How Do You Balance School, Work, and Your Social Life?
Writer:
One of the biggest adjustments you may face as a first-year college student is learning how to balance your schoolwork with everything else. But with the proper tools, you can become a work-life balance ninja. Here are two powerful strategies to set goals and priorities so that you can effectively budget your time.
Tools of discipline
Originally published in a book called The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck in 1978, the tools of discipline have withstood the test of time. The four steps offer a clear path to face problems and overcome challenges.
Acceptance of responsibility
What are your responsibilities? What are “musts,” not “wants”?
Do you need to maintain a certain GPA to keep your financial aid? To get into graduate school or secure a good internship?
Do you have a job? Do you require childcare?
Dedication to reality
How much can you realistically handle?
Can you stay up until 3am and still function in class the next day? Can you drink alcohol on weeknights and still function the next day? How much do you learn if you go to class high?
Delay of gratification
If you always do what you want before you do what you need, will you have enough time — and motivation — to do what you need?
Will the stress of unfinished tasks weigh you down and decrease your enjoyment of other activities?
Balancing (the above)
Do you ever give yourself a break, take the foot off the gas pedal, and just relax? Nobody can go full-speed 100% of the time, and that’s okay.
DBT’S PLEASE Skills
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) centers around learning to understand and accept difficult feelings. You don’t need to be in DBT to benefit from some of its strategies. PLEASE is an acronym designed to help you remember steps for emotional regulation so that you can make the healthiest decisions for yourself.
PL: Treat physical illness
Society sometimes elevates the idea that pushing through illness is more admirable than self-care.
Sometimes, you have no choice but to push through. But generally, you will be more effective if you take the steps and time to recover from illness.
E: Balance your eating
Your body is made from the food you eat, and your energy levels and mental state are hugely impacted by the foods you eat.
Eat a balanced diet (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and various vitamins and minerals), and don’t eat too much or too little.
A: Avoid mood-altering drugs
Many people will experiment with drugs at college. Be honest with yourself about the consequences they have on your mind and body.
Generally, when you take a psychoactive drug, your brain stops producing similar chemicals in an attempt to restore “homeostasis.” This contributes to hangovers or withdrawal symptoms.
Many substances (including alcohol) dehydrate you as well. Drink water!
S: Sleep
Some of your peers may brag about how little sleep they are getting; they are likely facing consequences, whether they admit it or not!
The average person needs 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Sleeping consistently is important! If you sleep 9 hours Thursday, 5 hours Friday, 5 hours Saturday, and 11 hours Sunday, that averages out to 7.5 hours per night. But you will NOT feel as rested as if you had slept 7.5 hours per night.
E: Exercise
The human body was built to move.
Most colleges and universities have a gym or fitness center.
Many will offer a variety of fitness classes, and most will also offer various intramural sports!
There is no one “best” way to exercise. Do what works for your mind and body.
Budgeting your time
How much time should you devote to each aspect of a healthy, well-balanced life? There are 168 hours in a week. So for a hypothetical student with a full course load, a part-time job, and no other responsibilities...
60 hours for sleep
15 hours for class
25-30 hours for studying and homework
10 hours for meals
20 hours for P/T job
That would leave about 35-40 hours for free time, like going to parties, extracurriculars, and so on.
If you have a learning disability, you may need more time for studying. Be realistic with yourself.
What else can you do for fun?
College has no shortage of creative, fun, healthy ways for you to spend your time. Here are just a few ideas.
Check out your school’s “student activities” office
Your school probably hosts free or cheap student events. Things like trivia night, dances, comedy shows, concerts, etc.
You can also find a calendar for things like sporting events, a cappella concerts, band performances, student plays/musicals, etc.
Join a club
Your school likely has a club day or activities fair early in the year.
Some clubs are more academic, some are more for fun. Either way, they’re a great way to meet people with similar interests!
Play intramural or club sports
These teams focus on fun over competition.
They’re another great way to meet people while also staying physically active.
September 19, 2025
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