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8 Tips for Balancing School, Work, & Your Social Life in College

Dec 02, 2021

Suddenly it’s 6:00 am, and your alarm clock wakes you up. You get up, study for your test, and head to classes until 2:00. After that, you go to work until 8:00, do homework, try and see friends, maybe exercise, and get to bed before midnight so that you can get up by 6:00 am the following day to do it all over again. During this time, you also need to have time to eat, breathe, and stay sane. Sound familiar?


While your schedule may look a little different, about 81% of students getting an undergraduate degree also work at least part-time. Most students have to find a way to balance all of these responsibilities while also having time to hang out with friends.


Figuring out how to balance work, school, and a social life can feel daunting while in college. It can be tricky to find the balance between having fun, learning, and making enough money to make it all happen.


Everyone is different and has a different schedule, but people all over struggle with finding balance throughout their college experience.


Here are 8 tips and tricks to help you find the balance between work, school, social life, and time to take care of yourself.


1. Create a Schedule

It is hard to find the time to do everything in a day that needs to get done. Sometimes it feels like there are fewer hours in a day than there used to be, so mapping out how you will spend your time can be beneficial.


Having a schedule will help you stay on top of everything that needs to get done because it allows you to set time aside for each thing. It also enables you to know what needs to happen when, and encourages you to stay organized going into the day.


A great tip is to sit down on Sunday evenings and create this schedule for your week. While your weekly schedule will be similar, there are differences in the weeks. Maybe during finals, you need to schedule more time for studying, and during other weeks you can cut down on study time. Re-evaluating each week will help your schedule be accurate.


You should also schedule fun things. While it is essential to schedule in work, school, studying, and other responsibilities, you should also plan your movie night with friends, time to work out, meal times, and time you can take for yourself. Scheduling all of these things will help make sure you accomplish and balance everything.


2. Find a Way to Organize Your To-Do List

For some people, the satisfaction of physically crossing something off a list is enough motivation to complete the task. For others, a physical list isn't the best way to stay organized.


Finding a way that works for you to organize the list of things you need to accomplish in a day will help you keep everything planned. Keeping everything organized and knowing what you need to accomplish can help you ensure everything gets done that needs to.


There are a lot of apps, planners, lists, and other organization tools you can use to help you stay organized. Find what works for you and your list, then stick to it!


3. Learn to Say No

It can be tempting to always say yes. Maybe someone needs help moving, a friend needs dinner, an extra credit opportunity, a chance to pick up an extra shift, a party with friends, and so many others.


Every day there is a chance to add something more to your plate. Often, these are good things that would be fun, beneficial or just a good thing to do. Saying yes to everything is tempting, especially when you experience real FOMO (fear of missing out), but saying no may help you balance everything else.


Saying yes to every single opportunity that comes your way can end up with you feeling burnt out and exhausted. It can also leave you a full to-do list with nothing checked off.


Learning to say no is an important skill to develop. It is okay not to do everything, not help everyone, and not go to every activity. Learn to say "no" so you can better balance the things you have said "yes" to doing.


4. Be Aware of Unhealthy Stress

To some extent, stress is normal and even a good thing! Feeling a little stressed about your paper helps motivate you to sit down and do it. Pressure can help you feel the need to accomplish the tasks on your to-do list.


But, there is also unhealthy stress that hurts your performance. It is essential to be aware of these feelings and learn what to do when you feel them. There are some specific things that mentally healthy students do. It is wise to take some time and figure out what you can do to manage your unhealthy stress.


5. Set Time Aside for YOU

Sometimes amid the million things to do and balance, you overlook one of the most important things—yourself.


You should do your homework, study, work, and spend time with friends in a day, but if you aren't taking care of yourself, none of those things can happen. Just like on an airplane, they tell you to put on your oxygen mask first and then help those around you. To balance everything, you first need to make sure you take care of yourself, so you have the energy to balance everything else.


Scheduling this time will help make sure you do it. Some self-care practices you may want to include in your schedule are:


  • Mediation
  • Journaling
  • Exercise
  • Reading a book
  • Calling family/friends
  • Watching Netflix
  • Going for a walk


Find the things in life that make you happy and feel recharged, and then schedule them into your day. Even if it is just 20 minutes to get outside, it can change your whole day.


Another important aspect of taking care of yourself is food. Making sure you fuel yourself with nutrient-dense food and drink enough water can help you better balance the other aspects of your busy schedule.


6. Create a Support Network

Creating a trusted, loving support network that can help you during hectic weeks is imperative to balance your school, work, and social life successfully.


Taking time to sit down and rant to a trusted friend can make a huge difference in your ability to establish balance within your work, school, and social life.


