One of the toughest things for anyone to do is balance their time. There is so much going on these days that it’s important for me to balance my time appropriately.
When to study, work, volunteer, hang out, and when to go out. As my grandpa always use to say, “You always have the time to do the things you want in life.” Very fitting.
Organization is very important for me to stay ahead of things and on top of my schedule. I keep my calendar on Microsoft Outlook and have it wherever I am on my Blackberry and iPod Touch. Labeling items and color coordination is helpful as well.
When all is said and done, it comes down to what I want to do the most and what will benefit me. Many times studying is the top priority with big assignments or tests that week. Other days, I choose to give up my time for a long weekend like right now and work the Big Ten basketball tournament. With that comes networking, experience, resume building and getting my “brand” out there. I do miss some social functions in doing so, but in the long run it is well worth it—outworking the competition.
Having a quality social life is crucial. Everyone needs to kick back and just hang out with friends. Work is great and should be fun if you are doing the right things, but it shouldn’t define you.
And don’t ignore the very necessary down time. I always take advantage of my free time by just laying on my couch watching my favorite shows I recorded on my DVR. This allows me to stay on top of my game and get rejuvenated for the next task.
Work hard, play hard. Organization, prioritizing and getting the most out of every task is key.