Life in college can be hectic when you’re constantly trying to balance school work, athletics, extracurriculars, and a social life all at once. Coming into college can be especially overwhelming because of all the opportunities that exist and all of the freedom that you have to choose. Getting to know yourself as both a student and as a social being can help you in this area in several ways.
Gaining an awareness of how long it takes you to complete different tasks will allow you to block out a specific amount of time each week or each day to dedicate to school work. The same can be done for self care and socialization as well. Blocking out time to dedicate to yourself each day and each week should also be a priority as you begin to learn yourself and your schedule. Allotting time for social activities and rest/relaxation will help you perform at your best and to make smarter decisions when it comes to choosing between staying in or going out.
Knowing yourself and the things that would benefit you or hinder you in a given situation can be the key to success. For some people, keeping a planner and having a set schedule regarding when you can socialize and when you need to hit the books is the most helpful option. For others, taking it day by day and creating a to-do list which includes some aspects of both may be more realistic and beneficial. Trying out various methods to see what works best for your learning, and the schedule that you are managing is the key to balancing it all. Finding people that you look up to who can give you advice about what’s worked for them can also be extremely beneficial, especially during your first few semesters of college.
