Lauren Davis
McKay Student Ambassador
Early Childhood Education
Life can sometimes get so busy and seem hard to balance. There's school, work, friends, church calling and so much more. At times life can feel overwhelming and a little too much. As a college student, this can be a very common feeling. I am definitely no expert when it comes to balancing life, especially academics but here are a few things that I do that help :)
Jesus First
I know it sounds cheesy and you have probably heard it a million times at church and different devotionals, but I know that putting Christ first is always the answer to every problem.
I love Matthew 6: 33-34, which says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself..."
This scripture is just a testament that as we prioritize God, He will take care of the rest. I know that to be true as I make time to study to scriptures and go to the Temple, God blesses me with more time to do the things I need to get done.
Stay Organized
This was a skill that I learned on my mission to keep up with the busy schedule and have kept using it since, which is weekly planning. I am a nerd when it comes to Google Calendars. I put everything in my calendar from when I am going to wake up, when I have class, to when I am going to eat dinner. Plus, it is color-coded and everything.
Most days, I do not follow it exactly, but it helps me see how much time I have in the day and what I need to do that day, such as classes and homework assignments. Recently, it seems like there are not enough hours in the day.
Having a digital calendar helps me see and set my priorities clearly. I set aside time to do my homework and hang out with friends in the evenings. My digital calendar helps me to manage my time and see what I need to accomplish first. This way, I can get my acadamic stuff done first and know what time I have for myself and friends.
Self Care
I am very passionate about self care and making time for yourself. I feel like sometimes college students do not do this enough. During nights when I struggled to focus on my homework, hanging out with friends was the perfect way to relieve some stress and then go back to studying.
My thought process is asking myself if it is going to matter in 5 years. While assignments are still important to do, making memories are just as important. Don't feel guilty for making plans with your friends. I've learned that my assignments is not the sole priority in my college career and connecting with others has helped me be feel less stressed.
Personally, I prioritize making personal connections more than getting straight A's because to me, the people I care about matter more in 5 years than my grades. When I prioritize my own mental needs, I am a better human and student.
With all of this being said I am so thankful for this opportunity that I have to get an education at BYU, but life continues on outside of your class. As Hank Smith once said in class " Get C's and go make friends". It is so important to balance your academic and personal life. So set aside time for your school work but also set aside time for yourself and friends.
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