Immersed in the depths of third year, I am quite frankly biting off more than I can chew- taking on 15 credits, 2 internships, and serving as a course assistant. Finding time to do homework, write essays, and study for tests when I’m working 20 hours a week has become nearly impossible. Despite time pressures that accompany such a stressful load, I must remember the importance of my unspoken 3-credit class: Me.
It can be so easy to lose yourself with such a chaotic schedule. I ultimately gain satisfaction by scrolling through Word documents, admiring the time and effort it takes to craft my finished essays, or by dramatically closing a hefty book after a long reading assignment. But if that’s the only kind of accomplishment I feel, I’m doing something wrong. I have to set aside time to focus on me or I will just become the Times New Roman name at the top of my essays or the social security number I use to clock in at work. I am more than that, but quite often, these formulaic versions of myself engulf what lies beneath. I think it’s time to work on my unspoken 3-credit class.
What exactly is this class? For me, it involves going to the gym, running, organizing game nights at my apartment, rock climbing, hiking, Facebook stalking, scrolling through Instagram, and getting lost in another world via Netflix. When assignments pile up, this class is sadly sent to the backburner. Before I know it, a full week has gone by without a single run, trip to the gym, or Netflix binge.
I hate failing classes, but I’m ultimately failing my unspoken 3-credit class. No, I’m not getting an actual grade in this class, but I can feel its effects. I don’t sleep well when my brain is consumed by academics. Watching an episode of Netflix or flocking to Social Media before going to bed helps to relax my mind for the entire night. Trying to squeeze in some form of exercise, even a 30 minute run, also alleviates restlessness and is essential for my wellbeing. Even when it seems like there’s no way I’ll have time to run, I can surely find 30 minutes to set aside for myself, especially if I think of it as a 3-credit class.
Classes come and go, but you are the one constant that exists in all of them. Perhaps it’s time to take control of your learning experience and focus on that constant because a happier and healthier you makes for a better student in any class. If you can master the skill of making time for yourself in the chaotic world of college, you’ll also be well equipped to juggle your life post-graduation. So march up to the podium, customize your syllabus, and be the best teacher and student of your most important 3-credit class: You.