Find Your Balance

Considering that most college students work at least one part-time job, finding balance between school, work, and life can be pretty stressful. In addition to stresses and demands of daily life, we also have deadlines to meet, bills to pay, and work to wake up early for or come home late from. Trying to balance all of this can be a bit overwhelming.

Take it from someone who has made a few mistakes and learned from them. When it comes to balancing, I have a few things to share:

Tip# 1 Priorities

From my own experience, knowing my priorities has been the most beneficial when it comes to making important decisions. The big things always come first; family, future, health, sanity, happiness…to name just a few. So do what matters most to you and the rest will follow. We won’t always get it right the first time (or the first FEW times) but we will eventually realize how much of an importance those things are once tested and proven.

Tip# 2  Let Good In, Keep Bad Out

Eat vegetables, make new friends, exercise, journal, take a hike, watch a movie, watch the sunset, visit your grandparents, take pictures, study (you’ll feel great when you get a good grade), smile at strangers, paint, try new things, etc. Doing something positive can lift up our mood and inspire us to be the person we want to be.

And know when something is affecting your life in a negative way… then respectfully (or not) leave those things behind. Be it a friendship, a relationship, or a habit; we want to grow as individuals and anything toxic has the potential to slow us down. Know your limits and be at peace with yourself.

Tip # 3 Use Time Wisely

Time is a gift and we should use it wisely. Spend more time being productive. I know I’ve definitely not been so wise in this area myself. Have you ever spent the whole day with friends when you should be finishing that one assignment that’s due the next day? Or procrastinated on a school project only to regret it later because you’re drowning in SO MUCH work? I have! Being productive will help us stay organized and be on top of things. We should do it more often!

Tip # 4 Be OK With How Things Are

Some things will outweigh the others. And that’s ok.  The important thing is that we don’t get lost trying to find our balance in this world that is full of surprises.