Balancing Responsibilities

Why It Matters

College life comes with many responsibilities, including classes, work, clubs, and a social life. Without balance, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or burned out. Learning to set boundaries, manage time, practice self-discipline, and focus on what you can control helps you stay on track and improve your overall well-being.

How to Balance Responsibilities

The following steps can help you manage your time and commitments effectively, allowing you to maintain a healthy balance:

Set priorities and identify what you can control. Only commit to activities that align with your personal or academic goals. It is okay to say “no” to additional responsibilities that may overextend your schedule. Focus on tasks or commitments where you have the most impact, and avoid stressing over things outside your control.
Use a planner or app to track deadlines, events, and personal time to avoid double booking and to manage your workload. A good rule of thumb is to create a schedule where 70% of your time covers your priorities, and 30% of your time is flexible. This will ensure you have extra time for unforeseen issues that might arise. Make sure you set reminders for important tasks and deadlines, reviewing your schedule each week. Practicing self-discipline in planning helps build consistency, making it easier to avoid last-minute stress.
Most importantly, make time for self-care. Set time aside for relaxing activities like walking, exercising, or reading for fun. Part of self-care also means practicing self-compassion. Accept that it's okay to take breaks without guilt.

When to Use It

Whenever you feel overwhelmed or stressed, use these steps to regain balance. Regularly revisiting these steps will help you stay in control and create the balanced lifestyle you need to succeed.

Action Steps:

Every day, take a few minutes to relax, which will help you recharge and maintain focus. This week choose one responsibility that does not align with your personal or academic goals to say “no” to and focus on a task that is within your control. Challenge yourself this month to start using a planner or app consistently to manage your time.