Balancing work and play

College is the young adults’ introduction to life.  It is a whole new experience, specific to the individual, where freedom to do as one pleases without parental restrictions can be alluring.  The most integral skill we learn in college is balancing work and play.  Without guidance, this task can seem insurmountable.  Many students’ struggle with this freshman coming of age and as a result, I have created some tips and tricks of the trade that have helped me survive freshman year.  Hopefully these may guide you safely and sanely through the trials and tribulations of being a freshman.  May the force be with you:

1. ·       Make sure you know where tutoring and office hours are before finding out where all the popular bars are to frequent.
2. ·           Plan out your schedule at the beginning of each week so you know what needs to get done if you plan on going out during the weekends.
3. ·       It's not detrimental going out during the week because it happens in college.  However, knowing sleep is hard to find ask yourself...Is it really worth it if you have an early class in the morning? It is recommended to get 8 hours of sleep a night but the body can suffice on 6 minimum.
4. ·       Make sure you are studying 3 hours a week per credit hour per class.  At the same time you don't have to study for 3 hours straight. Make sure you take mental breaks because if you are not focused then you are wasting more time when you could be doing something else.
5. ·      If you have garage band and the instrumental to your favorite song (and you think that you are a decent rapper or singer) take 10 minutes to record your voice over the instrumental with things to study so you can listen to them while walking around campus.  It is a nice study break making the song and then you can have fun studying by listening to your new song.
6. Organize the time efficiently and keep track of the schedule.
7. Focus on your work during study time makes work more efficiently and it can save time for playing.
8. Work hard, play harder.
9. Study everywhere and anywhere. 

Students should set up a schedule to allot their times. Thus, they can establish their priorities and effectively execute them.  They should avoid doing their homework last minute because it will cause a great deal of stress, It’s important to study but also have fun occasionally. Participating in fun activities is a good way to relieve stress. However, every weekend does not need to be a party weekend. Thus, balancing work and play is an important aspect of the college life.

                                                        Nia Green,  Despina Hadjiagapiou, Sheng Jin, Yuqing Zhang