Hi, I’m Wolpers, one of the Ask an ‘Eater advice columnists! If you want to ask me, or any of the other advice columnists any questions, fill out the attached google form: https://forms.gle/ydNB7dgvuCiwRkQd8
“How do you learn how to balance school, work, and clubs/orgs?” -Struggling Stressed Out Student
Hi, Struggling Stressed Out Student!
Learning how to balance everything can be extremely hard. I’m sure you’ve heard all of the common advice before, like using a planner and setting up a Google Calendar. Although that advice can be helpful, sometimes you need more out-of-the-box advice.
I currently have a lot on my plate. I’m balancing writing for The Maneater, Greek Life and being a member of a bunch of student orgs such as the Relevant Youth and Sustain Mizzou, and learning how to balance all of this has taken me a lot of time, and I’m still learning. Progress isn’t linear, so don’t beat yourself up for not being able to juggle everything immediately.
Something that helped me during my freshman year was staying outside of my dorm room as much as possible. Doing work outside of your living space, at on-campus locations like Ellis Library and the MU Student Center or downtown spots like Shortwave Coffee and Lakota Coffee, cuts down on any outside distractions. Doing work inside your dorm room wires your brain into associating your room with work, which can make your dorm and even your bed a stressful place to be. Working outside of your dorm allows your room to become your safe space and a place where you can relax, not stress. If you’re doing school work outside of your dorm, proximity to other activities such as work or clubs is also an advantage. Not only will there be limited distractions, but it could also cut down on your travel time, which can be stressful in itself.
Work in small increments and try not to cram. This piece of advice is more targeted toward school work but can also be applied to extracurricular activities. Working towards big projects or tests little by little each day will not only take less time in the long run, but will make sure you are prepared on the day of your test or project. This will lead to less stress and more time to work on other projects or extracurriculars. Working in small increments also gives you more time to relax.
Don’t be afraid to take breaks. Being that busy can be extremely overwhelming, and you can quickly face burnout. Make sure to take a couple of moments each day to take a breath and relax. Pick up a hobby, or watch a comforting TV show or movie. The can help you relax, and give you time to breath. When I feel overwhelmed, I watch “How I Met Your Mother” and doodle. Some fun ways to relax can be picking up a hobby, such as knitting. You can even relax using your phone! Watching a comforting TV show or watching your favorite Youtube videos can help you relax when you need a quick breather. While you might feel you need to keep working and studying 24/7, burnout will hurt you in the long run.
Lastly, utilize a support system. Make friends with people in your clubs, your job and your classes. Having support systems in place will allow you to get help when you need it, especially if you’re overwhelmed with all of your responsibilities. If you need extra support, contact the MU Counseling Center at 573-882-6601. The MU Counseling Center offers a crisis hotline, group counseling and brief individual counseling.
Learning how to balance everything takes a lot of trial and error. It took me a very long time to learn how to balance all of my classes, and I’m still learning! Try different organizational styles and ways to manage your time. Have faith in yourself, and be ready to take the world by storm!
I believe in you!
-Wolpers
Edited by Ever Cole, ecole@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Sam Acevedo and Emily Rutledge
