By Amelia Yann, Middle Tennessee State University TSCPA Student Ambassador
Achievements in academics can lead
to future success as a professional. Your coursework and activities are
preparing you to handle a real-world job situation, which can require extra effort
and time. Nowadays, that extra time is hard to find for many people. The time
required to also have a social life and take care of yourself can seem
impossible to find, but a well-adjusted work and social life can play a big
part in your academic success. Balancing school with everything else might
present some challenges, but hopefully the following points can guide you
towards behaviors and habits that lead to success as a student and future
professional.
Prioritize and Organize
This
can be applied to anything, from your day-to-day schedule to your yearly
calendar. Take a step back and look at the big picture of your life. When do
your classes or organizations begin and end? How many hours can you work
weekly? What big projects or deadlines require more time or planning? Asking
yourself these things can help you set “big picture” goals. These goals can
then be broken down into weekly and daily tasks that are more manageable and
therefore more achievable! Writing daily and weekly tasks in one place and
organizing them by deadline and importance will help you focus on what you need
to do and when you need to get things done.
“NO” Your Limits
Many
students have other obligations outside of class. Commitments like jobs, clubs and
hobbies are helpful to developing yourself as an individual but might demand
quite a bit of your time. Create a schedule that balances your academic and work
obligations with your social life, and do not be afraid to set boundaries. If
you do not feel like you have the time or interest in something, say “no” and
stick to it. Find the groups and activities that bring meaning to your student experience
and that you genuinely like. It will make college much more enjoyable for you!
Build a Network
It
is so important to have both a professional network and a personal support
network to be successful in college. The teachers and professionals you
interact with during college are there as resources and supporters as you continue
to grow. They want to help you become better, so do not be afraid to reach out
and ask questions! You should also surround yourself with people (in and out of
your major) that care about you. Peers, friends and family can help you through
a difficult time or even just listen and give advice - their perspective could
help you see or approach things in your life in a different way.
Take Care of Yourself!
Maintaining
your mental, physical and emotional health is crucial to your long-term
success. Create easy daily routines that prioritize your health. Also, take
time for breaks from your work. It can be something as simple as a five-minute
walk or even taking a night to eat dinner with a friend. Stepping away from
your work is an excellent opportunity to check in and make sure you are still
able to give your best to what you are doing.
