When I first got to college, I thought it was going to be all about classes and hanging out figuring out my future. I didn’t expect the actual hardest part to be balancing everything. Classes, friends, staying healthy, keeping in touch with family, mental health—and don’t even mention trying to get enough sleep? It adds up.
If you’re feeling like you’re constantly juggling too much, you’re not alone. Here are some things that helped me start to feel more in control:
Schedule “Nothing” Time
This is a big one. Block out an hour in your planner or Calendar and just label it “do nothing”. You don’t have to be productive every second.
That time can be for walking, scrolling Pinterest, or laying on your bed doing absolutely nothing. You need it. Want a real challenge, there is some real power behind nothing, no phone, no music, just nothing.
Create a Weekly Activity
Pick one consistent thing every week that grounds you—something you can count on. For me, it’s going to church on Sundays. No matter how messy the week is, that time brings me peace.
Yours could be a workout, a study group, calling your mom, or even your favorite TV show. This can be great to add some consistency to a new and ever changing lifestyle
Say “No” More Often
In college, there’s this weird pressure to say yes to everything. But honestly, the most powerful thing you can do is say no when you need to.
No to one more club meetings. No to a late-night hang when you’re exhausted. Though it is important to put yourself out there and step out of your comfort zone, there is a way to balance.
Tidy Up Your Space (Just a Little)
Not a full deep clean—just a 5-minute reset. I put on a song and tidy up my desk or make a mini to-do list for the next day. It’s crazy how much better I sleep when my space feels a little more put together.
This is also something great to do when you just want a break, but is more productive than scrolling.
Don’t Compare Your Balance to Someone Else’s
Your type of balance might look very different from your roommate’s or your favorite lifestyle creator. That’s okay. You don’t have to do yoga at 6am or juice cleanses for the week to be “doing it right.”
Your balance is going to be something that works for you, even if it takes awhile to find.
You don’t need to have it all together. No one does. But taking little steps to find balance can make your college experience feel a lot more manageable