Time. What a word. Loved and hated, used as an excuse and seen as a vice. Time is difficult to fully understand. How often do we say we wish we could alter time? We make mistakes, and we wish we could go back and stop ourselves from doing so. We have something exciting coming up, and we wish we could skip everything from now until then. Why do we do this? Why can’t we just enjoy the present? Well, dear readers, probably because the present is not all that pleasant most of the time.
So many people, particularly college students, struggle with the art of time management. Between academics, extracurricular involvement, social obligations, Greek life and personal time, we are often stressed. We cry, “There aren’t enough hours in the day!” We forgo sleep or relaxation to complete tasks. Rather than turn to sleep or healthy outlets when we have a free moment, binge drinking and other assorted irresponsible behaviors are used to fill the void.
How can we fix this? The easy answer is “do less,” but this is probably not feasible. Everything we do means a lot to us. We wouldn’t do it if it didn’t. Regardless, there is a fine line between just enough and too much on our plates. With this in mind, it is important to remember the most important thing is your personal health and state of mind, not your deadlines or commitments. I can’t pretend I don’t forget this sometimes, but I have a few tips for myself for when the going gets tough.
First, prioritize. If that assignment isn’t due for two weeks, and it will only take a couple of hours, stop stressing about it. If that event isn’t mandatory, and you have an exam tomorrow, stay home and study. If you’re sick and need to rest, don’t worry about that thing you were supposed to have done but could probably wait a day. Nothing is more important than your health. Plus, you’ll do a better job when you’re back in normal working order.
Secondly, try to spend less time doing things that waste your precious time. I’m not saying stop having fun. I’m saying stop spending six hours a day on Facebook. Stop spending so much time thinking and stressing about what you should be doing, and instead make like Shia LeBeouf — just do it. You’ll be amazed by how much extra time you’ll have on your hands.
Finally, try to enjoy your life. If you don’t, there’s no point. Now I’m not endorsing your lifelong dream to just give up, drop out and spend your days lying in bed watching reality TV. However, if what you are doing does not make you happy, then don’t do it. Being productive and hating it is worse than doing nothing at all. You don’t owe anything to anyone. This is your life and your time. Do what will make you feel the happiest and most fulfilled.
Suddenly, your commitments may stop feeling so much like chores. I hope you wake up every day excited to take on the tasks you’ve set for yourself. If not, you can change it. You’re not stuck. Keep a balance. Take care of yourself. Most importantly, love your life. You deserve it.
Taylor Cavaliere is a UF psychology and journalism sophomore. Her column appears on Mondays.
