It always amazes me how college students can manage multiple responsibilities and priorities while also doing their best to live out the college life experience. I never expected to be in a position where I have three different positions that I manage in my life, while also doing my best to make time for myself and my social life. In addition to being a full-time student, I am also on the Scripps PRSSA executive board as the current president, and I am a part-time intern for the same company I worked for this past summer. It has been a process easing into wearing three different hats that are very different from one another. What has motivated me through navigating this is knowing I thoroughly enjoy and thrive in all these areas of my life. I know that I am not the only one who needs to balance different areas in life through college, but through my experience, I have developed ways that help me manage this. These tips may also work for you or inspire you to find ways to help you manage your professional and personal life.
- Properly manage a schedule
No two schedules are the same. When looking into my main schedule, I have in-person classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which allows me to work my internship on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. When I am focused on school or work, I make sure that I am fully present in the responsibilities I have for the specific area. When I need to flip back and forth, I make sure to set specific times to fully work on one thing or the other. Managing a schedule that you can tightly stick to will allow you to stay focused and not run off the rails too often. It can be quite stressful to juggle multiple tasks. I have found this to be the best way to stay organized and keep on track. - Stay ahead (when you can)
When there are opportunities to be able to do assignments or tasks early, take advantage of that. There is an extreme feeling of peace and decreased stress when you recall having already finished tasks. This helps free up more time for you to be able to have more free time for yourself. It is a great way to easily manage your different life aspects and responsibilities. - Value your personal life
By this, I mean it is vital to embrace the moments when you can rest. Our brains run at the speed of lighting when we must prioritize multiple different responsibilities. If you need to take a walk, take it. If you need to have a quick nap, do it. And if you just need to drive around your favorite areas, then take a drive and turn up your most cherished music. It is not looked down upon to simply take a step back, even in the middle of your day. These small acts can help delay any heavy stress or potential burnout.
