It isn’t uncommon for students attending college to get a little too into the college life by participating in activities and partying, while letting their studies suffer. However, the opposite is also true.
There are plenty of students out there who spend too much time in their dorm room studying!
If you want to be successful in college, you have to find balance. You have to make sure you give your studies the attention they deserve, but you also have to pay attention to your personal life. All work and no play isn’t good for anyone!
Get a little more balance back into your life while attending college with these tips.
Participate in Campus Activities
Studying is important, but going to college is about more than attending classes during the day and reading the assigned chapters in your dorm room at night. You should find other activities to participate in.
Some activities are better than others. Although a frat party may be fun, it isn’t the best use of your time and energy. Instead, look for campus activities.
Every college campus has fun activities for you to choose from. Sierra Nevada College is a great example of a university that offers great student activities. Just a few examples include:
- Team sports, like volleyball, disc golf, and more
- Night activities, like karaoke and video games
- Outdoor activities, like backpacking trips and walking clubs
- Themed dances for the holidays
Every college has its own schedule of events, so make sure you find the ones that work best with your schedule.
Create and Stick to a Study Schedule
It’s important to participate in campus activities, but it isn’t the main reason you’re attending college. You’re there to get a degree, which means studying should be an important part of your day.
The first step is making sure you attend classes. That’s easy because they are already scheduled into your day. Treat studying the same by creating a schedule for it too.
Everyone’s schedule will look different. For example, a student with a lot of afternoon classes may find that studying for a few hours in the morning is best, while another student may study between classes. Night owls may prefer to study right before bed. No matter what your preferences, make sure you pencil studying into your schedule and treat it with the same importance as you do your classes.
Eliminate Distractions
There are a lot of distractions in college. From loud neighbors down the hall in your dorm to parties and even social media, it’s easy to get distracted when you’re trying to study or write a paper. However, you’ll do your best work if you eliminate those distractions to the best of your ability.
While you’re writing a paper, place your phone on silent and out of reach so you aren’t tempted to answer text messages or browse social media. If you have important studying to do, don’t feel like you have to answer the door just because someone knocks. Agree to attend parties only after you have finished your work for the day.
Be wary of multitasking. You may think you’re getting more done in less time by trying to catch up with your mom back home while reading the next chapter in your textbook, but you’ll actually end up spending more time on the task, or less time paying attention. Focusing on one task at a time is a much better study technique.
Care for Your Mental and Physical Health
Between attending classes, studying, and participating in activities on campus, it’s easy to let your mental and physical health slide. After all, college students are known for eating ramen and drinking to excess.
Living that way can harm your body, your mind, and your studies. Instead, you have to make time to take care of yourself.
You can do that by:
- Focusing on eating healthy foods, like fruit and vegetables, even if they cost more
- Make sleep a priority, making sure you get at least eight hours of shuteye each night
- Try meditation as a way to relax and get rid of built-up stress
- Exercise every day, even if it just means getting out and going for a walk
Find Time for a Hobby
You can start to feel like you’re doing things for everyone else when you’re in college. You’re doing the class work for your professors and you’re trying activities because your friends asked you to give them a try. Although you may feel accomplished, and you’re likely to have fun, you should also find time to do something completely for yourself. That’s where a hobby comes in.
Having a hobby can help you take your mind off of things at school, and it can help you relax at the end of a long day. It’s also a great way to pass the time in the event that you find yourself with nothing to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
A hobby can be anything! You can paint, knit, or read a book. It doesn’t matter what hobby you choose, as long as it’s something that’s easy and fun for you to do alone.
Reach out for Help When You Need It
Finding balance at college isn’t easy. It’s normal to spend a little more time on studying for one week and a little more time taking care of yourself after finals are over. But, if you find that keeping that balance has become a little too much, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Most campuses have counselors that can provide you with advice, which might mean dropping a class if your schedule is too hectic, or referring you to a therapist if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Don’t let your life become unbalanced when you attend college. With the tips on this list, you can achieve a balance that’s comfortable for you, and in turn, you will enjoy your time spent at college a lot more.
