Shifting from summer break to the fall semester at the University of Miami can be exhilarating due to the parties, club meetings and students’ enthusiasm. At a certain point, however, students realize they cannot do everything — they need some sort of balance.
The beginning of college often feels like a fairytale. A new, sparkling environment: new people, new opportunities and a new version of oneself. That excitement can lead students to participate in what seems like a thousand different activities in the first few weeks.
But as time passes, students usually realize that the dozens of clubs they join, the hundreds of parties they go to and the ever-growing pile of assignments on their to-do list just do not fit into their schedule. This can cause students to feel overly tired and even burned out.
Although the worrying and stress can feel never-ending, they can start to fade once a more stable routine is established.
But first, rest
Once a student realizes that they have been focused on too many things at once or that they are slacking off, they sometimes determine the next right thing to do is lock in on one single thing immediately.
While they are not completely wrong, they are not exactly right either. When students focus their attention on multiple different things, such as clubs, friend groups and parties, they will inevitably feel stressed. Before shifting their focus to the academic part of college, they should look inward and understand that rest is needed before tackling anything else. If one’s mind and feelings are not in the right place, their work will not be either. Taking time for oneself and refreshing should be a priority.
Kayleigh McMann, a junior double majoring in biochemistry and nutrition with minors in exercise science and classics at the University of Miami, spoke about how the first weeks on campus were very rewarding, as she was ecstatic to be back with her friends. However, she noted that she quickly became overwhelmed by having too many commitments.
“Going to church to recharge” is how McMann claims she found solace during those times of tension.
“I like to use free time to do important, more necessary work and tasks, but using free time for myself helps me do other stuff better,” said McMann.
Taking care of oneself is essential at any time, especially during stressful and eventful moments. Participating in activities that allow the mind and body to relax can help people regulate their emotions.
Like McMann said, going to church and finding a source of energy outside of just clubs and classes is a great option. Alongside that, students can explore outlets like taking walks around campus or the surrounding neighborhoods, journaling, reading a cozy book, baking a yummy treat or doing a face mask.
Setting a routine
When students are more at ease and comfortable with the shift to the scholarly season, it is time to get back to a steady routine. To balance the social and academic aspects of college, one must adopt a routine that isn’t too lenient or too tiring.
“Make a list of all things you have to do. Maybe divide it into subtasks,” advised Sofia Garcia, a UM sophomore.
Having a way to be reminded of tasks — whether through a physical agenda, a digital calendar or even a spreadsheet with all the assignments and their statuses — is a must for any college student who wants to manage their time.
However, the calendar is not the only tool that can fix someone’s routine. Yes, knowing what has to be done every day is important, but having enough energy to do those things is even more important.
Sleep is a major part of being healthy and sustaining a routine. For students to sit in class, participate, do their assignments, hang out with friends or prepare for exams, they need consistent rest.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, sleeping for seven to nine hours is ideal. This allows for more regulated cognitive and emotional functions, both of which are incredibly important for young adults. Additionally, drinking lots of water, eating nutrient-dense food daily and working out should also be a part of students’ routines.
Health at the helm
Making the most of college should not come at the expense of your mental and physical health. The same way you schedule club meetings or study breaks, schedule time for yourself. Take the time to recharge, recoup and reset, and you will soon find everything else will fall into place.