Your support network also helps remind you that you aren't alone. Balance is something everyone is working on, and it is okay if you aren't balancing everything perfectly right now. Their kind texts, calls, and encouragement can keep you going through a long day.


7. Stay Focused on the Task You're Doing

While scheduling your time is important, it won't make a difference if you don't stick to the schedule. A huge influence in helping you stick to your schedule is finding a way to stay present and focused on the task at hand.


When you head to the library to work on your paper, try to be present and focused on that paper. Don't think about the dishes you need to do, the work you have to go to in a couple of hours, or the party you are going to later this week.


Staying focused on the task you are currently working on will help you be more efficient and complete things off your to-do list.


8. Give Yourself Grace

College is a challenging and stressful time, but it can also be a time full of fun. Sometimes you may not balance everything perfectly, some things may not get done, and that's okay.


Be kind to yourself. Establishing balance is something you will work on for your whole life.


Balancing everything is daunting and complicated, especially when it feels like your attention is constantly getting pulled in a million different directions every second. Finding ways to balance everything in your life will be something you have to work on for years to come. Hopefully, some of these tips can help you figure out the best way to balance your school, work, and social life while you are in college.


If you have questions about our apartments near DSU, feel free to contact us today!

By Jenn Handy 26 Mar, 2024
Are you heading to college this year? Congratulations! It’s an exciting time with a lot to look forward to. For most people, this is their first time living away from home. If that’s true of you, you might feel unsure about how to begin packing for college–a task that can be more difficult than it sounds.  The key to success is to pack strategically. There’s much to consider when determining what to bring with you, including the weather, space limitations, and roommate preferences. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to packing for your college apartment so you feel ready to tackle the semester. Kitchen Items College apartment kitchens can be tricky. Because your space is shared and limited, you should communicate with roommates to avoid ending up with four toasters. 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You want it to be both comfortable and functional! Don’t forget to pack these items to create a cozy, organized space: Bedding: sheets, pillowcases, pillows, comforter or duvet, blankets Laundry items: laundry hamper, clothes airer, coat hangers. Storage solutions: under-the-bed storage boxes, over-the-door-hooks, hanging organizers for your closet, drawer dividers If you suspect you might need extra storage space, pack multipurpose furniture like storage ottomans or baskets. Consider changing your wardrobe seasonally. Take what you need for the semester ahead and exchange your clothing when you visit home to ensure you have the right clothes for the coming months without overcrowding your closet. Bathroom Items Many college students will share a bathroom while living at or near their university. A shower caddy can make it easier to carry items to and from the bathroom, while travel-sized containers can also save some space. When using a shared bathroom, you may want to invest in shower shoes or sliders to protect your feet. Here are some other essentials to pack: Cleaning products: bathroom cleaner, toilet cleaner, surface wipes, rags/paper towels Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, skin care products, other personal hygiene products Towels: hand towels, bath towels, washcloths, loofah Study Materials Developing a good study routine is important during your early days at college. Forming good habits right away will help ensure you dedicate enough time to your studies while still enjoying the rest of your college experience. These items will contribute to a productive study environment: Organizational tools: file folders, binder clips, small bulletin board/whiteboard, phone for digital organization apps School supplies: notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, sticky notes, tape, stapler, scissors, calendar/planner Technology: laptop/device with charger and accessories, desk lamp/reading light, headphones Decor Remember to be considerate when decorating your college apartment. If you’re thinking about decorating a common area, you should discuss decor preferences with your roommates to help everyone enjoy a comfortable living space. These items are sure to add a little personality to your space: Alternative lighting: string lights, lamps, candles (if permitted) Art: wall art, removable decals, posters, tapestries, renter-friendly shelving Linens and furnishings: throw pillows, blankets, rugs, curtains Personal items: sentimental objects, photographs of loved ones Decorating with items that reflect your personality and interests will make your space feel like home. If you don’t know exactly how to decorate your space, gather ideas from Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok. Miscellaneous Items Many people forget to list miscellaneous items on their college packing lists because they are mundane, but these items can be some of the most important! Remember to pack these basic things for a smooth start to the semester: Additional cleaning supplies : trash cans, vacuum, broom, duster, mop Basic toolkit: hammer, screwdriver, nails, measuring tape, level, pliers, wrench Laundry supplies : detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, stain remover Sports equipment : yoga mat, resistance bands, or small workout equipment for staying active Contact Vintage Tabernacle There are many items to consider when packing for college. Building a home takes time, and you may not have everything you need right away. Keep a running list of items you are missing, and if times are tight, purchase them gradually in order of importance. Consider buying items secondhand as well. Items don’t have to be new as long as you have what you need. Your college apartment should be somewhere you feel safe and comfortable. Planning ahead and adding your personal touches can make a big difference as you settle into your new place. 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If you have any questions, check our FAQs or send us a message via our convenient contact form.
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