18 Credits, Student Employee, Greek Life and Other Organizations– How Can It All Work?

As ambitious college students, it can be difficult to find the balance between completing rigorous coursework, working as a student employee, and engaging with campus organizations that serve and fulfill us. I have taken 18 credits almost every semester of my college career, worked as a student employee in the Campus Store and in the Division of Student Affairs, acted as a sister of the Sigma Kappa sorority, and involved myself as a College of Arts and Letters Ambassador as well as an editor for the HER Campus collegiate women's journal– so I know exactly how it feels to be overwhelmingly busy. However, I have learned a few tricks along the way that allow me to manage my time and ensure that I am serving myself, my studies, and the organizations I am involved with that I will share with you to help manage your time.  

Tips for Time Management:  

1. Keep multiple forms of tracking to plan your days . I use a whiteboard calendar, paperback planner, and consistently review the Canvas Calendar to map out when my assignments and key events take place.  

1. Make lists. I create a to-do list for myself each day. This could be digital in your note app on your phone or on paper. This centralizes your tasks to make it less overwhelming and allows you to take things day by day.  

1. Communicate. Look forward in your schedules and communicate with professors, peers, and other people that can support you. If you know you have a lot going on in one week and you will need extra time for an assignment, talk to your professors, they know that you are human too!  

It is extremely easy to feel burnout very soon into the semester when you've taken on many responsibilities. However, the health of your mind and body are most important. Here are a few tips to avoiding burnout and keeping a healthy mindset through a busy semester:  

 

1. Practice gratitude. Oftentimes we get wrapped up in the things we “have” to do instead of remembering that we once wished we were in the positions of the present. Instead of thinking “I don't want to go to class,” think about how incredible it is that you have the opportunity to get an education.  

1. Reward yourself. Sometimes we need a bigger push to get through the week. You can reward yourself with things you can purchase such as a coffee for doing well on an exam/project, or you can reward yourself with something you may already have access to such as an extra hour of TV after a long day of studying.  
2. Only be involved in organizations that serve who you are and who you want to become. When you truly feel passionate and love what you are involved with, it feels rewarding instead of draining to participate and support these organizations, which in turn, makes the organizations themselves better. Do not be afraid to remove yourself from an organization if you feel it does not serve you.