Student Blog: School, Work, AND a Social Life? How Can You Manage the Impossible?

It's a Sunday night, I just got off work, I have an extensive amount of homework due, and I have dinner plans to attend, and I'm feeling drained and overwhelmed. ARGH! Being a college student and trying to manage a very busy schedule is an ongoing learning curve. And no, unfortunately there isn't a set path or right answer to lead you to success. It varies from week to week and person to person.

One of the most important (and hardest) lessons I learned when trying to manage my very hectic schedule was realizing it's okay to say no to things. This was especially hard at the beginning of my first semester. I was desperately trying to make friends so I said yes to every opportunity and social hang out so I could find where my piece fit in the big NYU puzzle. I ended up piling my plate up with way too many things. I wasn't getting enough sleep so I got really sick (laryngitis and an ear infection, it was a party), which affected my work in class and it took me the rest of the semester to fully heal. During my recovery period, the whole time I was wishing that I hadn't said yes to everything, and took care of myself when I knew my body needed rest.

Listening to what YOU need is such an important skill because only you know how much you can handle before it starts to make your body and mental health deteriorate. And just know that it's totally okay to say no to that extra dance class or late night function and take a self care day or even a self care moment. You also have to learn what the most effective ways to practice self care is for you. Maybe it's a face mask, some alone time to cry while watching "The Notebook" or a night in with friends, all of which are valid. I know for me getting an extra hour or two of rest (or just a Levain cookie) can make a huge difference in my mental state and really set me up for success. It's important to figure out what works for you, so you know what to do when you need to unwind or reboot.

Personally, I like to use a planner to organize my week and visually see what days I'm crammed and where I have free time. Seeing my plans for the week as a whole is super helpful and then I can avoid procrastination as much as possible. If I have a super packed week with only one free night where I have nothing to do, I know to get ahead on homework that day and maybe even stay in and go to bed early. Or vice versa, if I have a super free week I know I can take on some extra shifts at my job (shout out to Asi Wind's Inner Circle for being the best place to work) to make some extra money, and or hang with my friends, and not exhaust myself too much.

Everything is a balance and learning your limits is a great first step. It may take some trial and error but that's totally okay and part of the process! You need to first and foremost take care of yourself, if that means not taking up the extra shift or going out to the club with some friends, that's valid. There is a big learning curve when figuring out how to manage all the crazy aspects of your life and what you need to prioritize to be most successful. Just listen to your body and trust yourself, I know it sounds crazy but you actually know best. Good luck with your busy college schedule, I promise it'll get easier!