s meant to be my awkward attempt to be funny but you probably got enough of that in the intro.
Tip 2: Avoid procrastination. Learn to manage your time
Your parents, counselors, relatives, and professors were right! One of the hardest skills to have but easily the most needed skill in college. Learning how to manage your time will literally help you so much during your college experience and you’ll realize how much stress is reduced from your day-to-day life. About 30% of college students (my random estimation that’s clearly not based on statistical data) know how to manage their time when they begin college but hopefully by the time you graduate you too can become a time management master (probably not, but you can hope right?)
Tip 3: Learn how to say NO!
You can’t always go on that impromptu date your significant other asked you on because of the stack of homework you have to do before tomorrow. You also can’t always pick up shifts when you know you already promised your friend you’ll hang out with them after many cancelled hangout dates. But lastly, you can’t always volunteer to do something for a school project or for a class when you know you should instead work that extra hour so you can pay for rent this month. In conclusion, learn how to simply say no! It can be hard, but I have faith in you.
Tip 4: Set time aside for ALONE time
When you’re constantly running around trying to finish your homework, be the best employee ever, and be the loving boyfriend/girlfriend you want to be, it can be tiring. So how about you block some time out for just you. This can be hard if it seems like you have no time in your schedule to fit this in. But it’s essential that you do because you need time to just relax & think of answers to those philosophical questions such as “what is the meaning of life?”
Tip 5: If all else fails, cut your losses & watch Netflix or SLEEP
Do I need to say any more? I think the title speaks for itself!
Clearly this was my attempt to be seemingly funny but also share some tips I’ve learned during my 2 short years of college on how to balance school, work, and relationships. You can use them, you might not, but I highly suggest using them. These 4 years of your life are going to fly by so why not make them the greatest by assuring you’re stress free!