Balancing classes, chaos and your sanity

BY LINDSEY HUGHES

Art Director

The fall semester is often the most chaotic, busy and stressful time of the school year. Balancing all of the hustle and bustle that comes along with figuring out classes, work, extracurricular activities and sometimes sports can be an added task in and of itself.

Whether your time as a college student has just begun, is in full swing or is coming to a close, the stress that comes with starting a new semester can be alleviated—or even eliminated—by choosing to start some very simple but effective practices.

Susannah Millerborg, a former kinesiology student at Tarleton State University, attested to the fact that juggling everything at once can be mentally and physically draining. This is especially true if you’re unsure what steps to take to alleviate some of that stress.

“Honestly, my top tip for maintaining all of those responsibilities while still staying mentally okay would be to keep realistic goals for yourself and make sure to prioritize you,” Millerborg said. “Getting grades and earning money are important, but none of that matters if you aren’t okay. Use the downtime you have to do what fills your cup.”

This is an important thing to remember, especially for those who are living away from home at college for the first time. Work hard, study hard and find time to have fun with extracurriculars, but don’t forget to prioritize everything based on obligation, too.

Those major papers, deadlines, big work shifts and so on most likely need to be on your list of obligations. Social events, and even those time-intensive yet flexible club meetings, can sometimes be second-tier on the list of important tasks. However, the important thing is to never forget that your mental health is of utmost priority.

It is endlessly important to learn that saying “no” is not, by any means, a bad thing. As college students, sometimes we get so caught up in what people consider the “college experience” that we forget it’s okay to say no and put ourselves first. Of course, things like going to campus events and having fun with friends are an important part of being in college, but it's also okay to say no to a night out to get a much-needed night in.

Using downtime wisely is another key player when it comes to creating the best semester possible for yourself. Think about the amount of time we spend scrolling social media, playing video games or doing other activities that don’t necessarily benefit us or our busy schedules. These things are good in doses, but it's important to consider how that time could be used to ease some of the unavoidable stress that the balancing act of college produces.

Downtime could look like going on a peaceful evening walk, going to the gym, reading a book, getting an extra two hours of sleep (often a rare commodity in college) or simply having a peaceful evening in with friends or roommates. Anything that promotes a mentally and physically healthy, happy you is productive downtime.

Tarleton junior Kynlie Bogle is one example of someone who struggled to balance it all at first. With a rigorous psychology class schedule, as well as a hometown job, she understands the amount of juggling needed to stay afloat in college.

“I think the things that helped me most were planning my weeks ahead of time and doing my best to stay ahead on class work, rather than procrastinating,” Bogle said. “Planners, both online or pen and paper, are super useful tools that help you visualize your time and deadlines.”

Planners, possibly one of the most bought yet least used school supplies, can be a game-changer for a student with a busy semester. Being able to visualize deadlines, important dates, special events or work shifts can help a hectic life become an organized one.

Even if it only gets updated or looked at once a week, that one time can be the key to time management. Blocking time in your planner for study, homework or even planned downtime can make a difference in the semester and your mental health.