College life is often described as a balancing act between academics and work. While those two areas deserve attention, the real challenge — and reward — comes from balancing everything else too: self-care, friendships and simply taking time to breathe.
Schoolwork
and jobs can quickly consume many hours of the day. Between classes,
assignments, client projects and part-time shifts, it sometimes feels like my
calendar fills up weeks in advance. Organization helps. I rely on my planner,
sticky notes and Google Calendar to stay on top of deadlines and take care of
business.
But here’s
the thing: school and work alone aren’t everything. Those are important parts
of my college career, but I believe other areas of life should be prioritized
just as much. It’s important to put myself first sometimes too.
If I
ignore my health, my energy crashes. If I skip out on friends, I burn out.
That’s why I see self-care as just as important as academics or paychecks.
Going to the gym is more than exercise — it’s therapy. A good workout clears my
head and makes me more productive. Just like the saying “look good, feel good,”
carving out time to focus on my health motivates me in other parts of life.
Of course,
balance doesn’t look perfect every week. Sometimes school takes over. Other
times, work demands more attention. But I’ve learned balance isn’t about
splitting time evenly — it’s about making space for the things that keep me
whole. That includes friendships, fitness and rest, even when the to-do list
says otherwise.
In the
end, college is about preparing for life beyond campus. And life won’t just be
about work. By practicing balance now, I’m learning how to juggle
responsibilities without losing sight of myself. School and work matter, but so
does the person doing them.
I really enjoyed reading this, Christine! Having a strong balance is so beneficial but it is hard to keep it going. I am also trying to practice balancing everything going on so I can be more prepared for after college.
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