California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

California Lutheran University's Student Newspaper Since 1961

The Echo

    Achieve the perfect balance in all areas of life

    As college students, we are stretched thin in order to finish everything we need to get done. There is usually a choice between sleep, studying and socializing.

    Most people would say that they can balance all of them well, but in reality, one of the three will get the short end of the stick.

    โ€œI think we can attest to trying to successfully accomplish all three of these areas,โ€ said senior coordinator for student involvement and Wellness Programs, Amanda Namba. โ€œBut in the end, one [area] probably does end up suffering more than other areas.โ€

    It is doable, but itโ€™s difficult.

    โ€œI think it takes a lot of work to successfully balance all three,โ€ said junior Jessica Webster.

    Personally, I definitely try to balance all of them. I donโ€™t really feel like I have any other choice. Without sleep Iโ€™m cranky, but I get by on caffeine. Those that know me will say that I pretty much always have a Starbucks cup in my hand.

    โ€œI think that it is possible to do all three,โ€ said junior Anna McCree. โ€œI think that people find it difficult to balance all three only if they have poor time management.โ€

    I have to work as well. I really need to balance work among other things in my schedule because I like to be busy. Being busy is better than bored. That has been my motto for as long as I can remember.

    Learning to cut out the less important things to make room for your important long-term projects is necessary.

    โ€œI sometimes feel like I need to choose studies and sleep over socializing,โ€ said Webster. โ€œBut sometimes I just make time for all three by making certain days homework days.โ€

    Combining social time with studying works for some, but not for me. I canโ€™t focus to save my life.

    McCree agrees and believes that it depends on the person. Some can live on a few hours of sleep, and some need a full eight hours. My perfect nightโ€™s sleep is six hours.

    โ€œSleep helps keep us going. People donโ€™t realize that sometimes their stress is perpetuated because of lack of sleep. Sleep is needed, even for those who think they can function on little to no sleep,โ€ said Namba. โ€œAnd for people who like to pull all-nighters, many donโ€™t realize that 17 hours of sustained wakefulness leads to a decrease in performance equivalent to a blood alcohol-level of 0.05 percent.โ€

    I definitely notice a difference when I get enough sleep. I fell asleep the other night at 8 p.m. and woke up feeling amazing.

    But how often is working out the only thing I have to do at night? Never.

    Balance is really the key to everything. Finding a proper balance between all of your daily tasks is important in order to get a great college experience and is also great practice for the real world.

    Start learning how to balance your life. Make time to sleep, go to the gym and hang out with friends while also getting your work done, whether it is school or a job.
    For those who have questions about maintaining a schedule, please see iCal. Itโ€™s the only way I am able to schedule my life.

     

    Miles George
    Staff Writer
    Published Nov. 14. 2012

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