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When it comes to balancing an academic and social life, many students may feel stuck in a dilemma: “I either skip my friends tonight, or write that long five-page term paper that is due early tomorrow morning.” Does this thought sound familiar to you?
In an effort to understand better why some students seem to grasp this concept of balance better than others, psychologist Janet Millar at CSUB’s Counseling Center explains, “Students who have achieved a successful balance have done this: set being successful at school as a priority, completed a weekly schedule to determine how much study time they actually need and scheduled in some social time.”
“In addition, successful balancers have learned how to say no to offers that conflict with their academic priorities,” Millar said.
To help balance your academic and social life, keep the following tips in mind as the quarter begins:
Organize yourself. Purchase a planner. This will help you keep track of and manage your time.
Say no to procrastination. Start working on your difficult assignments as soon as you can. This allows you to spend a reasonable amount of time on them, so at the end you will have more time to spend with family and friends.
Schedule study sessions moderately. Try not to spend too much time studying or vice versa. Studying is very important, but it should not take over the course of your life, as social interactions are also crucial in maintaining a healthy mindset.
Keep in touch with others. According to Millar, “A good balance between academics and social life will actually leave a student feeling happier and less guilty or shamed, therefore making them able to enjoy any social activity much more.”
Ask for help. If your assignment is too complicated and you feel that you would benefit from someone guiding you through, ask your professor for help or visit a CSUB tutoring center. They are always willing to help you.