As college students, it often feels like we have an endless number of tasks to complete. We’re expected to excel in school by receiving good grades. On top of school, we also worry about our careers. After all, isn’t receiving our dream jobs the goal of college? Popular avenues to landing this job include gaining work experience, completing internships, volunteering, and getting involved on campus. This is a lot to accomplish, and many students feel as if they are falling behind by failing to complete these items.
Our culture heavily stresses the importance of landing a good job, but what about other aspects of our lives? Maintaining balance between different areas of our life is essential for our well-being and ability to be functioning adults. However, finding balance can be difficult for college students because what we are working towards with our education isn’t as tangible as a paycheck. The unfortunate reality is that at the end of the day, obtaining a college degree does not guarantee that you will land the perfect job. Entering the workforce is a big stressor among college students, encouraging students to prioritize their academics. Shouldn’t we do everything in our power to ensure that we find the perfect job, since the odds aren’t in our favor?
I have always been motivated to do well in school. During the earlier stages of my college career, I diverted most of my energies towards earning good grades and turning in my best work for every assignment I submitted. I was thriving academically, but as time passed, I realized that I was neglecting other areas of my life. I am not alone in these experiences.
“My freshman year I was solely focused on getting A’s in my classes. I spent most of my time in my room or in the Wentz Science Center studying and doing homework rather than hanging with my friends, experiencing sporting events, and attending club meetings regularly,” said Kyla Border, ’25.
Tipping the scale to favor social life
Fortunately, we’re constantly learning, and balance fluctuates over time. Old habits can be difficult to break, but we are not tied to our past actions. We have the ability to reevaluate our priorities. As we age, it can be easier to recognize the importance of maintaining balance. If we solely focus on work, we risk burn out. For this reason, maintaining a social life is important.
“Although academics are very important, investing your time and energy in other aspects of life are important as well. This way you may find out what you are interested in and meet new people to form new connections. Once I finally had that realization, my priorities changed tremendously, and honestly, I believe they have changed for the better,” said Border.
Additionally, societal pressure can cause feelings of guilt when prioritizing things that aren’t commonly viewed as productive.
“I sometimes feel guilty prioritizing my social life over school life because I’ve always been told that school comes first.” said Juliana Tamburrino, ’24. “But I also know that for my well-being I also need to make time to spend time with my friends and family.”
Ways to maintain balance
Here are some tips from other college students explaining how they created more balance in their lives:
- Create a to-do list
“I make a to-list each week and put the assignments that are the most important or due earlier at the top of my list. In terms of work or volunteering, I also create a separate list of the tasks I need to complete for those aspects of my life, following a similar process to my to-do list of assignments,” said Border.
2. Set Boundaries
“One of the boundaries I recently set is not doing homework past 9:00 pm,” said Border.
3. Find time for your hobbies
“I try to complete as much homework as possible before dinner so I can relax at night. I color, watch tv, read, or play Minecraft to relax before bed,” said Megan Irelan ’25.
4. Prioritize different areas of your life throughout the week
“I’ll get all my homework done during the week and then I can go see my friends during the weekend,” said Tamburrino.
Finding balance post-graduation
Maintaining a work life balance should not end after graduation. However, it may be more difficult depending on your career.
“I want to be a social worker and there’s a lot of concern around this field with burnout because social workers tend to bring their work home with them at the end of the day. They often encounter burdening topics and things that stick with you. So, I plan to create a balance where I keep my work at work and when I go home, I spend time with my family or friends,” said Tamburrino.
Final Reminders
Avoid measuring your success by comparing yourself to your peers. We all have unique college experiences and what works for others may not work for you. You should not feel guilty about your priorities. This is your life, and therefore, your priorities should be your choice. Don’t let those around you make you feel bad for what you choose to spend your time on because your life is not theirs. Finally, allow yourself some grace. It’s okay to regret what you prioritized in the past, but remember that you are human and you are constantly growing.
