You're Doing Too Much! How and When to Say No
This blog post was written by Kathleen O'Brien, our Campus Ambassador from Syracuse University.
Today, there are no free blocks on my calendar, my “to do” list is a page long, and I slept for three hours last night. I have a problem: I do not know how to say no. As a student you have so many different things to juggle at once - classes, extracurriculars, internships, jobs, homework, friends and family. With all these different balls in the air, how do you keep it up?
In order to “do it all,” make a “to do” list!
Developing strong time management skills will help you stay focused and on task. It’s all a matter of prioritizing, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed take ten minutes to put everything you need to do in writing. Sometimes seeing it broken down relieves some stress. Write everything you have to do and then go back and number them in order of importance. Take a look and see if anything can wait. It’s hard to take one step at a time if everything is happening all at once.
Make sure school remains a priority!
With everything else going on, sometimes homework and classes can become a second thought. Remember you have invested a lot of time and resources to be in college and it’s important to make the most of it. Reach out to professors if you need help in your classes. They are there to help you!
Learn to value you!
Let’s face it, “doing it all” can sometimes take a toll on your body and mind. If you are too tired or stressed it’s likely that you are not able to put 110% effort into the things you do. You need time for you! Scheduling time to take a break is just as important as scheduling time to take work. If you have to, scale back! Ask yourself if what you are doing is worth it to you. And if the answer is no, get rid of it, and give yourself a break.
