Hey Em… I’m stressed. But then again, what college student isn’t? I’m stressed because I’ve curated my schedule to fit my classes in the morning, work at noon and extracurriculars in the evening — but I find myself with no time to eat lunch! I’m playing a sport I love but it takes up too much of my time! I’m overwhelmed, sleepless and can’t retain any information from my lectures. My friends don’t understand. What do you do to make sure everything falls on a perfect balance? When do you know too much is too much?
By Cameran Steiger ’26
Staff Writer
Hi Stressed,'
Thank you for writing in; it sounds like you’re handling a lot right now, and I’m happy to give some advice. First, I want you to know that you aren’t isolated in your struggle. Many college students (and student-athletes in particular!) have a difficult time striking the right balance between academics and additional responsibilities. This is something that I’ve experienced recently as well, and here are some things that worked for me when I was trying to do it all.
1. Learn how to prioritize. You are totally capable of doing it all, but you can’t do it all at the same time. When you’re juggling too many things, you have to figure out which balls will break and which can bounce. What balls can you drop without lasting damage? Determining which category each of your responsibilities falls into is part of a practice called prioritization. I suggest that you find a few minutes to make a list of all of the tasks you have going on right now. Then, reorder these tasks into a list from highest priority (very breakable if you drop the ball) to lowest priority (bouncy). Activities like getting good sleep and eating three square meals a day should be at the top of your list, because they provide the energy foundation for everything else you want to do. You can apply prioritization to tasks (like workouts, individual assignments and shifts) and also overarching roles, responsibilities and values (academics, athletics, extracurriculars, jobs, etc.). Determining what’s really important to you can guide time management and provide a blueprint for where to invest your time and energy.
2. Communication is key. Like I said before, managing stress and a busy schedule isn’t an isolated experience. Almost everyone around you has had the same struggle at some point in their life, and likely understands your position more than you think: including your professors, coaches, bosses and peers. These people are part of your support system and they want to help you be your best self, but they won’t know that you need support if you don’t tell them. Although it’s difficult to be vulnerable when you’re struggling, I suggest reaching out to your support system and communicating your situation. Often, professors are willing to slightly extend deadlines, and peers are happy to negotiate club responsibilities for a short while. It’s certainly worth a shot!
3. Protect your free time. This semester, I started blocking out a couple hours of “protected time” every week: a chunk of reserved time without any meetings, work shifts or plans with friends. When you have a busy schedule, it’s easy for all of your free time to get swallowed up by responsibilities, but part of a healthy work-life balance is protecting the time that you have off from all other responsibilities. This time can be used in whatever way will be most helpful for you at the moment. Sometimes I use this “protected time” to catch my breath by journaling, crafting, or spending quality alone time with my cat. Other times, I use it to catch up on miscellaneous tasks that slipped through the cracks, or tidy up my space (since having a messy room undoubtedly contributes to feelings of stress). Above all, I like to use this time as a planning period, where I can organize my thoughts and best prepare for the week ahead. This is when I create a priority list of assignments and responsibilities, peek ahead at my schedule and create a plan of action for getting things done. Knowing when my next “protected time” falls and having a game plan for everything between then and now helps me feel less overwhelmed.
You asked, “How do I know too much is too much?” and from what you’ve written, I’m inclined to believe that you’ve hit that threshold. Please remember that pushing yourself past the point of exhaustion in hopes of “doing it all” won’t benefit you or your goals in the long run. If you go too long without hitting the pause button, your body tends to do it for you. Be kind and give yourself time and space to figure all of it out. Striking the right balance isn’t a one-and-done situation, it’s a process that you will continue to refine and renegotiate over time. I hope my words can start you down that journey.
Yours,
Emily