By Caroline Franklin, PR/Media Coordinator, Spring 2020
College is a full-time job, whether we want to admit it or not. Think about it, all of those hours spent in class, reading, studying, writing, and working in groups for projects- that all adds up to one monster work week. It’s pretty stressful to think about, I know. Although we are all focused on passing our classes and just making it by in general, it’s time we talk about creating a balance. I’m not talking about a work and play balance, but a work and life balance. Here’s a few things I do to make sure I’m not only taking care of my grades, but also myself.
Plan out your week. Add in time for yourself. Planning out your week allows you to visualize everything that has to get done that week, but it also allows you to see when you have a few moments to yourself. Even if you find no time in your schedule for yourself- pencil in a fifteen minute break to chat with friends. Maybe an hour break to grab dinner; because let’s face it, sometimes as students we don’t remember to eat great meals between studying.
Set aside time that is just for you, not for work. Whether it’s finishing up a paper during your morning coffee, or frantically working on assignments during a lecture, we all have times that we use to work that could really be used for something else. Make it a pledge to yourself to just enjoy your coffee, and finish that paper after, or just listen in lecture, and start that assignment after.
Get. That. Sleep. According to a report from Sleep Advisor, “most college students average between 6-6.9 hours of sleep a night.” It’s easy to get carried away with work and not head to bed until late; but it’s important that we are getting enough rest, so that we can be at our best to tackle everything we have to do. I know we were all thrilled when our parents let us out of having bedtimes at age 12- but it’s time we set one for ourselves again. Whether it’s 11 p.m. or 3 a.m., keep yourself accountable for your rest.
Though most of this advice seems obvious, I think that sometimes as college students we forget that they are necessary. Try and incorporate these steps into your life; and hopefully it will become a little easier to manage everything that you have going on.