A wise
man once said, “You have as many hours in a day as Beyoncé.” And while this
statement rings true, the fact of the matter is, life’s elements of prioritizing
and time management are true art forms in themselves. Managing the
professional, scholastic, and extracurricular pillars of life require much more
than Starbucks, a trustworthy alarm clock or a glam squad.
To be
a thriving student and an exemplary employee, it takes more than long hours on the
clock and late-night study sessions. Take it from me: I’m Nyidera Edwards, a
Peirce student who balances work, school, and life every day. I’ve found that to
be successful in these avenues, you must be functioning as the best version of
yourself – mentally, physically and emotionally. Nevertheless, with
pending deadlines, personal crises and life’s general stress, this can
sometimes seem easier said than done. Luckily, I have been able to find a way
to balance it all without allowing myself to get too overwhelmed and worn out. Let
me share with you some of my advice on how I’ve been able to make it work.
One of
the most vital factors in living a balanced student life may resonate as the timeless,
maternal advice that we’ve loathed since we were children: “you must sleep.” Sleep
is imperative in the healthy maintenance of a busy schedule because you simply
cannot run on Dunkin™ your
entire life. Your body and your mind need efficient rest for superior function
and focus. But, bear in mind, sleep schedules are not a one-size-fits-all
arrangement. The key is to listen to your body and pay attention to the amount
of rest that it requires. Your thinking will be much clearer and your brain
will absorb information much better!
The
next element of balance is to take control of the hustle; but, never let the
hustle take control of YOU. With that being said, remember to make time for the
things that bring you happiness and peace of mind. Spend time with loved ones,
plan a night out or maybe even a night-in to relax and decompress. Becoming
stressed and overwhelmed with life’s daily hurdles can be detrimental to your
overall well-being. Remember, your overall energy and state of mind are
directly correlated with your relationships, your work ethic and your ability
to focus.
Finally,
you must remain conscious of your mental and physical wellness. In order to
truly maximize your full potential in a day’s work, you must properly fuel your
body. Have a little avocado with your eggs; toss some blueberries into your
oatmeal; treat yourself to a rich bar of dark chocolate – these “brain” foods
and so many more can be greatly beneficial in keeping your brain and body going
all day long.
As a
last piece of advice – for every morning that you want to just stay in bed and
hibernate or those Saturday evenings that you spend with your nose in your
textbooks, remind yourself of the why. “Why
do I make these sacrifices?” “Why are these moments so pivotal to my life?” The
answer is simple: it’s because you have dreams, goals and ambitions. But the
truth of the matter is – every story of success will have pitfalls and hard
times. Just remember, there is a silver-lining in every cloud and you can do this!
