Somehow, between everything from the good and the bad, I always feel busy and never fully caught up. Between classes, internships, and trying to maintain a social life in what’s supposed to be the “best four years of my life,” it feels like the busiest time of my life. From an outside perspective, my peers think I’m easy-going and have it all figured out. In college, people romanticize being “booked and busy”, since it means you’re being productive and making the most of your time here.
What everyone seems to sweep under the rug is how overwhelming this lifestyle can be.
As college students in today’s world, we have the expectation of balancing numerous tasks at once. For example, in my life I am currently balancing three internships, staying on track with school work, and am actively planning what my life looks like after graduation. To add onto all of that, I have to also deal with the pressure of having a social life, attempting to take time for myself, and enjoying every moment with my friends. The hardest of them all is taking time for myself. Any downtime I get, my mind spirals and thinks that there is always something else I need to be getting done.
Yes, being “booked and busy” shows ambition, but what it doesn’t show is severe burnout at the end of the day.
Throughout my time here, I’ve come to realize that being busy isn’t as glamorous as people make it seem. In order to make being “busy” as great as it looks, I’ve had to learn how to prioritize what matters most to me.
Here are a few things that have helped me manage my time better:
- Prioritize what matters most to you. Focus on what aligns with you, your goals and your overall needs.
- Be intentional, especially with your time. Learn to be okay with saying no to the things you know drain you. Only say yes to things that you truly do want to do.
- Map out your week: my personal favorite is writing down my week at the start and setting priorities for each day. It makes it feel way more manageable and organized to not let your brain get scrambled.
- Take time for yourself! Remember that taking time for yourself is not selfish or lazy, but instead a great way to recharge.
Being “booked and busy” isn’t a bad thing, it shows you’re involved, motivated, and working towards your future. We’re all still trying to figure it out, but what I’ve come to understand is that success in college isn’t necessarily about doing everything, but doing what matters and enjoying the life you’re building for yourself along the way. Balance isn’t necessarily having less to do, but learning how to handle everything you take on.