The Work/Life Balance
Bills, bills, and more bills to pay. The life of a college student is brutal and relentless to our bank accounts. I used to have money/a career and expensive hobbies into the mix and had myself a cocktail that’s bigger than my net worth. But the show goes on and so do the classes.
Dedication.
The trick to financial success is to know your limits, budgets, and capabilities. Some students can reasonably balance ten hours a week with classes and still maintain a respectable Dean’s list GPA. Others, such as myself, find that to not only to be detrimental to my GPA, but financially impossible. I find working at least thirty hours a week a necessity. This isn’t only for my finances but for my time management.
Once you decide on how many hours a week you can handle, next comes the decision of where to work. Sometimes, in my case, two jobs help balance the decision of whether to work a career-beneficial job or a well paid job. As with many internships they typically don’t pay what other less career-involved jobs do (depending on your major, of course). I found that balancing an internship that’s directly beneficial for my resume’ with a job that pays well is perfect for me. I get the best of both worlds and found myself loving my other job enough to seek out future public relations positions with them.
Everyone, but especially a college student, must budget. Some of us have financial aid and loans that disburse and others have to work for every week. Neither is good or bad, but both take a dedication to budgeting. Plan your weeks and what you realistically spend and account for everything. Do you go out for coffee when you're, as usual, late to work or school, budget for it. Do you find yourself needing to indulge in some scrumptious fast food, budget for it. Budgets are key to living within your means and not creating debt you can’t expect to reasonably pay off. Plan, plan, and then stick to it, nearly any budget is possible with dedication and knowing your limits.
Beneficial Time Usage
Don’t do anything you don’t enjoy if you can help it. If you don’t like your major or career choice, change it as soon as possible. Spending too much time on social media, and not in a productive marketing way, should stop . Find what you enjoy and stick to it. Everyone has situations they need to deal with but limiting them is the trick.
Find an internship that’s most beneficial to you. Disregard how much it pays, if it even does. Decide where you want to be in your future career or where you think is most beneficial for you. I found that taking on several internships throughout my college career was best for me to find which niche of the industry I enjoy most.
Dedicate your limited spare time to beneficial clubs or organizations. I joined GrandPR, Advertising Club, and PRSSA and a few others because they are not only beneficial for my resume', but are great opportunity to indulge in future career choices. Clubs can separate you on a relentless job hunt. Or, if you’re still unsure of your major or what career path to choose, network within the club and its affiliates and seek further information from experienced individuals.
GPA
Set a goal of a 4.0 and stick to it. No, you will never be made fun of by anyone that matters for getting an A in your class. You may think, "who cares what my GPA is as long as I have the piece of paper that says I passed?" As with anything, balancing is the key. If you find you can be lazy in school and slack off, what else will begin to slack off? Dedicate yourself to everything you do. A high GPA might set you apart in an interview and who knows, maybe you’ll decide to do this whole college thing again. Getting into a post-graduate school or a doctoral program may not be what you’re thinking now, but it’s a possibility in the future.
Distractions.
Having time means having ways to steer away from beneficial time usage - from video games to useless internet browsing. Yes, some people can handle free time and use it wisely to unload from the stresses of college. However, as with everything, moderation is the key. I find my best way to de-stress is not to nap or play video games, but quite the opposite… the gym.
Body and Mind
If you have a stressful day, knock the stresses free into a heavy set of dumbbells. Lifting not your thing? Go for a run or a bike ride. The endorphins released from exercise of any kind will change the way you live your life. Stress can pile up and before you know it, let loose on your life in a detrimental way. Regular diet and exercise, as frequently pushed by your physician, can not only make you healthy, but remove unwanted stress. Whence you begin to have a passion for your particular exercise, indulge in it. A healthy lifestyle can not only remove stress, but make you more intelligent. I’m not saying you’ll wake up smarter after a good day’s workout and show Stephen Hawking who’s boss. What I mean is, a healthy body and reduced stress allow you to concentrate on your work. Sometimes, simply removing stressful distractions can improve how well you function through out your day. Plus, if you really become dedicated to a healthy lifestyle food and dieting have a major impact on the brain.
Schedules
It’s bad enough our class schedules take up roughly 15 hours a week without the added homework. Add in 30 hours of work a week plus five hours in the gym and it seems that the entire week is gone. Don’t let the adding of hours in your head overwhelm you, you can do it. Planning a schedule for the week seems daunting and controlling but depending on your availability it’s the crucial step in concurring a busy life.
- Add up your hours per day, what are you left with?
- Decide what has to be done when and write it down. For me, Google Calendar works best.
- Plan it out with reasonable time in-between to transition, i.e driving and walking times.
- Stick to it.
Balance
Stick to what you love and find a balance between the necessities. If you find you need video games to de-stress, play your games. If working at a bar at night pays the bills and you don’t mind the work, go for it. Everything that’s productive with balance and moderation is beneficial. College is a tough time financially and even personally but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that nearly everyone grows to miss. Enjoy it and stick to your passions.
Dedicate yourself to your passions and you’ll love waking up in the morning.
Ben Kaluski is an AD/PR major with an emphasis in PR. He came to GVSU from the suburbs of Chicago. Before returning to college he was an EMT in the Chicagoland area for several years working the 24 on 48 off shift. Having worked these hours Ben continues to dedicate his time while here in Allendale. Ben is currently the Vice President of Ad Club, a Marketing Associate at GVPD, an intern at AAF West Michigan, and a teller at LMCU. In his limited spare time he can be found in the Rec Center.