Sleep vs. Social Life: Finding Balance in College

 One of the most important components of college life is one’s social life; this aspect of one’s life influences one’s contacts, acquaintances, and, most importantly, themselves. Rest is another key aspect of a person’s life that has a significant impact on many aspects of college life. College students who don’t get enough sleep may experience problems in their daily lives, which, in addition, affects their social lives, which can lead to inactivity within campus involvement. Without adequate sleep, no one can fully restore their supply of energy and be of maximum help to others. College students must prioritize and set aside enough time for themselves when balancing their studies, extracurricular activities, social gatherings, and part-time jobs. While participating in campus events can make college life more enjoyable overall, putting personal requirements last can have a negative impact on a person’s emotional, mental, and physical health.

The importance of creating a sleep schedule

Being a college student can be so strenuous to the point where you find yourself trying to catch up on sleep after doing so much within one day. The more sleep you miss, the more challenging it becomes to focus throughout your day and complete tasks. Since sleep is so important to a person’s schedule, setting up a sleep schedule to accommodate yourself while in college can be quite helpful in ensuring that you can function during the day.  Making this plan, which is similar to setting up a bedtime but you’re in charge of it this time and not your parents, can help you mentally and physically block out a specific time to sleep. Although it may be challenging to always follow this schedule at all times, it’s all about consistency , the more and more you push yourself to abide by a particular schedule, the easier it’ll become  to manage this schedule. 

When it comes to campus life, give your interests first priority

As a college student and young adult, life is all about prioritization and managing what works best for you.  When it comes to campus life, it’s important to be involved in something that caters towards your interests in some way. If you join an organization or go to an event that doesn’t spark any type of interest,  it won’t benefit you. Setting priorities for what works best for you on campus can not only make your schedule seem lighter, but it will also ease the transition when it comes time to commit to some of the things these groups or activities might ask for. When students  choose to engage in an organization where they  benefit from it rather than doing something based off of enjoyment. 

Set time aside for you

It might be challenging for students to take care of themselves when it comes to college and adulthood because we can get caught up with so many things, but self-care is an essential skill to have in order to maintain balance. When you set aside time for yourself, it allows you to refocus on the things that really  matter and the  tasks that might need to be accomplished at hand. Additionally, Taking time for yourself recharges your energy for whatever obligations you have to accomplish during the day, especially if you’re participating in campus life, which takes a lot of time. 

Involve yourself in activities that set you up for success

Any college student should already know that there is nearly always some sort of organization or activity to join that can support their interests, and if there isn’t one already, they can start their own. Involving yourself in things that cater to your interests not only feels more natural but also allows you to  be exposed to more people socially and teaches you that there is a balance when it comes to campus involvement while trying to maintain  your  social life. How much free time a student has depends on the rigor of the activity or organization in which they are involved. For example, if you are in a leadership position or a student leader, the responsibilities of that position may need more of your time than someone who is a general body member in an organization. When it comes to knowing these campus activities and groups, it’s always about finding what’s best for you and knowing what you want out of your college experience.

College, like adulthood, is all about experiences, and one of the most enjoyable things to do while in college is to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Although college is a lot of fun, it is also essential to take advantage of your downtime to recharge yourself and your social battery. Never forget to prioritize yourself and your needs physically, mentally, and emotionally.